Band Saw Tune-Up

[foakes]

One of the handiest stationary tools in my shops are bandsaws.  Got a couple.

I use these of course, for controlled and quick curved cuts, resawing lengths of scrap or seasoned timber into useful pieces for furniture, bookshelves, cutting boards, and a lot more.

Am getting ready to turn some bowls on the lathe —- and after gluing up 1X into solid stacks —- the bandsaw makes the rough initial material removal efficient and easy before getting into the lathe work.

Wanted to use this 14" bandsaw for that type of work.  But discovered that the rubber "tires" on the blade wheels were busted and needed replacement.  I picked it up used about 20 yers ago, and used it a few times.

So ordered some new orange urethane tires on Amazon. 

Installed them, then took off the table, squared to dead-on 90°, adjusted the upper and lower blade guides, lubed the bearings after blowing out the unit inside the shrouds.

Works very well and accurate cuts with no loose wandering.

This bandsaw, and the 8" jointer work well together to make useful items and projects out of scrap timber and leftover wood pieces.

You would be surprised at the amount of great wood that you can get out of throw-away pallets.

Shop equipment maintenance this week and next.

Best, Fred

[oldmanjoe]

  Nothing like new tires and a sharp blade ..   Old tires knock the set out of the teeth pretty quick .  I do love my pallet wood finds !!   

[Midway Tommy]

Nothing like new tires and a sharp blade ..   Old tires knock the set out of the teeth pretty quick .  I do love my pallet wood finds !!   

Most pallet building companies around here us $hitty old cottonwood, which is probably one of the more wothless woods around. They use it because it's plentiful in the plains. About the only thing cottonwood is good for is roasting wienies & marshmellows.     

[Keta]

  I do love my pallet wood finds !!   

I apprenticed in a hardwood plywood mill and the pallets the hardwood veneer came on were usualy the same wood.  I salvaged a lot of fancy hardwood.

My "vintage" bandsaw is 1/2 way through a rebuild but is set aside until we have a house.

[oldmanjoe]

At on time ,I went hot and heavy into woodworking .  I would go to the industrial parks for my finds .  Most was pine and oaks and poplar .

I do have a guest bedroom that is called the Pallet bedroom .
floor  baseboards trims crown molding and all the furniture in the room are reclaimed wood .

[foakes]

Beautiful work, Joe —-

You are a craftsman of the highest order!

I took the liberty of reorienting your photos right side up.

Beautiful work!

Most of the pallets we can get around here in California are of high quality woods.  Lots of oak, pine, DF, alder.  Generally free.

Best, Fred

[Keta]

NICE!!!!

[rcmsangab]

Wow! Beautiful work.

[Midway Tommy]

Never been a fan of big Alder or #2 Pine, except for maybe in a rustic ol' cabin. I'm  a clear (no knots) wood kind of guy, but obtaining nice clear boards, even in hardwoods, is becoming more difficult year by year. 

That's some nice looking wood working craftsmanship you did there, though, Joe! 👍

[oldmanjoe]

I keep a eye out for old grown wood , just because of grain structure .
    I do invite people to sit on the fence with me .    Cypress split rail fence turned into a rocker and a cabinet from a western red cedar sign that used to be in the front entryway of the neighborhood .