Thinking of Buying a Used SS Bandsaw

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john_001
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Thinking of Buying a Used SS Bandsaw

Post by john_001 »

I'm thinking of buying a used bandsaw for my SS Mk V, 1958 vintage. I'd probably be using it only occasionally. Any suggestions about what to look for/questions to ask would be appreciated.

John
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fiatben
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go for it

Post by fiatben »

My '55 came with a bandsaw that I'm fairly sure was bought with the machine. It needed cleaning, derusting the iron table and lubing of the bearings, and will eventually need a new front cover, but I use it frequently and it is probably my favorite STP.

As for advice, others are sure to chip in with excellent suggestions and maybe even a checklist. I guess I'd be interested to know what to look for as being a real problem with one and how to check it. As for the bearings squealing, a bit of rust or some parts missing, that would only be negotiating room for a better price in my opinion. It is not a complicated device and is certainly within the ability of any woodworker to service one back to a state of good health.

So, guys, what things would be the death knell? Bent wheels, shot lower wheel bearing, ..... ???????
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

john_001 wrote:I'm thinking of buying a used bandsaw for my SS Mk V, 1958 vintage. I'd probably be using it only occasionally. Any suggestions about what to look for/questions to ask would be appreciated.

John

Older Cast Iron table, or newer aluminum table?

Older version or upgraded blade follower bearings?

Tire condition?

Physical damage?

Offset/eccentric mounting tubes?

Fence included? Which one?

Dust Collector port?

Tension spring window? Tension adjusting screw access?

Age?
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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fiatben
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fence

Post by fiatben »

JPG, did they make a fence for the CI tables?????
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

fiatben wrote:JPG, did they make a fence for the CI tables?????
No! It has slots to allow using the ss miter gauge as a fence. There are two slots, one front to back in front of the blade and one side to side on the outer side of the blade.

But then if you have a CI table, you already knew that!;) The aluminum table only has the side to side slot(t slot like the larger ss saw table).
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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fiatben
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that's what I thought

Post by fiatben »

[quote="JPG40504"]No! It has slots to allow using the ss miter gauge as a fence. There are two slots, one front to back in front of the blade and one side to side on the outer side of the blade.

But then if you have a CI table, you already knew that!]

Well, that's what I thought I knew. I like my CI table. And I have used the miter gauge as a fence on more than one occasion. I like have the two slots running in different directions. And I figure the heavy table must help a little bit with vibration.
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
foxtrapper
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Post by foxtrapper »

Watch the prices on the used. The bandsaw is one of SS's better priced items, and many times the new ones aren't that far off the price of a used one.

Tire problems are a common lament about the bandsaw, particularly if they've been replaced.

I would be very wary of any bandsaw that looks to have had a hard life.
john_001
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Post by john_001 »

Thanks to all for the replies. Unfortunately (or maybe not!) I missed the one I was interested in, but I'll keep my eyes open. Would $150 be too much for one in resonably good shape?
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

john_001 wrote:Thanks to all for the replies. Unfortunately (or maybe not!) I missed the one I was interested in, but I'll keep my eyes open. Would $150 be too much for one in resonably good shape?
NIMHO!!!!!!
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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fiatben
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buyer's market

Post by fiatben »

john_001 wrote:Thanks to all for the replies. Unfortunately (or maybe not!) I missed the one I was interested in, but I'll keep my eyes open. Would $150 be too much for one in resonably good shape?
Boy, the prices for things vary quite a bit depending on location. I rarely see SS's for sale locally. I bought my '55 with a bandsaw but no other STPs a year ago for $400 for the package, so I guess at $150 that means I only paid $250 for Greenie. In any case, I was tickled to get it, refurbish it and start making sawdust.

You might watch and evil-bay and see if you can get lucky.
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
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