Bandsaw Housing
B17 Adjustable Bevel Bandsaw
Josh has a fascination with antique tools and in 2023 discovered an ancient B-17 Adjustable Bevel Band Saw. It is now solidly secured in the Boatshop and is working. The characteristic that defines it as different from regular bandsaws is the ability of the entire band saw blade to be tilted to a specified angle, rather than changing the angle of the bandsaw bed. This allows larger planks to be cut at variable angles, a benefit when cutting heavy planking for boats.
The design has beautiful Victorian curves, but has some distinct issues when it comes to modern safety, namely: the bandsaw blade is completely exposed; and the drive belts are completely exposed. These leave certain body parts vulnerable during breakage events!
The challenge was to provide the safety but still allow access to blades and belts after breakage events. Since the Ida May had just been completed, there was enough white oak left over to create a couple of frames to enclose to lower half of the bandsaw. There was just enough ply to fill the frames with reinforcing panels for stability and with removable doors for access to the parts. The two frames were secured to each other by front and back panels which can be removed if the cabinet has to be disassembled.
The design tapers down at the back to leave the rotating head free to move, but also to allow the original curves to show their form. For the colors, since the bandsaw had been recently been refinished in a questionable green (which could not change), with black panels and yellow highlights, the panels were painted black and frames yellow.
