My favorite power tool

July 8, 2008

The bandsaw is my favorite power tool and the only one I use the most actually on an almost daily basis from sizing small pieces to even crosscutting long firewood pieces. There are three of them in the shop, a small 9” one set with a 1/8” blade for highly curved cuts, a 14” Delta permanently set up with a 3/4” blade for general work, and a behemoth dedicated Makita resaw with a 2-1/2” blade. The smallest one is a relatively new addition but the other two have been with me for many years, the Makita about 30 years.

I inherited both . The Makita from my friend Howard Rotz and the and the Delta from my friend Ed DeVoe’s father a master Shipwright who I mention often.

The Delta is king here. It is the third generation of this type of saw from Delta and it was built and bought in 1948. This model was actually the first American stationary tool to be copied by the Chinese and still is today probably the most copied one. There is good reason for that. It is a very simple yet well designed machine with great accuracy, reliability and ease of adjustment. This design has essentially remained totally unchanged since 1940, a testament to its effectiveness.

I have kept it essentially unchanged from his hands just making a few additions or modifications out of necessity to improve or maintain it. I could have restored it to looking new but that would just take its personality , and charisma . There is a lot of history that came with it and all of the countless stuff I have from him which I been entrusted and promised to keep all together.

Machine as it sits today

Ed did a bit of metal cutting, mostly brass and bronze. Added step pulley to change speeed.

Made his own tensioner and pulley out of plywood. This pulley has been in service since 1948 with no bearing just a bronze sleeve. It runs true and silent.

Saw has always been on a dedicated dolly.
Ed used a large door holder to keep machine from moving while being used. I added two smaller ones.

Ed’s large holder. I added nail spikes to hold better.

I added two smaller ones from my stash of vintage hardware. Added spike to those also.

I added an extension and made rails so it can use the Makita’s fence.

Fence has vernier adjustment and swivels out of way.

Saw has original twin shaft motor. Rod is part off original switch . It failed had had to be substituted. Original was also a reversing switch. I added outlet for light.

Changed switch location for convenience and safety. Also a reversing switch like original. Block prevents switching in wrong direction. Zip tie prevents kids from accidentally turning it on.