Replies

1. 
   Upraiser | Jan 02, 2003 12:47am | #1

   IronDog

   I have one and its a fine machine.  The 3hp that came with it never gave me any problems and I have resawn thousands of feet of boards. beams and small logs.

   The 3" saw blades with the stellite teeth are about $115-$120 each and one nail or screw etc. will just about finish it off.  I have not had any luck sharpening them, most shops are just to aggressive with them.  That blade when its in good shape will resaw to about 11.25 inches with very little kirf, smooth (as in band saw smooth) surface.   The blades are still made in Japan, and not to many woodworking suppliers have them anymore.

   I have resawn hard maple to 10", pine and fir to 11.25 and lots of 4" to 6" cedar, oak, alder, birch to 10".

   A bit of problem with the blade wandering if its not sharp. on wider boards.

   It will take a 4-6" board about as fast as you can shove it through.  I am thinking about a power feed.

   The saw will take 3" down to 1/4" blades.  I believe it will take a 1" to 1.5" with the factory set up, it takes special guides for the smaller blades.  I have the guides and have used it, but its to much trouble doing the set up to make it worth the bother.

   If you do not want it, I have a friend who has tried to buy mine for 10 years and is still looking for a used one.  They are over $2000 new.

   Hope this helps.

   Curt

1. 
   IronDog | Jan 02, 2003 04:23am | #2

   Thanks very much for the reply Curt.

   The machine in question is 4 years old has two blades and the optional resaw fence as well.

   I'm pretty sure I'm going to scrape my pennies together and try to get this puppy. I'm waiting for a freight quote.

   If I decide not to or can't come up with dough I'll put you in contact with this person so your friend can pick it up.

   Regards,

   Tom

2. 
   Telemike | Jan 02, 2003 08:55am | #3

   I bought an earlier model that had suffered a leaky roof at the whole earth access in Berkeley.  It had a rusted table and they let it go really cheap.  I brought it home in a '75 westphalia camper (another adventure) about 17 years ago.  I've been through many blades, i've even sharpened one myself to rough saw logs.

   I bought it to rough saw logs.  It's incredibly sensitive to the condition of the blade and likes to wander.  I'm going to set it up with a narrower timberwolf blade (about 1 1/2") which may work better.  I'll make guides from lignum vitae and the bearing looks like it will move far enough forwards.

   I don't use the fence to resaw anymore.  I mark the side of the flitch with a marking tool at the right thickness and use a rounded verticle jig at the tip of the blade and the right separation (for my veneer) and hand cut.  I thickness sand the flitch after every veneer leaf is cut off.  This works OK, but leaves a very scored cut surface.

   I use it also for cutting tenon cheeks with a depth stop.  Nothing, even my flawed Delta tenonning jig, cuts cheeks so well. 

   It has a universal motor that shrieks - always use ear protection.  It has a homemade dust shroud just under the table and another dust outlet at the rear base.  Dust collection is fairly good.

   I wouldn't buy it again.  I'd buy a good 16" or 18" bandsaw that does it all.

1. 
   IronDog | Jan 02, 2003 06:04pm | #4

   Hi Mike,

   Thanks for the reply.

   I'm amazed that even with a 3" blade that there is wandering.

   Interesting to know you wouldn't buy again and instead get a larger overall bandsaw.

   That thought has been going through my mind as well. Selling my 16" and upgrading. There is a new 23" Holz-Krieger for sale here. Ah! Decisions,

   decisions!

   Tom