1949 Delta/Milwaukee 14" Band Saw

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Rog02:
I've been a bit pre-occupied the past couple of weeks trying to run down some paying work so "As The Nut Turns" has been "back burnered" for a bit. I finally got a bit of time (actually just got fed up with the day to day BS and decided to do something for fun) so I decided to make a couple of parts that were missing from the band saw.

A few weeks ago I posted a request on another forum that deals exclusively with Old Wood Working Machines for the dimensions of the Taper Pin and Table Leveling Adjustment Sleeve, that Delta/Milwaukee supplied with the saw. These parts are frequently missing and are no longer available from the few places selling parts. Some of the fellows there were gracious enough to send me the dimensions and photos of the parts. From the information I did a CAD drawing and posted it in the "Knowledge Base" for future reference, since these old band saws are popular restoration projects.

The "Taper Pin" is needed to hold the table slot in alignment. It seems that Delta did all the machine work on the table (miter slot, mounting bosses, Etc.) before cutting the blade slot. When the blade slot was cut into the table any residual stress in the casting would cause a twist in the table that results in the sides of the blade slot being uneven and therefore causing material to hang up as it slides through the saw. Delta/Milwaukee's solution was to drill and ream a taper hole prior to making the cut and installing a pin to draw everything back to level once the slot is cut.

My original plan was to cut a 3/8" bolt down to size so I could have a nice hex head. The original pins had a 7/16" hex milled on the end for the wrench. The 9/16" hex looked to be a tad large and might have presented a snag hazard so I opted instead to use a piece of 1/2" drill rod.

To make the pin easily removable I cross drilled the end to allow a pin punch to be used as a Johnson bar.

The taper pin installed and table properly aligned.

The "Table Leveling Sleeve" is used to space the adjuster screw between the frame and the bottom of the table. Besides giving a positive way of squaring the table it relieves some stress from the adjustment trunnions and adds support to the left side of the table. The idea of the sleeve is to allow it to be removed quickly and the table can tilt 10 degrees to the left, should one need to make relief cuts in moulding joints. Once the cut is made the sleeve is replaced and the table sets against the sleeve end, again bringing the table square to the blade without the need for any additional tools.

I started working on a "Drive Wheel Brush" the same day I took these photos (Thanksgiving Day), but the effects of "Turkey Poisoning" took over sending me back to the couch to sleep it off. :med:

bogstandard:
Roger,

That refurb is a truly wonderful job.

I love old machinery, especially all the curves they had, unlike the modern day stuff, which is very utilitarian

They were made in the days when an engineers 'feel' for materials was used, and were usually grossly over engineered, and designed to last a lifetime, in your case, now two lifetimes. Unlike modern day equipment which seems to have a limited life.

Very well done.

John

Rog02:
OK! In the last episode of "As The Nut Turns" I showed a couple of parts that I had made to replace the missing pieces on my band saw. I also posted them to the OWWM site, where other owners of this model saw began to request that I make them to replace the missing ones on their saws as well.

I also decided I needed some way of dusting the sawdust and swarf off the lower tire so I came up with this little brush and bracket. Again, the requests began to flow in. What sets my design apart from the available aftermarket is that mine simply uses the blade guard mounting stud as an anchor. Since the brush is specific to this saw and does not require any holes to be drilled or attachments epoxied into the frame, the restorers and purists alike, gave it their approval.

As most of you know, with the economy being kind of slow these days, many companies are pulling back on expenses. Along those lines my two major clients informed me that due to uncertain economic climate and the cancellation of contracts, they were terminating the projects I was working on and would notify me when and if my services were needed. Well, there is my Merry Christmas present! :scratch:

OK, on to "Plan B". I called my "head hunter" and they told me things were slow all over but that I was tops on their list if anything "develops".

OK, "Plan B" ain't working, so on to "Plan C", which in my case seems to be; "When all else fails, make your own damn parts!" Since the weather is turning colder than I would like and heating the shop is rather costly, I moved my little Craftsman lathe to the house and bought enough material to make 20 of each of the taper pins and the leveling sleeves.

I already had enough material to make the brush brackets and as luck would have it, I found a source for the brushes besides buying the sets from Horrible Fright. I e-mailed the brush supplier and requested a sample of the brush, thinking they would send me one or two. MUCH, to my surprise, a couple of days later the UPS guy showed up with a box from the supplier and my sample request had been filled with a gross of nylon bristled brushes. I called the company and explained that the "sample" was what I was considering purchasing. When I explained that 144 brushes were actually more than I needed, the nice lady told me that the minimum on that item was a gross lot. I told her since that was the minimum and seeing as how they had already shipped them to me I inquired how to arrange payment. Much to my surprise, the nice lady told me to consider the sample a gift for the holidays. :)

Bernd:
Rog,

Good for you. Glad your making a bit of cash on the side. The thing is that little blurb on that forum is world wide. Talk about free advertisement. If I were you I'd tell the customers were you got your brush from so they can replace them if they need. Kind of helping the company out that sent them to you. :clap:

Oh, BTW, cash isn't traceable, if you know what I mean. :wave:

Bernd

Rog02:
Hi Bernd:

Thanks for the idea. I think I will supply a spare brush with each holder as a courtesy. Since the minimum order is 144 brushes at a time, I doubt if anyone would be interested in going that route. The prototype was made with a brush from Horrible Fright, taken from the little 3 pack of toothbrush sized cleaning brushes. I published the drawings and photo essay of the build with suppliers for those that want to copy it themselves.

--- Quote from: Bernd on December 14, 2008, 10:33:20 AM ---Rog,

Oh, BTW, cash isn't traceable, if you know what I mean. :wave:
Bernd

--- End quote ---

You wouldn't be suggesting that I do something illegal would you? :bugeye:

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