My "new" bandsaw

[T-Bird]

Hi, all.

Finally, after years and years of searching for the perfect machine for my needs and for my wallet, I got lucky .

This "junk-shop" that aquired the name of the previous "junk-shop" that was located here for several decades, was dying from the start, and the owner decided to concentrate all the efforts to their main location.

So the shop has a 50% sale and this was among the things I bought (only one worth posting ): A Swedish army surplus Värnamo Maskin AB band saw.

Front view:



Rear view:



Unfortunately there's no manufacturing year stamped anywhere, but I hope to be able to dig the year up. My guess, judging by the design, is 30's or 40's.

The funny thing is that it's "left-handed", aren't Swedes just cute . I'm sure that it's going to take some getting used to, and a few near misses too, but I think I'll manage.

The blade guides are similar on both sides, top and bottom, and support the band from three sides, so I believe the accuracy will be quite good.

Just my luck would have it, it hadn't been plugged in ever while in Finland, so it took some doing to get 'er wired and fired up. The quietest bandsaw of this size I have ever seen or heard. The motor is only 3kW IIRC but still has the automatic star/triangle (sp?) starting.

It'll fall perfectly in line with my metal machinery, most of the stuff is ancient (and/or Russian ), cast iron and will last FOREVER.

Unfortunately I couldn't bring her home just yet, have to make some room, and the height of over 2 meters and the weight of 705Kg is a bit too much for my current transportation.

Perhaps now I'll have a reason enough to start building guitars and basses again after two decades of hibernation .

Regards
Sam

[Jazzdogg]

Not exactly the kind of bandsaw you find in the average home woodworker's garage workshop!

What are the throat depth and resaw capacity?

[62bass]

Wow, that's a real beast. Can you still find replacement parts for it? But, it looks like it should last another 60 years or more. Nice find.

[Basshappi]

Very cool, Congrats!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Not exactly the kind of bandsaw you find in the average home woodworker's garage workshop!

Nope it isn't and that's partly the reason it didn't sell in the first place. Almost no-one has room for that or high enough doorways . This is a farming area and people have all the room and space they need for wood and metal shops if they wish. But with doorways of 50cm*1.8m and ceiling height about 2m or less makes things a bit hard .

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

What are the throat depth and resaw capacity?

Damn, I forgot to take those measurements when I was there today, I'll post them when I go there the next time. I expect to have her in my shop early next week.

Originally Posted by 62bass

Wow, that's a real beast. Can you still find replacement parts for it? But, it looks like it should last another 60 years or more. Nice find.

The motor was a real head-scratcher for me. It's a direct drive and ancient, so if it blows a replacement WILL be hard to find or require a bit of re-engineering. Rewinding it will cost about 1K€ so that's out of the question. Fortunately I have almost complete metal machine shop, so making any of the mechanical parts is no problem.

Regards
Sam

[T2W]

wooo thats a big one. definitely a nice find.. congrats !



complete change of subject, I work in the door and window industry and I frequently use a certain weatherstripping called Varnamo (excellent by the way) what does that mean? Its made by a company named Trelleborg in Sweden.

[scottyd]

Very nice, looks so heavy, you could drop that thing out of a plane and it would probably make it ok. I recently bought a small metal lathe that is from the mid 40s you just can't buy modern tools built this well.

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by scottyd

I recently bought a small metal lathe that is from the mid 40s you just can't buy modern tools built this well.

+1 ...sooo true....

Very nice saw!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by T2W

complete change of subject, I work in the door and window industry and I frequently use a certain weatherstripping called Varnamo (excellent by the way) what does that mean? Its made by a company named Trelleborg in Sweden.

Värnamo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A4rnamo is an old industrial town in the central southern Sweden and If You google it, you'll find quite a collection of companies and products that use the name.

Scottyd, a South Bend engine lathe by any chance? I have one of those from the 30's and a bit bigger Blonqvist "copy" from 40's. Best affordable lathes I know of. If I ever have children (I do have two nephews) , they can still use those machines when they're old .

