Let's Fabricate a Belt Guard for my Bandsaw!

Fabricating a Belt Guard for my 1932 Craftsman Bandsaw

[@Preso58]

It's always worth the extra effort to consider the aesthetics of any build. If it looks nice, it's going to be a pleasure to use. Great job, Mark.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

You're right. Thanks

[@alandesgrange9703]

The definition of a great job, is when the finished product looks original to the machine. You nailed it.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I was hoping for that result but I was surprised it looked so nice.

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

The guard came out good, work of art. Your projects are always interesting, thanks for posting.🐞

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I'll have to say, I was surprise it looked so nice. This saw has been fun.

[@rickmartinson5252]

Hello Mark, I just watched your saw guard video. Quite a project !!! Half the fun of restoring old iron is just the process of fabrication. Next time build the guard out of 1/2" steel !!! HaHaHa

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Haha... yeah it was a little thick but it made it easy (or more forgiving) to weld.

[@jubiletabustamanteserrano2446]

SIEMPRE MEJORANDO LO QUE TENIAS ECHO .FENOMENO

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@wallaceknifeworkshomestead]

Fantastic!! I like it!!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you very much!

[@JamesP_TheShedShop]

Right on 👍🏻 Excellent fab. Looks great

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks 👍 I was actually surprised it turned out so well.

[@Ervan-l9v]

Nice fab work.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks

[@railroad9000]

Great job!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@alanjackson4397]

It does look very cool

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks Alan!

[@WCC209]

Looks great

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@christhompson475]

Looks awsome

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks for the comment!

[@outsidescrewball]

Great build….

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, it was fun

[@daviddazer2425]

I love how your stuff is always as attractive as it is functional. I like it!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I appreciate that! Thanks

[@mikepoore1653]

Nice job replicating the pattern in the blade guard. I was going to suggest adding a 3rd bolt to create a tripod for vibration reduction, but it did not sound like that is a problem.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks. A third hole probably would be a good idea although its fairy solid. Also there is no good way to position a 3rd hole.

[@kentuckytrapper780]

Looks great winky, alsome build..

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, I was pleased with the outcome as well.

[@howardosborne8647]

Nicely done,Mark. The guard looks like it is part of the original machine fitment... absolutely tremendous job👌

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks 👍 That was my goal.

[@angelramos-2005]

Absolutely a quality work,Mark.Thank you.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

It's amazing my terrible welding can look so good. Ha, thanks

[@rjay1674]

I like it!😀

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@billrotundo7814]

Nice Job!!!!!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@kellyodom9596]

I follow most of your stuff but this was great, looks like it grew there, sweet.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Grew? Interesting description but a good one. Thanks

[@Rustinox]

You're right. It looks really cool. It goes very well together.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, I'm happy with the outcome too.

[@RonCarr-ur8my]

Top shelf as usual Winky... Excellent display of ingenuity and skill I can" wait for the next episode. RC

[@RonCarr-ur8my]

Mark just a suggestion: To reduce a noted hazard of the guards openings a decorative metal screen may be welded to the inside of the guard, closing the open gaps......RC

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks a bunch!

[@jimfiles3307]

Mark, That looks spectacular. It’s a great day when everything goes as planned. I believe I have a copy of the 1932 Craftsman tool catalog and that bandsaw without the motor sold for $28.00. It would be interesting to see what it’s worth today. I think everyone would agree that it’s priceless and most definitely not for sale. It’s a beautiful tool. Congratulations.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Wow, $28 seems cheap but its all relative. I suspect I could get a good price for the saw but it would never compensate for all the work I did. But that wasn't the goal anyway.

[@pauldehaan3574]

Once again, very nice work. Thanks for sharing

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@tomnielsen3661]

I agree that it is a piece of art, it looks like it came on the saw, you have done a great job on it.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, this has been a rewarding machine

[@inssan6550]

When welding you seem to lift off too soon, don't forget to hold the torch on the weld for the gas post flow. HTH ;0)

[@WinkysWorkshop]

You're right, sometimes I forget. TIG is amazing and forgiving... I do okay but not great. Good thing I have filler and a grinder 😆. I'm old and shaky but also I don't weld thin metal much.

[@scrapdaddyron]

Sure looks cool is right!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I like it, Thanks!

[@randyshoquist7726]

Nice job. It's getting better all the time. Do you plan to make a rip fence? I recently did a speed conversion on a wood saw. I didn't anticipate needing one, figuring that I'd just freehand to layout lines. But I was so pleased with the saw's performance that I wanted to continue making improvements. So I made a rip fence. I'm surprised at how much I use it. It's a valuable accessory.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks! Hmm... never considered a fence. It might be handy but I cant imagine using it very often. I have considered making a new one for my table saw... dang thing must weight 35 lbs!

