Edinburgh Hacklab

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====== Startrite Bandsaw ======
Startrite 18-T-10 bandsaw

{{:startrite_bandsaw.jpg?400|}}

===== Specs =====
  * 18" throat
  * 10-speed
  * Blade length: 114"
  * Drive belt: 50" external / 48" internal A-section V-belt

Laser cuttable design for the acrylic piece that goes in the centre of the table, 8-9mm thick: {{ :startrite_bandsaw_cutout.dxf | startrite_bandsaw_cutout.dxf }}
===== TODO =====
  * Install dust collection
===== Training =====

Training for this tool can be given by either of the maintainers listed below.

See [[https://training.ehlab.uk|training.ehlab.uk]] for details.

Also see [[https://ehs.yale.edu/sites/default/files/files/vertical-band-saw.pdf|Yale Bandsaw Training]] for extra advice

===== Speeds =====

^ Material ^ Speed (feet/min) (thickness < 0.5") ^ Speed (feet/min) (thickness > 0.5") ^
| Aluminium * | 1000 | 700 | 
| Brass  - Cast | 320 | 180 |
| Brass - Soft | 1800 | 1000 |
| Cardboard | 3200 | 3200 |
| Copper * | 1800 | 1000 |
| Iron - Cast | 180 | 100 |
| Leather | 3200 | 3200 |
| Plastics * *| 3200 | 3200 | 
| Rubber | 3200 | 3200 |
| Silver | 1800 | 1800 |
| Steel *| 180 | 180 |
| Wood | 3200 | 3200 |
* - cooling recommended in the manual.

* * - cooling recommended for perspex in the manual.
===== Saw blade width and minimum sawing radius =====
//Table copied from the manual.//

This is only a guide. Always err on larger radius side. Use relief cuts, and drill relief holes where necessary.
| Saw blade width | 1/8" | 3/16" | 1/4" | 3/8" | 1/2"  | 5/8" | 3/4"|
| Minimum sawing radius | 3/16" | 5/8" | 1" | 1 1/2" | 2 1/2" | 4"| 5 3/4"|


===== Bandsawing practice =====
//Copied from the manual.//

Maximum saw blade life : Medium saw blade tooth pitch, speed and feed.  

Minimum sawing time : Coarse tooth pitch, fast speed and heavy feed.  

Fine accurate finish : Fine tooth pitch, fast speed and light feed.

===== Troubleshooting =====
//Copied from the manual.//


**Blade wanders from true line:**
  * Excessive feed pressure.
  * Blade teeth dull or of too fine pitch.
  * Guide inserts not controlling blade wear or incorrect adjustment.
  * Blade tracking incorrect.
  * Loss of set to one side of saw teeth.

**Premature blade breakage:**
  * Excessive feed pressure, and/or too much blade tension.
  * Worn or incorrectly set guides.
  * Joint improperly welded and annealed.
  * Blade too wide for curved cut.
  * Bandwheels worn.
  * Blade teeth of too fine pitch.

**Blade bows in deep cut:**
  * Excessive feed pressure.
  * Blade teeth dull or of too fine pitch.
  * Insufficient blade tension, and/or blade too narrow for depth of cut.
  * Blade running off at start of cut.

**Blade teeth dull rapidly:**
  * Insufficient feed pressure.
  * Blade pitch too fine.
  * Guide inserts snagging set of teeth.
  * Speed too fast.

**Teeth tron from blade:**
  * Excessive feed pressure.
  * Gullets of teeth loading.
  * Pitch of teeth too coarse.
  * Blade speed too fast

**Blade developing twist:**
  * Excessive feed pressure.
  * Guide inserts snagging blade.
  * Blade too wide for radius of cut.
  * Excessive blade tension.
  * Blade not tracking correctly.
  * Loss of set to one side of saw teeth.

**Blade vibrates in cut:**
  * Workpiece not properly seated or securely held.
  * Blade speed too fast, and/or blade pitch too coarse.
  * Insufficient blade tension.

===== Trainers & Maintainers =====

The following members are authorised to provide bandsaw training:

  * Cameron Sharp (cazagen) 
  * Mike Walters (miek) 

If something is up with the bandsaw please contact one of the following people:
  * Cameron Sharp (cazagen)
  * Mike Walters (miek)
===== Log =====

//Started 09/06/2019 - maintenance prior to this may not be logged. //

  * **01/01/1970** Template log entry. Copy this below. //Author//
  * **09/06/2019** Found tool in an unusable state. Blade tracking was completely out, blade falling off back of wheels. Guide bearings were also mis-adjusted - blade was being forced into them and making a very angry noise when pulled through by hand. Spent 45 minutes re-adjusting the blade tracking to get the blade running true again, re-adjusted blade tension and guide bearings. //Alfie// 
  * **07/12/2019** Found the blade blunt. Cameron replaced it with a new one. //Vytas//
  * **18/06/2022** Fitted a new blade as the old one was blunt. //Mike//