So I bought a bandsaw...

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Kneale Brownson

I have one of those....in the 40-foot container that has most of my big tools in it. I have a vague recollection of finding a manual on-line, but I'm guessing that if I did, it's with the saw. The container is 1400 miles away.

I found a place that would resharpen the stellite-tipped blades. But I had to send them in. Shipping was a trick.

The blade guides are worn out on mine. I was going to try using lignum vitae, but never found a source.

3" bandsaw?

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

For precision work, I take it.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Barry Irby

I bought mine form the son of a woodworker who has aged out and is in a nursing home. I got the saw, three spare blades and a handful of parts that "must go with that because they are the same color." One of those bits was a set of Carter guides. Can't figure how they go on the saw, but I may contact Carter.

Only one of my blades is the three inch one and it appears to be sharp but who knows.

When you had access, did you use your saw? For resawing? Did it work well? Do you know anything about them? Age, etc? The motor appears tiny and I wonder about it.

Re: 3" bandsaw?

Barry Irby

The blade is 3" wide. Or at least it can be up to that wide. It's for resawing as in turning a 1 x 6 piece into two thinner pieces 6" wide. So hopefully it has precision in the since of tracking very precisely. It's rated to resaw a piece about 11" wide.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

AZ in Colorado Springs

Looked at one on YouTube. Looks huge, as you'd expect for a machine with a 3" blade. Will it fit into your shop?

Looks like a great machine, by the way!

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Kneale Brownson

Mine also came from the family of someone who had aged out of the shop. I used it to do just what you're thinking of, namely to resaw one-bys and two-bys into thinner material. I made a tall fence to support the wood better. Saw worked OK, but it makes a lot of noise and it needs guides replaced. Could not find guide parts on line.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Don Stephan

Same. Guess in a couple weeks another thread about the need to clear out stuff (lol).

Hope it works out. You have tons more courage than I to buy something without knowing if an owner's manual can be obtained.

lignum vitae

Jack Guzman from Maine

If you ever dig it out I have some of that. I bought a couple pieces of it from Rockler years ago. Turned a very heavy mallet out of one piece and have been sitting on the other forever. I have a cutoff around I use to show people how it sinks in water.---Apologies for the hijack---

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Mike in Zuni VA

Barry,

I download an Illustrated Parts Breakdown of your saw in PDF format. Send me your e-mail and I will forward it to you.

Mike

His email

Mike Farinella

address is next to Barry's name on the first post.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Mike in Zuni VA

Barry,

I did a little research and it appears that Hitachi is owned or a subsidiary of Metabo. I checked their customer service website and they did not have capability to download manuals. They did have a number to call for customer service. The number is 1-800-706-7337. Hope you can get one through them.

And for the post below, on my browser, Barry's email does not show up next to his name, II don't know why it doesn't.

Mike

Except... *LINK*

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

Mike in Zuni doesn't have a profile, so he can't see Barry's e-mail. Establishing a profile is the equivalent of registering on other forums. Wood Central allows people without a profile to post, but there are lots of limits: no photos, as I recall, and other things like not being able to see e-mails on other folks' posts.

Mike (of Zuni), if you want to register, follow the link below; partway down, you'll see a second link that you can follow to register. One vital note: clear your Wood Central-related cookies from your browser history before you start the process. If you have cookies, the software gets confused, and you can't register.


http://www.woodcentral.com/faq/#howuse

Mike, my Email is very complicated....

Barry Irby

It's BarryIrby@Gmail.com

Thanks for the help. I have not examined the saw closely. Not sure I got a complete set of blade guides. My plan is to set this up for resawing and leave it alone.

I was thinking I would put a bigger set of wheels on it so I can roll it in and out of the shop, but now I am thinking I will get the saw tuned up and running first. No need for nice wheels if I can't get the saw to work well.

The manual should be helpful. Thank you.

Us manly men don't read no stinking manuals...

Barry Irby

Wait, I really need one. Hope it has lots of pictures.

I am having a good time spending my kids inheritance. I have spent more money on dumber stuff, I just can't remember what.

Already considering a purge....

Barry Irby

or an addition. I also bought another pickup load of wood. I may have lost my mind.

Nice saw

Mark Hennebury

Hi Barry,

Makita, Hitachi and Ryobi all make a lot of nice machinery, mostly sold i Japan.

I had a Makita, resaw for many years, and a Hitachi one for a short time. Both do an excellent job for resawing. The stellite tipped blades are great.

The motors suck, they are like router motors with noisy gearboxes, change it out for a regular motor. The machines where made in two sizes ; 14" wheels and 24" wheels, Hitachi also made a 24" computer controlled model.

Thats my 14" Makita many years ago.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Dick Coers

The motor was the wink link. Quite under powered for quick resawing. Pretty sure it’s a smaller universal motor. Knew a local guy who repowered it with a 3hp, 220v motor.

Re: So I bought a bandsaw...

Jesse Cloud

Hey Barry,

I studied with Larry Boechly, who made incredible tapered bent lamination furniture. He had a smaller Hitachi with a wide (maybe three inches, I think less - its been 15 years) blade. That thing would resaw wood like butter. However, Larry was a genius machine tuner/fixerupper. It was his go to saw and he made loads of furniture.

If you can get that thing to run, it should be a beauty.

BTW, with a blade that thick, count on lots of waste!

Thanks Dick and Jesse.....

Barry Irby

Dick, I think you are correct. The motor is tiny and noisy. It's about the size of the half hp motor on my DP. However, If it work even fairly well it will suit me. Being slow does not bother me much if it will do nice work.

Jesse, I have looked at upgrading the motor on YouTube, but have pretty much decided against it unless the speed is abysmal. I have spent part of the day gathering information. Mike sent me an exploded parts plan. The saw is at home hiding under a plastic bag in my driveway. I have got to purge or at least consolidate some stuff to get it inside. Then I can assess what I am missing. I'm glad to hear your friend liked his. They showed one on YouTube with a power feeder on it and if this one will cut anywhere near that speed I will be thrilled.