SAWS 23501 Mound Road • Warren, MI 48091 Toll Free (800) 899-8182 • Local (586) 759-3100 Fax (586) 759-3106 • www.westbrook-eng.com
A BANDSAW BUYER’S GUIDE
Written by Martin Szarek of Westbrook Engineering Company Inc. With advances in bandsaw machine and blade technology, what were once considered cold sawing applications are now routinely accomplished with bandsaws. From structural beams to large solids, bandsaws are now a widely accepted method for efficiently cutting to close tolerances. Higher end bandsaws now come equipped with productivity enhancing features such as CNC controls, vibration dampening devices, blade deviation monitors, ballscrew material feeders, variable frequency drives and more. When looking to purchase a bandsaw, consider the following: • Am I buying a machine with proper capacity? If you’re maxing out your machine’s capacity on a somewhat regular basis you most likely need a larger saw. A larger machine with a wider blade and more horse power generally will allow you to cut faster and straighter resulting in better efficiency. • Do I need to bundle cut? Horizontal bandsaws with wider blades and bundle clamps allow for efficient bundle cutting of solid and structural materials. • Do I need to miter cut? Tilt frame vertical bandsaws are ideal for miter cutting applications especially where opposite hand miters are required on the same part. Many tilt frame bandsaws are capable of miter cuts to 30 degrees. If your application calls for miters in only one direction a “swing head” horizontal bandsaw can be a more economical solution in many cases. • Do I need to cut solid material? When cutting large solid round or square material a horizontal bandsaw is typically recommended due to their robust design and capability of utilizing wider blades. Also, larger horizontal bandsaws are typically designed with heavy duty saw beds and larger material clamps that are built to withstand larger and heavier work pieces.
If you are looking to purchase a used bandsaw from a machinery dealer consider the following: • Does the dealer utilize an extensive process that includes the inspection and adjustment or replacement of nearly every common wear part on the saw? If common wear parts such as blade guides, band blade wheels, variable speed pulleys, control switches and vise wear plates are not thoroughly inspected and routinely repaired or replaced, chances are the saw will not perform to your expectations. If the saw is not carefully tested and run off to close length and squareness tolerances, or if the saw’s feed rate is not properly calibrated, you may not be happy with your purchase. Are you in the market for a high quality used bandsaw? Contact the bandsaw experts at Westbrook Engineering and be sure to ask about our 20 point bandsaw inspection and repair process.
Visit our website at www.westbrook-eng.com to view our entire inventory.
About the Author: Martin Szarek is Vice President and co-owner of The Westbrook Engineering Co. – a family owned company specializing in new and used metal fabricating machinery. Other Westbrook services include online auctions and liquidation services. Westbrook Engineering is in their 52nd year of business and has been a proud member of the MDNA for 35 years! 12
March 2016
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23501 Mound Road • Warren, MI 48091 Toll Free (800) 899-8182 info@westbrook-eng.com www.westbrook-eng.com
THE BANDSAW EXPERTS
A SAMPLING OF USED BANDSAWS IN STOCK WITH IMMEDIATE DELIVERY!! 10.2" x 11.8" Behringer Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model HBP260A, '94 12" x 12" Cosen Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model AH-300, '98 16" X 16" Kasto Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model Twin A4, '08 16" X 25" Hyd-Mech Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model M-16A, '08 16.5" x 16.5" Missler Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model DEB420, '89 18" x 20" Hem Automatic Dual Column Horizontal Bandsaw Model H130HA-DC, '95 24" x 22" Everising Master Cut Double Column Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model H-560-HA, '96 25" x 30" Hem Semi-Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model F160LM-DC, '99 25" x 36" WF Wells Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model B25-2, '77 40" x 40" WF Wells Automatic Horizontal Bandsaw Model S-40-3A-3CNC, '08 144" x 8' Tannewitz Vertical Plate Cutting Bandsaw with Programmable Controls Model 3000-MH8, '93 18" x 20" Hyd Mech Semi-Automatic Vertical Bandsaw Model V-18, '00 18" x 20" Hem Vertical Automatic Cutoff Saw Model V100-LA2, '97 18" X 22" Hyd-Mech Semi-Automatic Vertical Bandsaw Model VW-18, '14
IN STOCK Westbrook Engineering Heavy Duty 5' & 10' Conveyors
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March 2016
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