Shopsmith Forums

Are there any differences between a bandsaw built in the 60's or 70's as compared to one that is built today other than age? In other words if you can find a bandsaw made for a Mark V 500 are there any differences to the ones sold today?

Thanks in advance.

rjent wrote:Are there any differences between a bandsaw built in the 60's or 70's as compared to one that is built today other than age? In other words if you can find a bandsaw made for a Mark V 500 are there any differences to the ones sold today?

Thanks in advance.

The main difference is the older bandsaw has a cast iron table that has two miter slots at right angles so you can use the miter gauge not only for cross cuts but as a rip fence. Newer ones have a a larger aluminum table with only one miter slot (can't use the miter gauge as a rip fence).

Other differences: lack of dust collection on older bandsaw covers and lack of plastic view port on cover to see tension gauge.

The "guts" I think have not changed.

rjent wrote:In other words if you can find a bandsaw made for a Mark V 500 are there any differences to the ones sold today?

Thanks in advance.

The older one can be upgraded. The TODAY one ya woodn't want to upgrade .

algale wrote:The main difference is the older bandsaw has a cast iron table that has two miter slots at right angles so you can use the miter gauge not only for cross cuts but as a rip fence. Newer ones have a a larger aluminum table with only one miter slot (can't use the miter gauge as a rip fence).

Other differences: lack of dust collection on older bandsaw covers and lack of plastic view port on cover to see tension gauge.

The "guts" I think have not changed.

Thanks al, can you "retrofit" dust collection? Since I am so new to this, is the old iron table a detrement, asset, or not much of a difference. Seems the bigger the table the better, but with no experience with SS ..... Is the rip fence meant to be used on the newer ones?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have found one that will work with my 7 (by your clarification), but is the new one better (I know, ambiguous LOL) or just more expensive ...

Thanks in advance!

rjent wrote:Thanks al, can you "retrofit" dust collection? Since I am so new to this, is the old iron table a detrement, asset, or not much of a difference. Seems the bigger the table the better, but with no experience with SS ..... Is the rip fence meant to be used on the newer ones?

Sorry for all the questions, but I have found one that will work with my 7 (by your clarification), but is the new one better (I know, ambiguous LOL) or just more expensive ...

Thanks in advance!

Several members have made their own dust collection fittings (search the forum) and I think the mothership even sells a kit.

The cast iron table vs. aluminum is a series of trade offs with no clear winner in my view.

Cast iron heavier (absorbs more vibration) but smaller work surface You get to use your miter gauge as a rip fence; also, with the smaller table, bandsaw can stay in place on pre-double tilt machines when going vertical.

Larger aluminum table lighter (more vibration), larger work surface. Can't use miter gauge as rip fence and must remove bandsaw to go vertical.

If you have a 510 or 520, the larger work surface of the aluminum table isn't that big a deal because there are ways to configure the 510/520 floating tables to make a huge work surface. But it is nice to have the large table if you've got an older machine without floating tables.

Al

algale wrote: Can't use miter gauge as rip fence and must remove bandsaw to go vertical.

Al

Ya just need a set of these to be able to raise to drill press mode, with the bandsaw on the SS.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... gtubes.htm

beeg wrote:The older one can be upgraded. The TODAY one ya woodn't want to upgrade .

LOL, classic!

beeg wrote:Ya just need a set of these to be able to raise to drill press mode, with the bandsaw on the SS.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/bandsawecc_mountingtubes.htm

Don't own a set but have heard from a reputable source that they are very bouncy/springy.

Here is a read for you:

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=8361


Ed