Bandsaw missing parts question

[Lee J]

hey up, I've been given a Powerline Bandsaw BBS-20 Mark 2. But the fella said it's incomplete. Now I can spot the obvious missing part but I dont know it's proper name. The bit that the blade passes through, like a guide that comes from the bottom of the upper bit. (i know the blade is missing too!)

Have a look and see if you can spot any other missing bits...

Anyone know what they call the missing part/s and a likely place to get new ones?

 

[9fingers]

The original manufacturer of this style of bandsaw was Burgess. Whether Powerline was a later brand name of theirs or if they made bandsaws for others or if they sold out to Powerline, I don't know.

They are really only suitable for very light work so before spending much on parts, make sure your expectations are not too high.
Thin freehand work should be fine but nothing like the thickness (height) that the frame would appear to support.


Bob

 

[Lee J]

so if Im wanting to rip through pieces of 15mm ply or MDF, or some 1" pine would I struggle or easily manage?

 

[StevieB]

15mm ply and 1" pine should be OK, 4 inch oak is a totally different story!

 

[Lee J]

so whats the bit called thats missing? blade guide?

 

[p111dom]

Try here.

 

[dickm]

From what I remember, Burgess became Powerline who then disappeared in to the Record empire and shortly sank without trace! Record did keep spares for a short while, but almost certainly don't have anything now.
If you can look in any of the old mags for 1970s-ish, you could well find pics of the saw, and there were quite a few short articles on upgrading them. But as others say, they were definitely at the DIY/small models end.

 

[Lee J]

ok then, might just ditch it altogether and buy something else, complete.

Fella I got it off says he has another 2 identical that I can also have. Maybe make one good one from the 3 then?

 

[big soft moose]

Fella I got it off says he has another 2 identical that I can also have. Maybe make one good one from the 3 then?

if they are free you might as well - you can always freecycle the bits you dont want. I certainly wouldnt spend much on trying to get parts (on that clarke make a very similar design ( http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... croll-saws ) so their parts might fit.

if you want to use it for rounding turning blanks you may be out of luck in terms of power and capacity.

if you wind up binning it and buying another one try to get a two wheel one rather than a three wheel.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I agree with all the above. It's probably not worth the cost, let alone the work involved in getting it working.

The big downside of 3-wheel machines (and why they no longer exist) is the short blade life. The wheels are very small, so the blade is bent round a very tight radius. The blade is also short, so the teeth come round more often and have to do more work. Together that means poor longevity.

My first bandsaw was a DeWalt 2-wheeler. It was OK but not great. I'd consider it the bare minimum of a first machine. Indeed, I'd probably suggest buying a good jigsaw instead. If it's for cutting out shapes in plywood, then it would probably do just as good a job, maybe better, and take up less room.

S

 

[xy mosian]

Top blade guide missing, although the hexagonal shaft, used to mount the guide to the machine, seems to be there.
Bottom blade guide may also be missing, look under the table.

I have, and still sometimes use, the BBS 20 Mk1. I have cut long tapers on Utile legs, six legs, 24 tapers. The legs were 75mm square section. I have also successfully cut 2.5mm slices from 50mm Sycamore for Lute ribs. I also remember cutting wood that just cleared the upper guide, but cannot remember what it was for.

OK you need to watch what you are doing and definitely don't push it. But with care it can be very useful.

Most useful task so far? Trimming blocks for a parquet floor. These were too short to hold to use a jigsaw or hansaw, but the bench top bandsaw worked a treat.

xy

 

[OPJ]

A small bandsaw is going to be more use than any jigsaw, if you ask me. If you're working alone then, a jigsaw would be the better choice for cutting larger shapes on large materials. As xy says, you can't easily (or safely!) rip narrow and small pieces with a hand-held tool.

Don't go cutting any wood with that thing until you have two sets of guides (one upper, one lower) in place. Otherwise, you'll be forever changing blades as there's nothing to prevent them from falling off the back of the wheels! :shock:

 

[Lee J]

thanks for your help guys. I have a look and it seems the bottom guide is there, so a Top Blade Guide is needed.

I'll see what the other 2 BBS20's are like but i dont think I'll throw any cash at it.