Old bandsaw attachment

[kas20amc02]

Hi everyone. I would like to add a bandsaw to my Shopsmith. I can’t find any newer models for sale in my area but I did find this really old one. Is it worth buying?

Many thanks,
Karl

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[chapmanruss]

Karl,

I'm not sure where you are located but I like to find larger Shopsmith items for sale locally. A plus is no shipping like buying on ebay. If you are patient, the right one may come along.

As for the Greenie Bandsaw in the pictures, it is a good Bandsaw like all years the Bandsaw has been made beginning in 1955. That said, it has the Cast Iron Table as opposed to the newer Aluminum Table. Both have their pluses and minuses. Unless upgraded it would have the old Roller Guides in the upper and lower Guide assemblies and the auto tracking roller. These are in need of very regular attention to cleaning and lubrication. It can be upgraded to the new guide bearings. Age may require replacing the tires on the upper and lower wheels. There have been other changes to the Bandsaw over the years. One was the addition of a nylon screw added to the Guide Column Bracket as show below. It helps with stabilizing the Upper Guide Assembly.

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Guide Bracket.JPG (75.17 KiB) Viewed 72096 times

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There have been several changes/improvements to the cover over the years which include a dust collection port and the addition of a window and slot for adjusting the blade tension without removing the cover. The Aluminum Table has a Fence option along with a Table Extension option and a circle cutter guide. For the Cast Iron Table the Mark V 500 Miter can be used as a Fence.

You did not say the asking price and it is a bit hard to tell from just a couple pictures its true condition. Both the upper and lower Wheels should turn freely and smoothly. If not the bearing in the lower Wheel may need replacing. The upper Wheel has needle bearings that need periodic lubricating (grease) and if worn or damaged the upper Wheel may need replacing. You could spend more money bringing it to a better condition than getting one already to use in good operating condition. As an example, I have a 1998 Bandsaw which has the Aluminum Table ready to sell. I would sell it for $200 which is comparable to ones found at times here in the Northwest.


One of my Magna/Shopsmith Bandsaws is a 1956 Greenie I restored to original condition. It runs as well as my main Bandsaw with the Aluminum Table and the current upgrades.
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[kas20amc02]

Many thanks Russ. Those are some of my concerns as well. The seller did not list it individually but I wouldn’t pay more than $100, given all the repairs and maintenance that I might need to do.

I found a real nice one in Dallas on Facebook, but that is too far away to drive. I will be patient and wait for a newer one.

Karl

[chapmanruss]

While you are waiting to find the "right" one you can become familiar with the Bandsaw by downloading the manuals for both the older Cast Iron Table one and the newer Aluminum Table one. They are available for free here on the Shopsmith website under Learn then Manuals & Information. With the manuals you can learn the differences in using the Cast Iron Table vs the Aluminum Table. It may help you decide which way to go. It may also give you some help on things to look for when buying a used Shopsmith Bandsaw.

The link below is for the Cast Iron Bandsaw Manual. Print date 12/82

https://e97bc367-53c2-4abb-ada4-950111f ... 7d45c6.pdf

The link below is for the Aluminum Table Bandsaw. Print date 09/03

https://e97bc367-53c2-4abb-ada4-950111f ... 205b8c.pdf

Keep in mind that in the case of both manuals they are only one manual version for each so there can be differences depending on the age of an actual Bandsaw compared to the date the manual was created. Both have additional supplements.

[kas20amc02]

Although my options have been severely limited in my 6 month hunt so far, do you have one you would recommend?

Also, is the circle cutting jig any good? I have two band saw blanks I glued up this month and would like to cut them into bowls. I may try my tiny band saw or borrow a friend’s as I am inpatient!


Karl

[br549]

Everyone has their favorite ways of searching, and as a non-Facebook user, I tend to check Craigslist and ebay. As you may already know, you can set up alerts for keyword searches so you will be noticed on each of those platforms when a new item is listed, and set distance limits. For Craigslist, spelling Shopsmith as two words (Shop Smith) may get you additional results. Sometimes ebay sellers offer local pickup. And, you may want to consider adding your general location to your profile, so others members can help you in your search.

[thunderbirdbat]

You may also want to do a search of local auctions and estate sales. I sometimes find them listed there but not any place else.

[tdorey]

I like the older table better. You don't have to remove it when going to drill press mode. And you can use the miter guage as a fence. You will need to add a cut out for dust collection.

[chapmanruss]

Karl,

I can be happy using either table for the bandsaw. I currently have 8 Bandsaws ranging from 1956 to 2006 although 4 are waiting to be restored. As I said previously each Table type has its pluses and minuses.

tdorey said,

I like the older table better. You don't have to remove it when going to drill press mode. And you can use the miter gauge as a fence.

The Aluminum Table is larger than the Cast Iron Table. Being so it can interfere with raising to the Drill Press position when mounted on standard Eccentric Mounting Posts. Without the Fence Bar on an Aluminum Table, you may be able to raise into Drill Press position, I have done it. With the Fence rail you cannot. An older Bandsaw with Straight Mounting Posts and an upgraded Aluminum table would interfere with raising the mark V into Drill Press position. There is a set of Mounting Tubes (shown below) that have a wider offset to allow the Mark V to be raised into Drill Press position without removing the Bandsaw.

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Bandsaw Offset Eccentric Mounting Tubes.jpg (6.45 KiB) Viewed 72003 times

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As for you question about the Circle Cutter it works alright. It attaches to the Table Extension so that is needed also.

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Aluminum Table Upgrades.jpg (81.98 KiB) Viewed 72003 times

[kas20amc02]

Thanks guys. I certainly use the drill press a lot so having to take the saw on and off to use it would definitely push me to get a free standing machine. If you use the offset tubes, can you simply push the head stock left to engage it and push right to use the other features?

Lots to think about.