Wilmac bandsaw restoration.

[Retired]

Hi,

Thanks Gary. I restored a big Startrite bandsaw quite a while back which I used for a number of years and recently sold it to make space. I've mentioned this Wilmac before so possibly you remember it from then and yes it's going to end up with a shiny new cream/white machine enamel finish.

I doubt I would break even Gary on these restorations because having paid the normal going price for the saw or other machine then for one of these restorations parts need to be bought such as bearings; belt and electrical gear I would never make anything out of it; these restorations are a labour of love to me and I do enjoy restoring old cast iron machinery; I derive as much pleasure out of the restorations as in using them and usually I end up with a top quality machine built to last many years unlike the modern tinny rubbish put out for the DIY sector. This small Wilmac has an impressive capacity of 6" deep cut and a 12" throat whilst occupying a small footprint; it won't cut metal unless I gear it right down for speed. I bought some industrial strength super glue at a Rufforth event and perhaps this will glue the two casting sections back together again; at Rufforth the seller was demonstrating just how strong this super glue was; he had two very big steel hexagon nuts and he applied about six dabs of this glue to one of the nuts then rubbed the second nut into close contact; after only holding the nuts together in his hand for a few seconds he amazed those watching by throwing the nuts onto a hard floor; they remained firmly glued.

I'm not sure if the casting was flawed Refugee but yes something has contaminated the break line; cast iron is such fragile stuff to play around with and doesn't stand abuse; it's possible that the break occurred during assembly because the casting is quite a tight fit into the frame and if the set screws and nuts have been used to pull the casting in then this could easily fracture the casting? I've not yet got down to the paint job but the hammer finish is very thick indeed in fact it looks like it's been applied by a novice given the runs and curtains in its surface; its possibly the original finish because where the paint has chipped off there doesn't appear to be a different colour beneath?

I'd have thought a frame of this size would have been easy to cast Lawrence rather than play around with two castings; as you rightly say many casting joints are located with dowels (roll pins) these being added after the parts are perfectly aligned. I'm pleased you mentioned dowels Lawrence because I removed the big nut on the top wheel assembly thinking the heavy metal round support would then simply punch through but when I looked closely there is a locating pin and had a novice attacked this with a hammer the story would have ended immediately? It's so easy to wade in at full speed when stripping these old machines only to inflict a great deal of damage. As an apprentice I used to scrap lots of big machinery and at times this meant breaking up cast iron with a sledge hammer; it's strange how when I want to break cast iron using so much force it simply laughs at me but to tap a small casting such as this Wilmac could easily see it fall apart. The only difference between a good and bad restoration is usually a bit of time and patience?

This Wilmac isn't a big saw so shouldn't tax me too much during its restoration. The main areas for concern are the broken casting; the worn shaft then truing the tyres; the rest should be simple enough and such projects are well worth the time and trouble; it gives a nice buzz to be able to put one of these machines back into full service; much better than simply parting with a wad of cash for a new machine?

Kind regards, Col.