[@ThePottingShedWorkshop]

Looks fantastic. Nice one!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks! I just watched you replace the bearing on your shaper, good video. I found a South Bend shaper for sale locally. I thought about getting it but I'm short on space and have my Wells Index mill. Still I love the old machines!

[@richardbennett6053]

That came out terrific I hope you'll make a gard cover for the chain drive side to keep you safe.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks! I'm not too concerned about the chain but I may do that in the future.

[@robinson-foundry]

Looks like a million bucks! 😊

[@WinkysWorkshop]

thank you!

[@derschlotter5605]

Great job Mark, it’s perfect. 👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks you sir!

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Very nice work sir. That guard looks great

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you very much!

[@MA603lfod]

That looks really great. Nice fabrication project.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you very much!

[@brucematthews6417]

I LOOOOOOVVVEEEEE your paintbooth ! ! ! ! That got a hearty belly chuckle out of me ! ! ! Great job matching the belt guard to the look of the wheel covers. Looks count in the serious home shop after all. And ya, VERY cool.....

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you so much!! Yeah, its a nice paint booth. Self cleaning. Ha

[@lesmaybury793]

Another fine job young man. The nuts you call "acorn nuts" are known as "dome nuts" here in the UK. I prefer acorn nuts because where I grew up we had a huge oak plantation opposite my house originally planted to build battle ships for the Royal Navy. Then some spoilsport invented steel ships!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Funny.... steel floats! 😜 Thanks!

[@lesmaybury793]

@@WinkysWorkshop 😂😂😂

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Looks great as usual. I don't think you can save much ordering online unless you get free shipping. Thanks for the video keep on keeping on.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks Harold! For $1 more I'd get 50 of them with free 2-days shipping and never be without again! In my opinion places like Lowes are shooting themselves in the foot. If it's not to big to ship I can almost always do better on Amazon.

[@tomeyssen9674]

Nice! Really beautiful.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@markgeorge3960]

It DOES look cool! Nice work!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

Excellent job 👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@mikedyson7330]

Should have sanded the metal before you putt putty on . But nice job turned out good.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

It was ground the whole guarde with an 80 grit disc grinder. In my opinion sanding with the RO sander before filling would have potentially made the filler bond worse. It would provide an opportunity for fine dust to get in the larger scratches. Either way would likely be fine but I see no advantage to fine sanding before filling. Thanks, I agree, it turned out very nice.

[@glennwright9747]

Design of guards has changed a lot over the last century! 30 years ago when I was designing guards for electrical equipment a criteria was that a 1/2” diameter rod would not pass through the openings. Your design nicely matched the existing machine.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I used to work for a large printer. The printing unit had huge cast iron cylinders with a surface speed of anywhere from 1400 to 3000 feet per minute. They had these flimsy screens guards just hooked on the fronts of the units that did almost nothing and would not stop a persons weight leaning against them. The cylinders would pull your arm off without hesitation. Accidents rarely happened but when they did it was terrible. In the 1980's I begged then to put better guards in place and they refused to do so. Then sometime in the 90's OSHA change the laws about guards. The biggest change was that the company would be held liable for accidents resulting from inadequately guarded machinery instead of the machine manufacturer. That is when the INSANITY started. They had special stepped rulers and if you could touch a pinch point through a guard it was not adequate. The machinery became almost unusable! Vision was totally obstructed. And get this... over the years the major bad accidents went down but head bumps, smashed fingers and cuts went way up. There has to be a balance between safety and personal responsibility. Yes the work force changed as well. We went from back yard mechanics to cell phone technicians. This new work force had no clue about pinch points and felt like it was not their responsibility to be safe. Instead, it was the companies responsibility to keep THEM safe. There needs to be a balance!!!! Bottom line, I am SO glad OSHA has no say about the guards in my shop. Sorry for the rant.

