Hey Woodshop Team,
Quick question, Do any of you know the maximum clearance for the Bandsaw? In particular, the distance between the Blade and the Column?
Here is a picture if my words aren’t clear enough.
Found the general spec on the wiki,
Looks like the measurement I was looking for is the “Throat”. The DMS Bandsaw has a throat of 17".
Do any members have access to a bandsaw with a throat of 20" or wider?
I’m looking to cut down so large rolls of vinyl from 54" to 2@ 20" and one about 14". Spoke to my supplier and they explained that their supplier does this with a large bandsaw, for the thin kerf and the very clean finished cut.
May be able to make this work with 17" rolls, the math works out well for a 54" donor rolls using nearly all the roll.
PS, Thank you to the member or members that put the manual in the wiki!
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If I understand what you’re asking, I think just a regular old chop saw would work if you’re just trying to cut a roll of material into 3 smaller rolls
That’s what i use. Works well and the edge in pretty clean.
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I haven’t tried a chop saw on vinyl rolls yet, but I have tried one on paper rolls.
I ran into an issue of poor cut quality and burning. This may be a question of strength of the motor, blade type and technique. But, Heat is a real concern with vinyl as the material can effectively adhere itself solid at the cut if it gets too hot. Also, edge quality is a concern as the machine I run this on does reference both edges of the vinyl.
In production there are 2 ways these are typically cut. First is slitting, using a large pizza cutter style blade and rotating the roll till the blade manages to cut all the way through. This gives an amazingly clean cut, but requires tools I don’t readily have access to. The other way is Bandsaws, given their thin kerf, high tooth count, and clean cut edges.
I would love to know how to do this cleanly with a Chop Saw, as those are incredibly easy to come by. But, I haven’t had success. @mikeglass could you send a picture of your cut so I can see the quality your getting?
Other dimension of note, the diameter of the vinyl roll is 5.5" - 6" in diameter on a 3" paper core. I believe this would require a Chop Saw with blade larger than 14" to do in one cut, but may work with multiple cuts on a smaller blade, given the ability to jig it up correctly. Shoot, It may be possible with a table saw given the correct blade, but what is the correct blade?
Thanks for the suggestions! Hoping we can solve this.
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More cool info!
Found another forum talking about this issue.
Found these 2 comments very enlightening.
For those wonder what a TCG blade is,
I am at least on track to something now.
This blade was suggested in the other forum, I’ll probably grab one to try out.
Hopefully, this will cut clean enough and not produce too much heat.
Still interested in bandsaws with larger throats if available.
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Hey Nick,
If you are planning to do this more than occasionally, i.e. a more than just a one- or two-off, and are planning on using a (sliding) miter saw, consider a set of two identical clamping jigs with a “V” configuration, one clamped down on either side of the cut, to hold the roll as still and stably as possible. I’d even toss in some sort of a hold-down piece on the top of each jig that could be lightly tightened down with a knob or whatever to hold/reference the roll to the jig better for good measure.
Ya dig?
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@Nick. Don’t forget we have this one too.
https://dallasmakerspace.org/wiki/Tools#Machine_Shop
I’ll measure the throat today and update here and the wiki
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The throat is 19.5"/495mm, usable height is 314mm / 12 3/8".
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@mblatz thanks for the suggestion, I had pondered an overly difficult 2x6 fed diagonally across a table saw for curved supports. The V jigs is such an better idea when it comes to building the jig. I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I hadn’t jumped to a V style jig as my first thought.
@talkers, great catch with the Metal Shop Bandsaw. I haven’t been around the space in a good while and had completely forgotten about it. 19.5 would be close enough for me to consider it “IDEAL!” I’m going to have to try this whole thing out now.
If anyone wonders what makes DMS a magical place, it is this. 1 person with a problem and the passion to tackle it. Merging with others walking by willing to lend a bit of knowledge, offer a hand, or just cheer you on.
Thanks for the help from everyone on the thread. I’m set to cut my vinyl rolls with the large bandsaw once I get a fine blade for it and even found a better chop saw cutting solution for my rocket tube cutting!
Two birds one stone and the second bird didn’t even know they were in the sights.
PS. Good to hear from you guys, glad your still around this joint.
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