Machine Builders Network+ Forums Thread Like Summary - DoAll horizontal bandsaw

Ok so I got a little impulsive at a recent auction and picked up a DoAll swivel base horizontal bandsaw for cutting big tubing and solids..my shop vertical bandsaw is not really 'cut' (sorry had to do it) out for sectioning steel tubing and solids and I needed a power feed saw to cut the big solids (like 3-4"diameter for making bushings) So I had a weak moment, spent some lifetime money and here we are..one big saw


So for the most part it KINDA worked once unloaded and given a preliminary exam, this saw came from gov't military auction so who knows what was done to it before it went to the auction, or if anything was wrong with it at all..I always assume the worst,maybe its got some part missing,broken,cracked,etc; but this machine was in used but pretty good shape..so it was set up to run on 480V 3ph, but the control box was made up for 208/220v..so I changed the band drive motor over to 208/220V. I plugged the band drive motor starter in with a screwdriver,the band motor ran but backwards..so I swopped two phases and it ran the right direction..The motor starter has an electronic trip for overcurrent protection but the control box disconnect had small fuses in it for 480V..now on 208/220V it pulled more and blew the fuses.


Of course the band drive motor pulled less current on 480volts so now I need to get new fuses for the drive motor on 220V..tried to start it and run it for a bit but the fuses blew on the motor control box disconnect. Pulled some continuity checks and all is OK just need new fuses..of course no one has stock in them around here so I had to order them in..placed the order today but its a holiday weekend, Monday is a holiday so maybe next week I can try cutting something.
More to come on this project machine.

So to finish this off, I wound up rewiring the entire drive motor starter/control system, changed out the starter, control fuses and wiring..replaced the two housing safety switches, they were keeping the saw from starting, simply worn out! Changed the drive motor power wiring over with #12 cable,the original cable was #14, dry rotted and cracked in spots..changed out the worklight for an LED lamp, cleaned the swivel joint and relubed the bearings..Cut my first job on it, some 3x6" rectangular tubing..damn this is nice no more struggling trying to juggle and cut long sections heavy steel with an upright bandsaw..this is so much easier.
all in all works great finally, tons of cutting power..now just to build a pallet to move it around on when I need it.