Band welding

[bandmiller2]

There must be a cutoff point where a band milling business would benefit from buying band stock in a large roll and welding their own bands. Do we have any sawyers here that do that.?? Frank C.

[4x4American]

I have a lot of 14'-6" blades that I need down to 158"  so I am going to be trying to cut them and weld them as an experiment one of these days

[4x4American]

I'm pretty sure that band stock is just flat.  You either have to grind or stamp the teeth yourself.  Not sure you can get a roll with the teeth on.  But what do I know?  I'm not a doctor, I just play one in a movie..

[sealark37]

Yes, saw blade stock can be purchased in rolls for making your own blades.  Have a look at youtube, "Soldering band saw blades".  If you wish to weld your blades, blade welders are available for $800-$1000.     Regards, Clark

[pineywoods]

Welding up new blades from roll stock MIGHT be feaseable, but I doubt it would pay. Welding broken blades is a waste of time. I started a project a decade ago to pick up broken blades from other sawyers and weld them back together. Grind off the broken edges square and made a jig to hold the ends together. Tried gas, braze, silver solder, and mig. Annealed the weld and ground it flat. Then I found a sawshop with a resistance welder. $2 per blade.  Set, sharpen and put them back in use. They usually broke somewhere else before the first sharpening...Today's thin kerf band blades are a bargain. Oh yeah, I occasionally get a few that break after 2 or 3 sharpenings, but be honest, blade costs are a very small part of the cost of running a bandmill.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Welding up new blades from roll stock MIGHT be feaseable, but I doubt it would pay. Welding broken blades is a waste of time. I started a project a decade ago to pick up broken blades from other sawyers and weld them back together. Grind off the broken edges square and made a jig to hold the ends together. Tried gas, braze, silver solder, and mig. Annealed the weld and ground it flat. Then I found a sawshop with a resistance welder. $2 per blade.  Set, sharpen and put them back in use. They usually broke somewhere else before the first sharpening...Today's thin kerf band blades are a bargain. Oh yeah, I occasionally get a few that break after 2 or 3 sharpenings, but be honest, blade costs are a very small part of the cost of running a bandmill.

WM double hard 158" 1-1/4 045 blades are only $18 each delivered (lower 48 I presume), when bought 60 at a time.  Can mix styles.

[4x4American]

Right, but my thing is, I have a lot of brand spankin new blades that don't fit!

[terrifictimbersllc]

Can't post them on FF or Craigslist and sell them?

[drobertson]

they can be welded by tig, the main thing is knowing the base metal and carbon content of the base metal.  Resistance welding is the way to go hands down, just my opinion.  I've welded more steel cutting bands than I can count through 20+ years in the shop. 1/4" through 5/8",  the big horizontals took a 1", used the tig on these only a few times with success, but generally a pain in the butt.  As mentioned a lil earlier, by them, unless you want a start up band making facility or, just feel like doing it, either way, it could be done,

[Magicman]

Right, but my thing is, I have a lot of brand spankin new blades that don't fit!

Then you need more sawmills.  Problem solved.   :D

[4x4American]

Why didn't I think of that!

[Peter Drouin]

Right, but my thing is, I have a lot of brand spankin new blades that don't fit!

Then you need more sawmills.  Problem solved.   :D

Just what I was thinking MM. :D :D :D :D

[drobertson]

yea this makes sense,  1500 bucks for a welder, or 30,000 bucks for a mill,,

[Peter Drouin]

yea this makes sense,  1500 bucks for a welder, or 30,000 bucks for a mill,,

I was just kidding. :D :D :D :D   Hi drobertson.

[4x4American]

  everyone...I like that one   


I wonder if it works for bye also?  lemme see



BYE!

[Ga Mtn Man]

Why are you still here?  :laugh:

[4x4American]

What, am I vexing you?

[Ga Mtn Man]

You vexeth me not.  But you did say BYE!

[4x4American]

hahah...hard to tell things over the internet!

Don't ya know the FF is an addicting place I couldn't just up and leave!

[hunz]

I wonder if that loc-tite 5 minute epoxy would work to rebond blades together? It sure would be a whole lot easier than welding!













Just actin' a fool! You really think I guzzled that much purple drank!? Uhhh...What!!....What!!!! What!!!!....yeaaahhh!!!

[4x4American]

 :D

hunz

[bandmiller2]

You two pay attention now this is serious. When the weather gets better I may make a fixture to hold and accurately butt band ends. I think a momentary application of arc welder current will butt weld the two pieces then an anneal and smooth grinding. This morning the snow has a hard enough crust to support those hooved varmints Bambi and they were out stripping the bark on my fruit trees, was proud of my cat Mario he ran them out of the yard. Frank C.

[hunz]

Great point Frank, I see what you're saying! I think if we factor deer activity into the annealing process, we should end up with a nice weld! Haha

[Chuck White]

Great point Frank, I see what you're saying! I think if we factor deer activity into the annealing process, we should end up with a nice weld! Haha

Or FOOD!   ;D

[coastlogger]

A mig welder with 023 or 030 wire does the weld fine,anneal after welding. I have done them successfully but once I fixed the mill "issue"  that was prematurely breaking my bands,I now discard my broken,well fatigued bands.