Bandsaw cut station layout- Looking for ideas

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Haven't been around for a while.... Been working on the shopI finally built some "A" frame stock racks! Its so nice to finally have the long stock off the floor!!!I would like to incorporate my band saw as a cutting station into the storage system for ease of handling and cutting.What have you guys done or seen that you like and that works well? What saw orientation relative to in-feed table do you prefer?My frames are about 4 1/2 feet tall and I have access to both sides. I have a short section of roller for the in-feed. I may be getting a new band saw as my old Carolina is on its last legs. Any recommendations?If you have pictures to share, that would be excellent!Thanks!
Reply:This is a 9 x 12 Wells saw, 20' of in feed conveyor, nested into an Interlake cantilevered, 40,000# capacity, storage rack system. The spacing between the beams is varied, to allowstorage of 4' lengths and up---to 21'.The white safety pins are slip pins, removed to access stock.A 10' take off conveyor is seen in back of the 20'. It's not currently used, since I have a rolling,steel platform table that receives the cuts.     The cut stop bar for the horizontal saw was not in place for this installation picture---but an 11' one is used.This nesting of the conveyor allows forklift or manual load/unload of racked steel easily;and opened up a bunch more floor space.A Lenox Micronizer blade lube system is used on this saw, for clean cuts, clean chips, clean floorand no continuous mess of flood coolant all over everything.....been there, dun that.(At the far left of the pic, is the frame of a 32" throat, Silver vertical bandsaw.Misc. blocking and tools are under the 20 conveyer section.The air line is now coiled on a hook, attached to the conveyor.)http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1258512503 Attached ImagesBlackbird
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonA Lenox Micronizer blade lube system is used on this saw, for clean cuts, clean chips, clean floorand no continuous mess of flood coolant all over everything.....been there, dun that.http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1258512503
Reply:Thank you! Repairing/refurbishing the conveyors and rack--purchased from a used dealer, tooksome doing, but I'm glad I did for the room I gained and ease of use.http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Produ...IZER__Jr_.htmlAbove is link to Lenox, who sells thru distributors.I installed a Lenox Micronizer lube system, in 1991, for no-mess, high efficiency cutting lube using Jojoba based oil @ $85/gallon.......One gallon lasts me 10 years.2 high production shops were using this and recco'd. it to me.This isn't a harbor fright gimmick, it's an industrial item by US company. Costs around $240--but you'dneed to check on current pricing. Provides sufficient lube, cooling and cleaningfor cuts up to 4" solid round. I never experience burned blades.Cobalt based, premium blades are used, with a vari-tooth design. One premium blade lasts at least 1 year, instead of 1 hour for cheap blades.60# air pressure thru an .125 ID tube, pulls the lube thru the tube to the magnetic splitter,which applies tiny, micro droplets of lube; along with air to each side of the blade--behindthe cut.     This lube helps dissipate heat over the entire blade. This is not a mist type setup.Coolant flow and air pressure is regulated thru the Lenox unit. Normally, I've gotit set for one tiny drop (there's a sight bowl on the unit top), every 7 seconds.    There's a slight amount of biodegradable lube on the cut ends, the chips andswarf are dry--so no disposal problem, as with oil based, and especially H2Osoluable.       The initial cost of the unit pays back easily, versus the ongoing cost/time/hassleof cleaning cut lengths, cleaning the floor, cleaning the flood sump, etc.This is too cost effective of a unit, which is why most 'professional' shopsdo not use it and so many other tools/machines that can impact their bottom line....(....and we wonder 'why' in the U.S.--that we cannot compete with others?http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1258518666The blue overlay lines in the second pic, just outline the path of the 2 small ID copper tubesthat lube each side of the blade.http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1258518711 Attached ImagesLast edited by dave powelson; 11-18-2009 at 12:10 AM.Reason: additionBlackbird
Reply:Very interesting. Thank you for explaining the system. So, If I'm seeing this right, your cooling and lubing the blade after it has cut, not before or during. I have to say, That is a very clean AND dry looking saw!!
Reply:Originally Posted by fewoodVery interesting. Thank you for explaining the system. So, If I'm seeing this right, your cooling and lubing the blade after it has cut, not before or during. I have to say, That is a very clean AND dry looking saw!!
Reply:Thanks Dave-I looked at the MicroNizer by Lennox. At first glance, they fetch about $350.00 on the internet. Do we have a local Lonnox Dist. around you or in Sacramento? Given that the system is semi portable, I can use it on other machines... When it comes to quality, one usually gets what one pays for; Low price will be  paid for with frustration, High price will be paid for with satisfaction. Money is not always the cost!I hope others have cut stations they would like to share, big or small, old or new, I'm still interested in seeing them and getting guidance from your good ideas!
Reply:Originally Posted by fewoodThanks Dave-I looked at the MicroNizer by Lennox. At first glance, they fetch about $350.00 on the internet. Do we have a local Lonnox Dist. around you or in Sacramento? Given that the system is semi portable, I can use it on other machines... When it comes to quality, one usually gets what one pays for; Low price will be  paid for with frustration, High price will be paid for with satisfaction. Money is not always the cost!I hope others have cut stations they would like to share, big or small, old or new, I'm still interested in seeing them and getting guidance from your good ideas!
Reply:For a dedicated layout station, you are talking about valuable real estate. I will ASSume you have at least 1500sq ft building. If that is the minimum case, the above setup is very nice. The one downside to the above it if you have heavy stock. That, and loading and unloading the stock rack can be a pain without a forklift.Sounds like you have stock racks unlike what is above, so I think you are already limiting your layout options.IF you are limited with space, your saw needs to be portable so you can move it into position and then out of the way.If you have unlimited space, you need to come up with something based on your stock you plan to cut. Pretty straight forward.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything
Reply:Jackalope-I have about 2500 Sq ft. A dedicated system was a must because I got tired of the long stock laying on the floor. I'm looking for ways to mount the saw and effectivly use the space I have dedicated. A friend of mine has his system set up like Dave Powelson's but his saw is on the left so you have to walk around the saw to set up for cutting after you have stocked the cut table. Some areas I'm interested in: What do people do with out feed tables, Scrap storage, how a fixed blade saw can be effectivly used for angle cuts (as apposed to a swivel head) and if anyone has mounted a "chop" saw into the set up. Looking for inovation and good ideas....Also, I'm hoping to get an old Marvel saw. Anybody know much about them?Thanks for the replies-Last edited by fewood; 11-18-2009 at 11:29 PM.Reason: Added info
Reply:Don't know a lot about the Marvel Saw, but I use one from time to time in my machining classes.  It works great.  The picture below appears to be the same model that we have in class. Attached ImagesMiller Millermatic 212... and that's about it... for now...
Reply:Nice saw!! Way more than my solo shop can afford....
Reply:Something to consider is to put a chopsaw to the right of the bandsaw. It could be incorporated into the outfeed side table. My chopsaw got the base removed and I then mounted it right into my large 12ft table. The stock just lies on the table and is perfectly level all the time. Works great. Obviously had to cut a slit in the table so the blade could go through the stock and then through the bottom, but the chopsaw itself made the cutYou might also put it before the bandsaw. Whatever works easiest really.Granthttp://jackalopefab.com/MM210Synchrowave 200DXMiller XMT350 w/60series feederMiller Bobcat 250 with SGA 100 and spoolgunHTP PlasmaFull Machine shop with everything