Shane,

 

I am really enjoying seeing this machine get reborn. Did you talk about how you repaired that crack in the upper wheel?  If I don't see you prior to it, have a great Thanksgiving.

 

Andy

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks Larry,and Andy.

 

Now that I think about it I don't think I posted about fixing the crack, and I don't think I took any pics while I did it either 

 

Basically what I did was V-ed out the crack using a triangular file then welded it with nickel rod. I put down a 1/4 inch long bead, stop and let the metal cool down, clean it and then do it again. I have had good luck welding cast iron this way, the main thing is just make sure the metal doesn't get hot. It took several hours to weld a bead across the top and bottom of the rim. After I was done welding I used a file to smooth out the bead so it was flush with the surface of the wheel.

 

Shane

 

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

I have made a little progress since my last post but don't have to many pics to share just yet.

 

I got the old motor tore down, installed new bearings and a new paint job and she purrs like a kitten.

 

The motor is a 5 hp 3 phase Westinghouse motor.

 

 

Next I made a 3 3/4 inch diameter flat belt pulley for the motor and got the motor mounted to the base. With the 14 inch pulley on the saw and 36 inch wheels this will give me a blade speed of 4400 sfpm. After getting the motor mounted I stitched up a leather belt to drive the saw.

 

I got the magnetic starter mounted and fired up the saw for the first time. I ran it without a blade at first and noticed the bottom wheel had a good 1/4 inch of runout. Mounting the spindle in the lathe and truing it up took care of the problem but that meant I had to recrown the tire since I crowned it before the wheel was running true.

 

Next I balanced the bottom wheel using a method similar to what is described here.

 

Next I made a blade for the saw and checked the runout on the top wheel, which was very minimal, then I balanced it. It will now pass the nickel test but I can still feel a little vibration, which I'm fairly certain is coming from the belt. I have my old 20 inch Crescent band saw sold so as soon as I get paid I will invest in a better belt.

 

I am now debating whether or not I want to make some wheel guards for the saw. I did make a blade guard that mounts to the guide post, having a couple of feet of exposed blade right there where my hands will be made me very nervous, but I don't think I'll make any guards for the wheels.

 

Overall I am very pleased with the saw, it's quiet and runs smooth. A few more minor things left to do and it will be ready to be put to work. I will post some finished pics when I get to that point.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Shane

 

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Outstanding job Shane!! After seeing the saw together I do like the color.

Now, just waiting for the video and to see it all together.

 

Ken

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

I would love to see a picture or two of the whole thing in working condition, but either way, that is great that you got this thing running again. I know it had one foot in the grave and I wonder how many of those other machines under that car port will ever run again like this one.  Great work.

 

Andy

 

Edited November 4, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks guys.

 

I have been putting the finishing touches on it today. Got the electricals all done. Got rid of the leather flat belt I made earlier and made a new one out of rubber, which works a lot better. I painted the wheel pulley and also got started fabbing up a mount for the lower Wright blade guide.

 

I should pretty much be done tomorrow and I will make a new post with the final pics.

 

Shane

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Woohoo ... the restoration is complete. Take a look and let me know what ya think.

 

Enterprise Manufacturing Co. 36 inch Band Saw

 

 

Saw Specs:
Manufacture - Enterprise MFG. Co. in Columbiana, Ohio
(no serial # or model # stamped on badge or anywhere else on the saw).
Wheels - 36" by 2". Upper wheel is spoke. Bottom wheel is solid cast iron.
Main Table - 30½" by 36½", tilts to 45 degrees.
Auxiliary Table - 15½" by 19¼".
Blade Length - 223½"
Blade speed - 4,244 sfpm.
Cut Capacity - 18" resaw and 35½" between C-frame and blade.
Blade tension is provided by spring and counter weight.
Wheel pulley is 14", also made by Enterprise.
Overall height of the saw is 96"
Weight of saw with motor approximately 2900 lbs.

