Looking for my first band saw on the cheap and I found a 14″ Reliant on sale for $50 but the seller says it needs a 1 HP motor. If I can find a used motor for around $50 then I’d go for it but I have no idea what size/type pulley the motor would need, and I’m guessing the seller doesn’t either. I know the Reliant brand is akin to something like Harbor Freight so I know it’s not worth much trouble, but the wallet is a bit slim at the moment.
I suppose I could find the right HP motor at the local electric repair shop but does anyone have advice on what size/type pulley I should look for to go with this saw?
PS. I know the general advice is gonna be to skip this one altogether and look for something better, but there’s just no other way I’m gonna find this cutting height (which I need) at the ~$100 price range.
Replies
Your pulley size can't be determined until you have a motor. Ideally your motor should be 1725 rpm but a 3450 motor might work if you put the right combination of pulleys, but should be a last resort. Which brings me to the other part of the question do you know the size of the pulley on the saw?
This site should help. Set all the specs for the saw and adjust the pulley size until the blade speed approaches 3000 fm
https://www.blocklayer.com/band-saw-eng.aspx
Awesome post. Thanks
It is really an awesome calculator. I don't know if you noticed but if you enter all the measurable specs in calculates belt size and blade length as well, saving a lot of trial and error . I wish I could take credit for creating it but alas I only found it by blind luck and Google.
Thank you that's great advice. So I need to look for a 1 HP 1725 rpm motor. Feel much better about this now.
Don't know anything about the pulley on the saw but the seller seems helpful. If he can provide it should I ask for it's diameter? I'm guessing if measured at the flange the measurement would be somewhat inflated.
And on that link Holy Cow I never imagined someone would have developed a tool so handy to my problem here. Can always count on the woodworking community!
The simple fact is if you want the saw and all the other elements, bearings, wheels aren't cracked, etc. check out buy it. You can figure out the pulleys later.
A Link V belt should work in getting it right.
I agree with all of the above. I notice in the 1st picture that the saw has had a riser block installed. This provides a greater cutting height as compared to the stock set-up and can be a plus. However, when those are installed, an extended blade guard is also required. Make sure it has one or that you can get one for it (it is also possible to make one if you are able). You can check by simply lowering the guide arm all the way down and make sure the guard covers the blade for the full height. With the greater cutting capacity, you might consider getting a larger motor. Since you have to buy one anyway, I would go for a 1 1/2 hp. IMO, you can't have too much power (within reason).
Yes. If the saw is in good workable condition, go for it. You can work out these details after you get it.
I'll learned enough about replacement parts now that I'll probably go ahead and buy the saw. I've gotten advice to make sure the wheels turn freely and that the bearings sound ok. Any other advice on what to check out on the saw when I do the inspection?
In the picture, at least, the rear blade guard is missing. You really need one. Check the upper and lower blade guides. If you need to replace them, it could cost more than the saw.
John has sharper eyes than mine. Yes. You need that rear guard and, if you can find it for sale (ebay ?) it might be expensive. Don't use the saw without it. However, when I put a riser block on my Delta, I made a rear guard from 1/4" acrylic and modified my front guard with some sheet metal. So, If you can do that, it shouldn't be a deal killer.
Yes there is one more thing not all motors rotate in the same direction. Make sure you get a motor with the proper rotation. The saw should be rotating clockwise when facing it. Which usually means your motor needs to rotate counter clockwise. I also second the 1½hp choice if your circuit is 20 amps I'm assuming 120V US Power. A 1½ hp motor may run on 15 A for a bandsaw which doesn't have the largest startup load, unlike a dust collector but it's marginal.
Also doesn't hurt to ask the owner if he has the missing parts. He may have them thrown somewhere not even knowing what they are.
You may want to keep looking. I found a 14" Rockwell for $200. When loading it I found that the motor had been replaced with a new Delta motor. I de-rusted the table and changed the tires. It's like a new saw now
Unfortunately someone else got to this 14" right before I committed. I ended up with a decent 12" Craftsman instead. Sturdy factory base with some kind of original built-in digital readout although I'm not sure if it works. Saw runs fairly well with 6" cut height, 2 speeds, 1.25 hp, and a huge table that tilts 45 deg.. Any suggestion for good performing but economical belts or tires? I'm finding sets of tires on Amazon for around $18 but I'm wondering if that's too cheap to be any good.
That's a good saw. You won't be doing big resaws on it, but it will make great furniture. It's been a long while since I owned one, so I can't say much about tires and such.
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