¶ Pre-Requisites
Do the vertical band saw training.
¶ Basics
Usage of the horizontal band saw is very similar to the vertical band saw, with one key difference. On the vertical saw, the user pushes the part they wish to cut into the saw blade. On the horizontal saw, the part is stationary while the blade is pushed into the part.
We use the horizontal bandsaw primarily for cutting through solid aluminum stock. It can also be used for 1/8" aluminum box tube, angle bracket, or round metal tubes. If the tube is polycarb/plastic, it will warp when tightened in the vice potentially resulting in a skewed cut.
1/16" wall box tube should also be avoided, as the blade is not designed to cut through that thin of a material.
The following video encompasses the basics of operation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrLNVJ3tbtA
As you saw in the video, there are only 3 buttons on the saw: cut, e-stop, and drop. The cut button starts the blade and coolant flow, and makes the blade slowly drop onto the part. The e-stop button is self-explanatory, it stops the blade and coolant. The drop button causes the saw to slowly lower down to the part, whether the blade is moving or not. If the user is required to lower the blade, this is the only way to do so. The lift is controlled by a hydraulic and cannot be manually pushed down.
There is a dial at the top of the machine that controls the speed at which the blade drops down to the part. Always make sure this speed is low (1-3) before starting your cut. You can turn it up while making adjustments, or returning it to the down position after you have made the cut.
Unlike the video, the horizontal band saw in the Vandegrift shop has a handle on the side to lift it. Do not use the rotary hand-wheels, or the handles on the front blade cover.
¶ Operation
The usual steps for operation are as follows:
- Hit E-stop to ensure blade won’t move
- Lift saw by side-handle to make room for part in vice
- Open vice using vice handwheel
- Place part into vice
- Slightly tighten vice to ensure part doesn’t fall out
- Align blade with line to cut
- Fully tighten part
- Check speed-dial to make sure the blade won’t drop too quickly (between 1-3 depending on part)
- If part is aligned, and blade is not touching the part, press the button to start the saw
- Make sure drop-speed is slow enough that the blade isn’t chattering/screaming
- Wait until part is cut through fully and drops from the machine
- If part has been cut and machine hasn’t stopped, press the E-stop button
- Undo vice and remove leftover stock
- Leave saw in E-stop, making sure it is all the way down
¶ General Notes
- Never put your hands near the blade while it is on/moving
- Always be prepared to E-stop
- Make sure the part is secure in the vice
- DO NOT START THE SAW IF THE BLADE IS TOUCHING THE PART
- Don’t let the blade drop into the part too quickly, if the part has sharp edges it could damage the blade
- Make sure there is space for the cut part to fall out of the machine
- Make sure coolant is flowing, and level of fluid is high enough to cover the lower section of the pump
- If the saw is making a large amount of noise while cutting, slow the drop speed
¶ Maintenance
Maintaining a clean and functional shop relies on every operator looking after the machines. After use of the horizontal band saw, make sure to keep it clean. This entails vacuuming out the metal chips from the around the saw and vice. One should also wipe the chips or coolant off of the vice.
Every once in a while (once a week during build season) the operator should open the front blade cover and vacuum out the chips from the inside.
¶ Quiz
- Where should the blade be relative to the part when the start button is pressed?
- Touching the part
- NOT touching the part
- Does coolant need to be flowing when a cut is made?
- Yes
- No
- Coolant is overrated
- Should your hands be anywhere near the blade when it is running?
- Yes, I didn’t want my hands anyway
- No, the blade is very sharp and will cut metal
- What should you be doing while the saw is making a cut?
- Talking with friends
- Looking at my phone
- Hand on E-stop while intently listening and watching the saw
- Eating some goldfish
- If you hear the saw screeching and chattering, what should you do?
- Slow the speed of the drop
- Scream with it
- Ignore it
- What should you do before starting a cut? (select all that apply):
- Make sure the blade is NOT touching the part
- Make sure the part is secured in the vice
- Make sure there is enough coolant in the tray
- Make sure there is space for the part to drop after it is cut
- Wear safety glasses
- What materials can be cut on the horizontal band saw? (select all that apply):
- Solid aluminum stock
- 1/16" wall aluminum box tube
- 1/8" wall aluminum box tube
- Wood 2x4s
- Round polycarb tubes
¶ Skillset Verification
- Lift saw using handle
- Align part with blade
- Securly fasten part in vice
- Adjust drop speed
- Power on and cut
- Remove leftover part, and return saw to downward position