That's the thing I love about old machinery: perfect engineering for items that will last for ages and be repairable with modest equipment. That ideology can not be found today . Plus the smooth flowing form is a beauty to the eyes.

Regards
Sam

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

What are the throat depth and resaw capacity?

Measured them today, throat depth=695mm and resaw capacity as is=385mm and with a minor re-arranging 500mm.

Can't really see me needing that much capacity, but it can NEVER HURT to have a little bit more than You need .

Just talked today with a buddy of mine and he promised to make me bands as I need them. I can also use his grinding and dividing equipment if needed. I will be making a band saw attachement for my grinder some day, but until that I'll rely on his machines.

The saw will be in my shop on tuesday or wendsday. I can hardly wait .

Regards
Sam

[leppikallio]

Now that is definition of "Bandsaw"!

However if you are going to do some serious resawing in which this beast would be the saw I really suggest that you get carbide tipped blade for it. Grönblom sells different widths of Lenox carbide blades, they can also weld one for you if you wish. Good old fashioned bandsaw blade can be good but once you have tried one of these you won't look back. They are not cheap but then again they will last forever. Length of the band must be quite impressive in this case? To give you some idea of the prices of that blade mine is 2490mm long and 1/2" wide cost about 100€. Price is basically on the tips of the blade, width doesn't effect that much to the price.

Next best thing is bi-metal blades which are considerably cheaper but they doesn't stay sharp that long. Quality of the cut is virtually as good as with carbide tipped blade.

[Alienation]

Excellent score. You should be able to resaw all you want with that thing.

After set up I bet it cuts nice and straight too.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Well, the band is about 5 meters long so for now other than the carbon steel bands are out of the question. But those only run about 30€ or so, and I will be able to sharpen and weld them (or get that done for me) so it's no problem. Will last a long time with my usage, I believe.

Remember guys that I have actually done almost no woodworking in nearly two decades, so while this beast will see some serious action, it won't be daily (I do have a well seasoned sqm of red beech and a sqm of oak to cut into pieces ).

And BTW, oil/grease nipples in EVERY location that needs lubrication, as it should be in every piece of machinery .

Leppikallio, pukkasin e-mailia ja puhelinnumeron, soittele kun olet maisemissa.

Regards
Sam

[scottyd]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Scottyd, a South Bend engine lathe by any chance? I have one of those from the 30's and a bit bigger Blonqvist "copy" from 40's. Best affordable lathes I know of. If I ever have children (I do have two nephews) , they can still use those machines when they're old .

That's the thing I love about old machinery: perfect engineering for items that will last for ages and be repairable with modest equipment. That ideology can not be found today . Plus the smooth flowing form is a beauty to the eyes.

Regards
Sam

No, it's actually a Craftsman, but whoever had it before me took really good care of it, or didn't use it one or the other. I've got my eye open for a larger South Bend, but right now I'm out of room in my shop. So needless to say a new shop is in the plans for this year.

The build of that saw is awesome. If you didn't live so far away I'd have to bring over the walnut logs I've had curing and we'd try that monster out!

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.



Measured them today, throat depth=695mm and resaw capacity as is=385mm and with a minor re-arranging 500mm.

Can't really see me needing that much capacity, but it can NEVER HURT to have a little bit more than You need .

Just talked today with a buddy of mine and he promised to make me bands as I need them. I can also use his grinding and dividing equipment if needed. I will be making a band saw attachement for my grinder some day, but until that I'll rely on his machines.

The saw will be in my shop on tuesday or wendsday. I can hardly wait .

Regards
Sam

Thanks for following up with those measurements.

For those of us in the US, here's a translation of the capacities:
Throat depth = 27 3/8"
Resaw capacity = 15 3/16"

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

Thanks for following up with those measurements.

For those of us in the US, here's a translation of the capacities:
Throat depth = 27 3/8"
Resaw capacity = 15 3/16"

I need new underwear- these will NEVER come clean now.