HF Metal Bandsaw

[Tbonz]

I strengthened the legs on my HF metal bandsaw, as suggested in another thread to great advantage. The vertical cutting plate seems a bit flimsy.Has anyone replaced or strengthened the vertical cutting plate on their HF metal bandsaw?

I'm considering making a new vertical cutting plate out of aluminum, an 8 X 8 X 1/4" plate. Do you feel this would be an improvement over the existing one?

[Geno]

I use a 3/8" plate of carbon steel, makes it like a new machine.

[Mike Hull]

I used 1/8" plate(mild steel, I believe) on mine.
I noticed immediate improvement, especially in noise reduction, even with that thin stock.

[Osprey Guy]

I just successfully enlarged the work rest on my KMG last night. I used 3/8" aluminum (which I was lucky enough to have Keith aka Neon007 cut out for me and polish). Used 1/4" bolts and countersunk so that they're nice and flush. It worked great...Real solid...real smooth, and real big!

Now that I see how easy that was, I plan on moving on to my HF bandsaw and replace that flimsy cutting plate (Gotta see if I can get Keith to cut me out another piece of that aluminum).

Might sound corny to you guys, but all this shop stuff is still new to me...I'm having fun!


Dennis Greenbaum

Yeah Baby!

[Tbonz]

I went ahead and made a new plate out of 1/4" Aluminum and it worked out fine. I profiled my first knife on the HF saw yesterday, using the stock blade. Now to get a new bi-metal blade.
Geno, The 3/8" plate must of made one rock solid working surface.

Osprey, like you I'm new to this metal shop stuff and I'm haveing a great time setting up my shop and acquiring metal working tools.

[Geno]

I like solid tools.
More strength, more power,AhrrAhhhrrrrr!
The Tool Man:cool: