How about a home built or cheap tool modification thread?

[RestoRod]

Anyone interested in turning a wood band saw into a metal cutter? I converted a 10in delta into one, let me know I'll post the pictures. .

Sorry for reviving a very old thread and I know that Pepi hasn't been active here for over a year but this is a subject of interest to me and hopefully others.
I am lying here in hospital recovering from an illness so I had some time to check out some old subscriptions and found this question which was never answered.

If Pepi is still around I for one would like to see his method. If not, perhaps another member has made this conversion and can add to this thread or show us how in his own thread.
This thread deserves to be bumped in any case.

[34_40]

Sorry for reviving a very old thread and I know that Pepi hasn't been active here for over a year but this is a subject of interest to me and hopefully others.
I am lying here in hospital recovering from an illness so I had some time to check out some old subscriptions and found this question which was never answered.

If Pepi is still around I for one would like to see his method. If not, perhaps another member has made this conversion and can add to this thread or show us how in his own thread.
This thread deserves to be bumped in any case.

I "Chat" with him on another forum and will ask him if you'd like.
I was going to do the conversion on a older Craftsman saw by adding a "jackshaft" with additional pulleys to slow the blade speed down. On the craftsman there was actually a separate "kit" to do this. There are also many videos on U-tube to do this also.

Some measures are needed so you get the feet per minute (fpm) into the right ranges for different materials, usually steel being the slowest.

[RestoRod]

I "Chat" with him on another forum and will ask him if you'd like.
I was going to do the conversion on a older Craftsman saw by adding a "jackshaft" with additional pulleys to slow the blade speed down. On the craftsman there was actually a separate "kit" to do this. There are also many videos on U-tube to do this also.

Some measures are needed so you get the feet per minute (fpm) into the right ranges for different materials, usually steel being the slowest.

That would be great. I have a wood cutting jigsaw that I would love to convert and really like Pepi's work.

[48steel]

Welding a seam or hole that is difficult to reach and laser beam for wheel alignment.

Attachment 71852

[34_40]

I'm assuming the welding piece is copper? And how are you using the lazer? Are both of these pieces magnet mount?

[34_40]

That would be great. I have a wood cutting jigsaw that I would love to convert and really like Pepi's work.

I thought you might say that! LOL.. As soon as I get a reply to a pm ( I already asked him last night) I'll let you know his answer.

[34_40]

That would be great. I have a wood cutting jigsaw that I would love to convert and really like Pepi's work.

I hadn't heard a reply to the pm I sent so I sent an e-mail direct. All I can do at the moment.

[34_40]

SO before noon I did get a reply, And to quote; "Hi Mike,

I would be happy to, tell me brand of the saw. Pretty sure they are all the same really. Give me some information as how I might be of help. I can give pictures, part number of the jack shaft, and associated information.

It is an easy mod over all.
**KAG .... "

So the ball is now in your corner. How about some info? and we'll ask him for some pics of his. If you have a pic or two of yours it may be helpful.

[cffisher]

All I did with mine was change to a metal cutting blade.

[34_40]

What kind of blade Charlie? Pitch??

[cffisher]

Wife got them off Amazon. #S641212418 14/18 tpi S64121224 24 tpi I mostly cut aluminum 1/4"

[RestoRod]

SO before noon I did get a reply, And to quote; "Hi Mike,

I would be happy to, tell me brand of the saw. Pretty sure they are all the same really. Give me some information as how I might be of help. I can give pictures, part number of the jack shaft, and associated information.

It is an easy mod over all.
**KAG .... "

So the ball is now in your corner. How about some info? and we'll ask him for some pics of his. If you have a pic or two of yours it may be helpful.

Getting a picture is difficult as I am still in hospital, but the saw is a King Canada 14" wood bandsaw made in the late 1980's. It looks very much like the one shown on the King Canada website https://www.kingcanada.com/en/produc...th-resaw-guide.
My main interest is to see how Pepi converted his to reduce the blade speed, his method of determining how much reduction is needed, whether modifications are needed to the blade guide, tips on blade selection and overall, seeing if his method will work on my saw. Thanks in advance.

[rspears]

RestoRod, if your saw is like the one you linked above, the instruction manual shows that it has a stepped pulley system with adjustments to drive speeds of 735rpm, 1470rpm or 2350rpm (figure 16). Does your saw have this adjustment feature?

[34_40]

No worries on pics RestoRod. Most of the mods I see on this topic is an added jack shaft with 3 to 5 stepped pulley set. To do thicker steels, you'll have to get the feet per minute down of blade speed. Basically the bigger the piece of steel - the slower the blade needs to go. Of course the choice of blade pitch will dictate all this as well.

[RestoRod]

RestoRod, if your saw is like the one you linked above, the instruction manual shows that it has a stepped pulley system with adjustments to drive speeds of 735rpm, 1470rpm or 2350rpm (figure 16). Does your saw have this adjustment feature?

I can't get to the saw to confirm, but AFAIR it had only a single speed. The saw is an older version so likely does not have as many features as the newer versions. I really haven't used it much since I picked it up at a garage sale for $20. It's certainly worth checking when I get home.