Motor Specs:
Manufactured by Westinghouse
3 phase 5 h.p. induction motor
220 volts 13 amps 1740 rpms.
Motor pulley is 3 3/4"

Mobile base with leveling screws measures 31" by 67".

Purchased for $100

 

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

As purchased

After restoration.

 

Passing the nickel test.

 

Wright blade guides.

The upper is original, the lower one is one I had kicking around the shop.

I also had to fabricate the mount for the lower guide.

 

Leveling feet made from 7/8" threaded rod.

Fixed knobs and pivoting feet I turned on the lathe.

 

 

Shown in the raised position.

 

 

 

I also made a tommy bar to assist with lifting the 2900 lb. saw off the ground.

 

Square D magnetic starter.

Counter weight, which I also turned on the lathe,

made from solid 2¾" bar stock.

 

One thing I thought that was interesting is the 14" wheel pulley was

also made by Enterprise. It has the same casting numbers as the saw

which all start with a *D (star symbol and the letter D).

 

Rebuilt Westinghouse motor with shop made pulley.

 

Rear blade guard and push start/stop station.

 

The front blade guard

(which is kind of hard to see in this pic, it shows up better in the first pic)

I made from 1½" by 2" by 1/8" angle iron.

 

 

As far as I know this saw is one of a kind. I have looked at every single band saw on the Vintage Machinery website, and there are 100s of them, and I can't find another one like mine.

 

I am having a hard time dating the saw. It was originally ran with a line shaft and flat belt pulleys so that would make it late 1800s or early 1900s, but unlike the other 100 year old machines that I have restored, this one has hex head bolts instead of square headed bolts.

 

More pics can be seen on my websiste here.

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Shane

 

Edited November 7, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Shane,

 

It looks like you've rescued another orphan.

 

Simply beautifull job on the restoration. 

 

 

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Once again awesome job Shane.

Where's the video?

 

Ken

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks guys. I am very impressed with this saw. It's built well, heavy castings, nice machined surfaces, and very well engineered. I am looking forward to giving it a work out.

 

Sorry Ken, no video yet, but I realized after looking at the pics again that it's tough to get an idea of how big this saw is. After dinner I will take another pic with something for scale.
 

Shane

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

That is a real Beauty, Awesome job Shane.

How long did it take you to rebuild it?

How much do you think it would be worth now? 

Really good looking paint job too.

 

Randy

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Nice job Shane!

That is a good looking saw...Now!

Very nice work!!!

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Man o man, that's some kind of magnificent work.

Randy it took just over a month of working on it on the weekends to restore it.

No idea how much it's worth now.

 

 

Here's one more pic with me hiding behind the saw for scale.

 

 

 

Shane

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Shane,

 

Awesome job! You've have outdone yourself once again!

 

Was the main casting that smooth or did you do some "Filling"?

That motor is perfect and leaving everything as a flat belt is simply the right thing to do.

Does the belt have a splice so you have that tick, tick, tick so you can pace your whole shop?

(kind of like a metronome) But, then that short belt might be too fast a pace for a 10-12 hour day. LOL.

 

Again, Great work!

You are my inspiration for my Walker Turner stuff I'm working on.

 

Ravan

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Thanks Ravan ... The casting was fairly smooth, more so than most of the other machines I have restored, but since I know I am keeping this one I spent about 4 days hitting it with body filler ... and sanding and sanding and sanding.

 

I decided not to use the steel clippers on this one to splice the belt, instead I did a lap splice, used epoxy glue to hold it in place and stitched it with thick nylon thread.

Shane

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Man that thing is HUGE, holy crud you could cut some pretty big logs on that puppy. lol

 

 

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

So darn beautiful as always. You set the bar so high for others to follow. I am impressed.!

 

Great job Shane!

 

 

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk

Shane,

 

As usual, you have set the bar high. The color choice is great and the black highlights really set it off. 

Are you going to make guards for the wheels and belt or use as is?

 

Congratulations on another successful restoration.

 

Lamar

Edited November 3, 20187 yr by Larry Buskirk