Metal cutting bandsaw problem

Anybody here have any experience with one of these critters? I bought a
Jet 1/2 HP last month for cutting aluminum. The saw looks to be of
exceptional quality for being Taiwanese and I'm overall pleased with how
it's made but assembling it was less than fun (getting the legs on was a
bitch...)

My aluminum supplier recommended a 4-6 variable pitch blade but the
closest blade I could was was a 6-8 pitch. Well it cuts like crazy now
rather than loading up but the problem I'm having is the shavings from
cutting get into the wheels of the saw and jam it up. So far I've been
able to blow the shavings away with a stream of air from an air nozzle.
Any one know of a better way to solve this problem or any other tips
for cutting aluminum with this saw?

Tony

"Anthony W" wrote in message
news:2llYi.6270$kH.3914@trndny04...
Anybody here have any experience with one of these critters? I bought a
Jet 1/2 HP last month for cutting aluminum. The saw looks to be of
exceptional quality for being Taiwanese and I'm overall pleased with how
it's made but assembling it was less than fun (getting the legs on was a
bitch...)

My aluminum supplier recommended a 4-6 variable pitch blade but the
closest blade I could was was a 6-8 pitch. Well it cuts like crazy now
rather than loading up but the problem I'm having is the shavings from
cutting get into the wheels of the saw and jam it up. So far I've been
able to blow the shavings away with a stream of air from an air nozzle.
Any one know of a better way to solve this problem or any other tips for
cutting aluminum with this saw?



Does it have a recirculating coolant system, or a table that was designed to
drain one?

"Anthony W" wrote in message
news:2llYi.6270$kH.3914@trndny04...
Anybody here have any experience with one of these critters? I bought a
Jet 1/2 HP last month for cutting aluminum. The saw looks to be of
exceptional quality for being Taiwanese and I'm overall pleased with how
it's made but assembling it was less than fun (getting the legs on was a
bitch...)

My aluminum supplier recommended a 4-6 variable pitch blade but the
closest blade I could was was a 6-8 pitch. Well it cuts like crazy now
rather than loading up but the problem I'm having is the shavings from
cutting get into the wheels of the saw and jam it up. So far I've been
able to blow the shavings away with a stream of air from an air nozzle.
Any one know of a better way to solve this problem or any other tips for
cutting aluminum with this saw?


I have also seen small rotary wire brushes (designed for a drill motor or
such) bearing mounted to turn at an angle, rotated by only the passing
blade, but scrubing chips from the blade.

Maxwell wrote:

Does it have a recirculating coolant system, or a table that was designed to
drain one?

Nope, it's not that sophisticated.

Tony

"Anthony W" wrote in message
news:JBlYi.11567$%n.4571@trndny07...
Maxwell wrote:

Does it have a recirculating coolant system, or a table that was designed
to drain one?

Nope, it's not that sophisticated.


You might consider mounting it in a large metal tray that would catch the
coolant. If you ever cut much steel with it, it can be well worth the
trouble in blade life. But beware of some cutting oils, they can cause the
blade to keep jumping off the cheaper saws. But a water based might do the
trick.

Otherwise, you might try the rotary brush deal. I have seen it used a lot on
verticals for cutting aluminum with just wax.

"Maxwell" wrote in message
...

I have also seen small rotary wire brushes (designed for a drill motor or
such) bearing mounted to turn at an angle, rotated by only the passing
blade, but scrubing chips from the blade.

Even less sophisticated would be a couple of toothbrush-size wire brushes
mounted, one on each side of the blade and/or mounted to scrub the debris
off the rubber tires. Harborfreight sells some cheap brass brushes which
work well for this.

Rich S.

"Rich S." wrote in message
. ..
"Maxwell" wrote in message
...

I have also seen small rotary wire brushes (designed for a drill motor or
such) bearing mounted to turn at an angle, rotated by only the passing
blade, but scrubing chips from the blade.

Even less sophisticated would be a couple of toothbrush-size wire brushes
mounted, one on each side of the blade and/or mounted to scrub the debris
off the rubber tires. Harborfreight sells some cheap brass brushes which
work well for this.

That is the approach I have seen on metal bandsaws.

Mount them stationary on the part that adjusts the second guide blocks or
wheels, just past the guides. Mount them to have a little tilt, so that the
first part that gets brushed is the back, and then angling down to the
teeth. This will brush them down off the blades, with gravity helping out.
--
Jim in NC

"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Rich S." wrote in message
. ..
"Maxwell" wrote in message
...

I have also seen small rotary wire brushes (designed for a drill motor
or such) bearing mounted to turn at an angle, rotated by only the
passing blade, but scrubing chips from the blade.

Even less sophisticated would be a couple of toothbrush-size wire brushes
mounted, one on each side of the blade and/or mounted to scrub the debris
off the rubber tires. Harborfreight sells some cheap brass brushes which
work well for this.

That is the approach I have seen on metal bandsaws.

Mount them stationary on the part that adjusts the second guide blocks or
wheels, just past the guides. Mount them to have a little tilt, so that
the first part that gets brushed is the back, and then angling down to the
teeth. This will brush them down off the blades, with gravity helping
out.
--

Stationary brushes are ok, but the rotary a lot more robust and run longer
without adjustment.

On Nov 7, 6:03 am, Anthony W wrote:
Anybody here have any experience with one of these critters? I bought a
Jet 1/2 HP last month for cutting aluminum. The saw looks to be of
exceptional quality for being Taiwanese and I'm overall pleased with how
it's made but assembling it was less than fun (getting the legs on was a
bitch...)

My aluminum supplier recommended a 4-6 variable pitch blade but the
closest blade I could was was a 6-8 pitch. Well it cuts like crazy now
rather than loading up but the problem I'm having is the shavings from
cutting get into the wheels of the saw and jam it up. So far I've been
able to blow the shavings away with a stream of air from an air nozzle.
Any one know of a better way to solve this problem or any other tips
for cutting aluminum with this saw?

Tony

I just lurk here. Post this on rec.crafts.metalworking where I hang
out.
Karl

Maxwell wrote:

I have also seen small rotary wire brushes (designed for a drill motor or
such) bearing mounted to turn at an angle, rotated by only the passing
blade, but scrubbing chips from the blade.

Thanks, That's an interesting idea and I'll look into it. It would also
add the benefit of removing any loading of the blade. The 6-8 pitch
blade doesn't load much but a few chips will stick here and there.

Tony