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Taiwanese knock off bandsaw find

6K views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Brawler 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
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I recently picked up an old bandsaw (my first one) from a local "farmer" for $50. The table had some surface rust, but the bearings seem great and the motor has been replaced with a Baldor 1hp farm duty motor that guns along at 1725 rpm so smooth. There is almost no vibration (passed the nickel on end test) and I thought I was in the clear! I got it home and started cleaning it up and when I got the old dull blade off, I noticed that even though it's a 14" saw, the blade was only 91.5" and the saw won't take a 93.5" blade. So after taking a few measurements, the wheels are only 13.75" in diameter and the centers of the wheels have a range of 23.5" to 25". I would like the convenience of being able to use 93.5" blades and I'm considering adding a 3/4 inch riser block. I have some 3/4" aluminum pieces that I could cut up to use. I've seen Matthias Wandel's video about his diy wood riser block. I think the aluminum would be better than the wood, but is it worth the hassle? Should I just get my blades at custom length at 92"? That seems like just as big of a hassle to me.
 

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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
It is 91.5 or 92.5? There were some 14" band saws that used a 92.5 blade.

While 92.5 inch blades are not commonly stocked at wood working stores, they are available from several sources for same cost as common 93.5 found in wood working stores. There are also folks who can make custom sizes, like: https://www.toolcenter.com/BLADES_TO_SIZE.html

There are some wood working forum posts elsewhere that suggest that the tension mechanism can be adjusted to allow use of larger 93.5 inch blades. Never attempted it when I owned one of those saws. Just ordered shorter blades.

YMMV
 
#4 ·
The blade that came off was definitely 91.5". I believe a 92.5" would barely fit and put it at the max extent of its current range.
It is 91.5 or 92.5? There were some 14" band saws that used a 92.5 blade.

While 92.5 inch blades are not commonly stocked at wood working stores, they are available from several sources for same cost as common 93.5 found in wood working stores. There are also folks who can make custom sizes, like: https://www.toolcenter.com/BLADES_TO_SIZE.html

There are some wood working forum posts elsewhere that suggest that the tension mechanism can be adjusted to allow use of larger 93.5 inch blades. Never attempted it when I owned one of those saws. Just ordered shorter blades.

YMMV

- CaptainKlutz
 
#6 ·
I have basically the same band saw. It is a 1983 model made by KFF (King Feng Fu Machinery Ltd. in Taiwan). Mine runs great, and it has a 91 1/2 inch blade as well. I bought a blade from PS Wood Machines (PSwood.com) - a 1/4" 6TPI Timberwolf for $16 and some change.
 
#8 ·
If you have trouble finding 91.5" blades, it is very easy to make your own by either cutting down a longer one or buying blade material in bulk and brazing them to length. All you need is a propane torch and some silver solder (45% or 56% works good). A shop made jig helps to hold it and keep it straight during brazing. You can find You Tube videos on the subject or I can explain how I do it if needed.
 
#9 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a 14" Buffalo brand that's probably a clone of yours. I did that exact thing by placing a 3/4 or 1 inch riser block in it. Now I can use standard blades in this thing.

I made a few other modifications to it as well.
The next one being a new blade cover made from wood to replace the plastic one that no longer fit.
I also made a dust collection port on the lower cover right under the throat.
Then I made an extension and crank handle for the tensioning mechanisim to make it easier to de-tension the blade (which I never do.)
And then I put a Carter guide on the top side and urethane tires on it.

I use it all the time, and rarely feel like I need a larger better saw. One of these days I may upgrade….
 
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