Bandsaw for turning

[Bill Boehme]

Ring shake is fairly common in mesquite. Those of us who love to turn it watch for signs of ring shake and use various ways to stabilize it.

 

[Bill Raker Jr]

Yes I use my minimax 16" at full depth often. For me it's just easier than the chainsaw. the only hard part is picking up the wood to that height. I put an extension table on my saw to make it easy to rip longer logs into turning blanks. I do support the log so it can't roll.

Would love to see picture of your table extension.

 

[John K Jordan]

Odie, I think that is a fairly common part if you're talking about the cast aluminum-zinc alloy that adjusts the upper wheel tilt and tension. I bought a Delta clone about 35 years ago and that part broke when the saw was only 5 or 6 years old. The aftermarket replacement was much higher quality and is still in perfect shape.

That casting was apparently a common failure on the Delta saws. I suspect the clones just copied the weakness.
On my old Delta with a riser block the casting didn't break but bent enough to make it useless. Fortunately Iturra Design had direct replacements parts manufactured, much stronger than the original. I replaced it and all was well for the remaining years I used the saw.

If the part was not available now, I probably try to make one from a higher grade of aluminum or steel. My little machine shop is sitting there sad and lonely, waiting patiently for some attention.

JKJ