Thinking of Buying a Used SS Bandsaw
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Thinking of Buying a Used SS Bandsaw
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
John
go for it
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, ..... ???????
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.
- JPG
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- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
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'/ 10E[/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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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'/ 10E[/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
fence
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.
- JPG
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- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
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.fiatben wrote:JPG, did they make a fence for the CI tables?????
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'/ 10E[/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
╟JPG ╢
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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'/ 10E[/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
that's what I thought
[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.
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.
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foxtrapper
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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.
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.
- JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35598
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
NIMHO!!!!!!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?
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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'/ 10E[/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
╟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'/ 10E[/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
buyer's market
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.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?
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.