[@glennwright9747]

@@WinkysWorkshop most of my customers were in pulp and paper. The large paper machines and winders were an accident waiting to happen. In the 70’s and 80’s guarding was almost nonexistent. There were some horrible accidents. I think Canada lagged behind the US in some of the safety measures. I think the large calendar stacks and the winders were the scariest equipment with hands and fingers way too close to nip points. If a person was caught it usually took a hand or arm. With the required guards it was difficult to thread in the traditional way, but then threading trays and air jets were developed and it made the risk much lower, you didn’t have the operator manually transferring the tail between sections. I think I banged my head too many times with a hard hat ducking under piping, never seemed to allow enough clearance for the hat. Head was ok, but neck takes a blow.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

@@glennwright9747 As I said, I begged for better guards. I'm 100% for safety but take my bandsaw as an example. For sure the chain would need a guard but otherwise you'd really have to be foolish to get hurt. The upper wheel in the back is wide open and holes are too big in the front. Common sense should tell you, DON'T PUT YOUR FINGER IN THE GUARD HOLE. Nevertheless, it would never pass the guidelines. Then the absurdity of "Point of Operation", the blade itself is the biggest hazard but a change in name makes it okay. I'm all for regulation, industry will almost always put profit before people and safety but what I experienced was nothing short of insanity.

[@rickhand8228]

That came out nice!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, I was happy with it too

[@hogan6216]

Well done....Very nice....

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks a lot

[@terrycannon570]

Mark I got stuck with $34.18 in shipping to ship something that weighed 12 ounces from Clausing. That is $2.85 an ounce. We are being robbed regardless of where we buy things. I made a guy mad at me when I said I not interested in the estate auction. Auction house got 15% and then added another 4% to use electronic funds and another $20 per item to hand carry it to the person that put it in the box and then freight on top of that.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Greed is terrible and I don't understand it. Its a sickness. Normal heathy people become more generous as they grow wealth. So many have this mentality that "More is always Better" and the stock market feed this concept. YEP, I stopped going to auctions for the same reason. Terrible.

[@aarondean8299]

Looks awesome. Aaron from Canada.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks Aaron!

[@daveticehurst4191]

Great outcome Winky. Did you have another Brain Fart when drilling the hole pattern. You had gone round the pattern and used a 1/2 inch drill, you then changed to a 1/4 drill for the outer pattern then swapped for a 5/8 drill. Why did you not use the 1/2 inch drill already in then open up to 5/8 inch. Would have saved you 1 drill swap ? Regards from Australia.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, I think it looks great. In hindsight that would have been fine but I've had issues getting a clean hole if the pilot is too big. The first hole was 5/16 and I dropped it to 3/16. I need to do some research on this. I'm sure somebody has a more scientific approach than my past experience and trial and error.

[@robertwalker7457]

Very nice and fits in well. Great to see the rotary table being used too. They are a great but under rated tool sometimes. Thanks.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks! I'd like to see and rotary table with a 48 tooth gear under the edge of the table. With 48 you get a lot of combinations and the gear would be exact and allow you to lock the table.

[@65cj55]

Looks real good Winky.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, I was pleased.

[@billybike57]

Awesome design, looks great!👍🏼 😊

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, yeah. I like the guard. This project has been fun.

[@donKenner-e6e]

Looks professional.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, looks original for sure.

[@cavemansmancave9025]

Hi Wink. Out of pure curiosity, what year and model is your Index? Mine’s a 645 of ‘50’s vintage. Nice job on the belt guard. Thanks. John

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, if I remember right it's a 1954 but for sure its a model 40. Very nice mill. It was very dirty when I got it but very little wear.

[@terrycannon570]

Mark, I love the decorative design on the guard. These old machines deserve people like you and me. They have served their time. Watching the way, you used the rotary table is a great way to do it. I think rather than trying to figure the tool offset like you did I would have just used the1/4" end mill and make a slice right down the center and then move over to blend in the two edges. I've enjoyed the video and enjoyed my day. I've been enjoying the fall weather and am in the process of re-cutting some damaged gears in my quick-change threading box. It is an interesting challenge for me.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I've had terrible luck cutting gears. They look great but they are always noisy. Standard gear cutter are a compromise although I might also be overlooking something. I'm getting ready to build a hobbing attachment for my mill. The electronic are over my head but I think with a little help I'll make it work. As for the method on milling the slots, the method you suggested would work but the hole on the bottom would need to be larger. Its confusing to think about.

[@MyMiniHomeWorkshop]

That turned out very nicely. I'm really glad you did what you did with the slots, I'm currently building a Model Steam Engine from scratch, ie: it's not a kit and I want to machine some spokes into my flywheel, I was pretty sure I had my head around how I was going to do it, but you just confirmed it for me. 👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thats cool. Be sure and lock the table down well. This was thin metal and easy to cut.

[@MyMiniHomeWorkshop]

@@WinkysWorkshop Yeap, I've been caught out before not locking down the table, once bitten twice shy.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

@@MyMiniHomeWorkshop Mine moved a little even though I locked it. That's why I brought it up.

