Wells Bandsaw

[LJP]

A project that I didn't expect so quickly came along, although I knew it would have to be dealt with at some time. I paid short money for a small Wells bandsaw, that had lived a tough life. Several of the castings had old weld repairs, including the motor housing. It was however working when I bought it. When used for small bar stock there was no problem, but the first time I put in 4" x 4" x 1/2" thick angle iron in it, it quickly overheated. Smoking overheated!
Closer inspection showed the armature was visably wobbleing. Time for a new motor. Not so simple as just bolt a new one on. This motor pivots off a large 1.375" dia. stud to tension the drive belt. The bracket is cast as part of the motor housing. Fun.
Letting the bandsaw cool between cuts, it made it through a 3" dia. junk yard piece of steel. Set up in the 4 jaw, I drilled a 7/8" hole, 5.5" deep with the largest MT bit I had (that was long enough). I then bored that hole to 1.375" dia.
Now I have never bored anything with a boring bar before, so it was new territory for me. The only instruction I have had is on YouTube. I used a homemade 5/8" dia. boring bar, with a hand ground HSS tool bit. It worked quite well. My tool shape is perhaps not exactly what I should have used, maybe too "pointy", but I am sure someone will tell me how it should have been shaped (please do).

I have 2 old motors, 1 is a 2HP, 3 ph, and 1 is 1/2 HP single phase. both 1750 rpm. I am guessing I need the 2 hp???
I have other motors, but they are all 3450 rpm. I am guessing I want the slower 1750 rpm???
I am guessing because the old motor has no nameplate, but is 3 ph.
Opinions please.

Some pictures, and more to come as I progress on the project!
Thanks, Larry

   
   
   
   

[EdK]

My Enco 5x6 bandsaw has a 1/2HP motor on it and I've never had it bog down on me at all.

Ed

[oldgoaly]

my Johnson model R has a 1/2hp 1725 3ph motor, the Keller no5 is a 1/2hp 1725 rpm 1ph. everything should spin freely.

[PixMan]

Larry,

Anytime you take on something new and want more reassurance than what you get watching a YouBoob video, just ping me. I would have been happy to bring you a bigger drill, a better boring bar and some real experience to get you going safe and happy.

Looks like you did OK, but if you do need any help going forward just let me know. I seem to have a few boring bars that need to do some work. They're feeling neglected.

[LJP]

(10-08-2013, 11:42 PM)PixMan Wrote: Larry,

Anytime you take on something new and want more reassurance than what you get watching a YouBoob video, just ping me. I would have been happy to bring you a bigger drill, a better boring bar and some real experience to get you going safe and happy.

Looks like you did OK, but if you do need any help going forward just let me know. I seem to have a few boring bars that need to do some work. They're feeling neglected.

Ken,
Thanks for the offer of use of tools and experienced knowledge.
I see that your boring bars are all carbide insert type. I would be interested in how you would have ground a HSS cutter.
Thanks, Larry

[Mayhem]

(10-09-2013, 04:02 AM)LJP Wrote: ...I see that your boring bars are all carbide insert type. I would be interested in how you would have ground a HSS cutter...

I can answer that one: Under great duress and desperation

Just kidding, Ken actually had to grind a HSS bit so that I could put a thread relief groove in the bottom of blind bore that needed threading. I've spent quite a few hours in Ken's shop now and I would highly recommend that you take the opportunity if you are able to. It is rare that someone with the knowledge and experience that Ken has opens their doors so readily.

[LJP]

Next few steps for the new motor bracket accomplished.
1)Cut a slot vertically on a big Do-All bandsaw at the local trade school. 2)Milled a pocket, and drilled and tapped for a 1/4-20 pinch bolt.

Need to get back to paying customers work.
Larry