Bandsaw options/Alternatives for Wheelchair

[Sheldon Gerber]

Anyone have suggestions for a benchtop bandsaw or another saw for cutting out bowl blanks, etc? I am in a wheelchair so this would need to be something
I can use when sitting in my chair. Maybe there's someone out there that works from a chair?
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks again,

 

[Pat Patterson]

Hi Sheldon,
You will want nothing smaller than a 14" saw. Watch Craig's list, Facebook market place and local online auctions. You should be able to get one fairly reasonably priced. If $ are tight the Harbour Freight saw is pretty much a copy of the old Deltas which have become an industry standard.
As far as height goes, remove the legs and build your self a wooden platform ideal for your height.

Pat

 

[john lucas]

A 14" saw with a stand that can be modified to make the saw lower. Some of them have angle iron stands that could easily be modified.

 

[Larry Crouch]

I am in a wheelchair. I have cut the legs off several pieces of equipment including a table saw. Cut the equipment down to the same height as your work bench.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

Anyone have suggestions for a benchtop bandsaw or another saw for cutting out bowl blanks, etc? I am in a wheelchair so this would need to be something
I can use when sitting in my chair. Maybe there's someone out there that works from a chair?
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks again,

It's hard to give specific advice, particularly if one has no experience working from a chair, and even then not everyone in a chair has identical limitations. And there's more considerations than just working height, such as how close you can wheel up to the work.

And bandsaw use varies, too. But assuming your bandsaw needs are typical for a turner, I agree that a 14" saw would be a better choice than a 10" model, or even a 12". A bench top model might allow you to construct a cantilevered bench letting you wheel in closer, but short of that, modifying a floor standing model will give you more features.

I have the Jet 14SFX. Mine is the original version with a rectangular base. The new version has a pyramidal base and other minor changes, but I don't think these will matter here.


I have a mobile base that is adding some, but the table is 41" off the floor and the tension knob is another 33", so total height is 74". As you can see the saw bolts to a base, which is not necessary for the saw to function. The base is 15", so leaving it off would make the table 26" and the knob 59" off the floor.

 

[Mike Zip Hamilton]

Sheldon, not being challenged myself, l'm guessing. Modified band saws have been suggested. Why not a chain saw? For safety reasons, a gas model may be too risky; however there are quality electric models that could serve your needs. You would need a means to hold your log while shaping. You won't produce blanks that are nearly round, but they can be turned with just a little bit more time. The key will be supporting/holding your log for a safe cut.