[@howder1951]

Great guard design Mark, like you said, it's a whole lot of work, but when it goes well, it is just fun, cheers!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

It really is! Thanks

[@AtticusDraco]

Very nice Good job

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks!

[@magicbytes3835]

Hello Winky, I think you overlooked something, I might be wrong, when you go to change speeds from metal to wood and back again will the pulleys clash with the new guard?, you never showed us that part. other than that great work, thanks for sharing, cheers from me. 😃👍👍👍👍👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Sorry I made a video last week where I modified the drive on the other side. That video showed the speed change. The motor has a shaft at both ends. For wood the saw is driven directly from the other motor shaft. The slow down section is still running in wood mode but not driving anything. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKO6qWNvi65mkLc

[@magicbytes3835]

@@WinkysWorkshop OH, I see how it works now, really cool, excellent job, thanks for sending me the link to go watch it, cheers from me. 😃👍👍👍👍👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

@@magicbytes3835 No problem!

[@richardcalladine3140]

Do you have video of the slip roll if not it would be a good one to do thanks

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Unfortunately, I made that pre-youtube.

[@jeff1176]

Looks great Mark. I'm currently building both versions of your machine skates to move my beasts around my garage before building my new workshop next year, hopefully.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks on the guard. Did I make two versions? I asume you mean the L shaped version. They work well. Consider putting the Vevor leveling casters if the weight rating is adequate. They are super handy if you have a flat floor.

[@shawndubay4050]

Very nice work. Turned out amazing. If I wouldn't have seen you make that beautiful guard I would have thought it was the original that was made with the machine. Absolutely excellent work. Oh the better the shielding gas around the weld pool is critical with mig and tig welding especially on outside corners. I learned the hard way in vocational school until my teacher gave me a bigger cup for the tig torch and helped me set my gas correctly. If I remember correctly it was a bit high causing the gas to swirl and introduce air into the puddle. But after that it was smooth sailing.🙂👍👍

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks! I've been TIG welding maybe 2 years but not very often. I've played with cup size in the past and never noticed a difference but I suspect it was because I was not welding an outside corner. It helped a lot! I doubt I'll ever be a great welder, just not steady enough but I do like tig welding the best. Very forgiving I think.

[@shawndubay4050]

@@WinkysWorkshop Your welcome. I have found tig welding is a bit easier when you're able to have your work piece on a steady table and you're able to get your arms and hands comfortably braced . I know a person can't always do that. Steadiness, adding enough filler material, heat control, travel speed and having a good gas setting with the right cup and practice. Also take your time. KZbin can help too. I have seen people tig just like I tought other students while taking a college coarses in welding. Teacher assistant sort of. If you can oxygen acetylene flame weld good you can definitely do great with tig. The only difference is that you have a lot more control over the heat/weld penetration into the steel and you use shielding gas. Your doing good just practice and you will have it mastered before you know it. You can do it I know you can.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

@@shawndubay4050 I'm sure i will improve over time. I do fairly well with thicker steel but I'm totally impressed that I can even weld sheet metal.

[@tunafish3216]

It looks like you’re making a LOGO for Walmart. LOL

[@WinkysWorkshop]

:o(

[@kitmaira]

I’m pretty much a novice at TIG welding, but I’m wondering if mill scale is contaminating your welds?

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I might have missed some, I cleaned it well however. The biggest help was changing to a larger cup size. I'm a novice also.

[@Vikingwerk]

Really nice guard, looks like it came with the saw! Lowes/home depot are terrible places to buy fasteners, they stick it to you on those packaged ones. The best places are Tractor Supply, Murdochs, or any other mid-size hardware store that still sells them by weight, not by each.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

I was surprise it looked so nice, thanks! I don't mind paying a premium for convenience but $2 buck would have been much more appropriate than $7 for the acorn nuts.

[@OldguyChris]

It does look cool

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks Chris!

[@leslieaustin151]

Really nice job, but I winced when, at the end of the video, you leaned on the table with the saw running… thought we’d see a sliced elbow! Thanks for another great project on camera. Les 🇬🇧

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks, Hmm... I didn't feel my elbow was at risk.

[@dcraft1234]

You could make a buck making steel guitars!

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Haha... never thought of that.

[@TERRYB0688]

Nice job Mr Winky 🤔

[@WinkysWorkshop]

Thanks Terry!

[@ellieprice363]

Good looking guard. You quickly forget about the work if you’re satisfied with the product.

[@WinkysWorkshop]

So true. It was a lot of work but also fun.

[@billbeevers6864]

Grinder and Paint makes you the Welder you ain't 😊

[@WinkysWorkshop]

You got that right!