Looking for Diamond fretsaw switch box design to replicate.....

[toolsntat]

I've just got a brand new Diamond Fretsaw and need to make/get the switch and speed controller.
Do you have any information on the components inside please?
Cheers, Andy

 

[scrimper]

I've just got a brand new Diamond Fretsaw and need to make/get the switch and speed controller.
Do you have any information on the components inside please?
Cheers, Andy

I presume this is the one you obtained from Sam (he contacted me via my website).

The Diamond controller is very simple and uses 'bog' standard components. there are only three electronic parts 1) a simple on/off toggle switch. 2) a potentiometer and 3) a controller chip 604A.

However the saw uses a series wound universal carbon brush type motor (the original motors that Doug Woodward used were made by the Carter Romford company) and were fitted to some domestic spindryers.
The joy of using this type of motor is that unlike Induction motors they are easily controlled my many standard speed controls or a very easily made up version.

When I get time I will add some information about the controller on the diamond page of my website.

There is a thread about the controller here. https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/speed-control-switch.145228/

Just to let you know that Sam gave me permission to put his photo of the saw on my website (it might be the last one Doug was working on)

Regards
John

 

[toolsntat]

I presume this is the one you obtained from Sam (he contacted me via my website).

The Diamond controller is very simple and uses 'bog' standard components. there are only three electronic parts 1) a simple on/off toggle switch. 2) a potentiometer and 3) a controller chip 604A.

However the saw uses a series wound universal carbon brush type motor (the original motors that Doug Woodward used were made by the Carter Romford company) and were fitted to some domestic spindryers.
The joy of using this type of motor is that unlike Induction motors they are easily controlled my many standard speed controls or a very easily made up version.

When I get time I will add some information about the controller on the diamond page of my website.

There is a thread about the controller here. https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/threads/speed-control-switch.145228/

Just to let you know that Sam gave me permission to put his photo of the saw on my website (it might be the last one Doug was working on)

Regards
John

Yes John, I didn't really want a box of bits project but when he sent me the pictures it got the better of me as there is very little required to finish it. Being 10 minutes away helped...

My brother and I were offered the home workshop and contents after he passed as we know his son along with the ability to continue making them. Unfortunately we didn't have space or time back then.
One thing for certain is that this is most definitely the last Diamond Fretsaw to leave Doug's workshop and thankful that Sam posted it up.

Thanks for the link and supplementary information you've provided.
Might I ask if you managed to establish a suitable replacement belt option John?
Cheers Andy

Pictures from Sam

 

[scrimper]

Andy. have you watched my video on the issue of belts for the Diamond saw? In case not the link is below. There is some added info on the video description.

 

[toolsntat]

Andy. have you watched my video on the issue of belts for the Diamond saw? In case not the link is below. There is some added info on the video description.

Oh, I thought I had, I'll have a look thanks.
Cheers, Andy

 

[toolsntat]

Oh, I thought I had, I'll have a look thanks.
Cheers, Andy

Yes, that's the one I watched and misinterpreted the end thinking you were still experimenting with the ready made sewing machine belts.
In the interim from me posting that question to you earlier I've spoken to my brother and turns out his mate who he seen today has a Diamond and has made some belts with round rubber and glued it together.
Getting it couldn't be easier, his garden backs onto my opposite neighbour's garden.
Just happens that he has more than enough to let me have some.
By the way, on this machine Doug had put a different blade tensioning knob with a lever affair sticking out. Still not the quick release but possibly a bit easier.
Cheers, Andy

 

[scrimper]

Yes, that's the one I watched and misinterpreted the end thinking you were still experimenting with the ready made sewing machine belts.
In the interim from me posting that question to you earlier I've spoken to my brother and turns out his mate who he seen today has a Diamond and has made some belts with round rubber and glued it together.
Getting it couldn't be easier, his garden backs onto my opposite neighbour's garden.
Just happens that he has more than enough to let me have some.
By the way, on this machine Doug had put a different blade tensioning knob with a lever affair sticking out. Still not the quick release but possibly a bit easier.
Cheers, Andy

Blade tension is the one drawback with the Diamond Andy, I bought my Diamond in 1988 but it was the convoluted way of setting the blade tension that prompted me to buy a Hegner some 11 years later in 1999. I was in contact with Doug about the issue and suggested a cam system like the one the old Hobbies company used on it's treadle machines as far back as 1899.

Doug told me he was working on a quick tension release and I reckon the lever on yours might be part of his plans to do so.

Don't get me wrong the Diamond is a really good well made machine that works well for general fretwork and woodwork (better than a small bandsaw in my opinion - it only 'falls down' if one has a lot of internal cuts to make as that knob on top takes a toll on ones fingers.

You were lucky to get that Machine especially with the stand, apparently a metal stand creates much less vibration than a wooden one, there is a scientific reason for this but I don't remember it.

BTW when I bought my machine Doug fitted a thick bar of metal bolted on the drive shaft, I don't know if he kept fitting them in later years but Doug advised me that he only fitted them as a balance weight to reduce vibration for folk who just stood it on a bench. He said that if the machine is bolted down to a robust heavy stand it was best to remove the balance weight. He also recommended that the stand is bolted to the floor.

I did bolt mine to the floor originally but as you can see in my videos it is now on a heavy stand on casters so I can move it around.