I have exactly the same bandsaw at home! Got it from my dad and still works well. The power, rocker switch was replaced for an old fridge/freezer switch many years ago.
The "Fabric" on the blade guides is Felt that you drench in oil to keep the bearings oiled. My Granddad had one of these. You should still be able to get a new set of Blade guides and I highly recommend it as once they are correctly set up this band saw performs like a gem :) I used to use it with the finest blade I could find to cut Blank PCB's up :)
Burgess tools were a common diy brand in the 60-70s, by the time i got my hands on these the wheels were all sloppy and no way to fix it, so id never used one that the blade didnt fall off constantly
@@dreadnaught2707 Easy to make your own brackets to fit bearing guides instead and the one I did runs smooth cutting better than I expected for such a compact little machine.
When you reassemble the blade adjuster on the top you need to put the spring on the threaded adjuster and the large washer next which gives you some spring tension on the blade. I always slacken the adjuster to take the tension of the blade as you would with a hack saw. When not in use. Regards Dave.
I have the Black and Decker version but a later model with a variable speed pulley, great little machine if set-up correctly. Recovered it from my son.
So unusual to see you working on something like this. My first thought was that you were doing a video similar to AvE, only without the swearing. Not that I mind, mind. I can't wait to see this thing whir back to life when you're done with it!
I've had one of these since around 1970. Extremely difficult to get the blade tracking accurately and I've never been impressed by its performance with wood. However, even though I've got a real heavyweight cast-iron frame large bandaw nowadays, I leave the BBS 20 set up with a metal-cutting blade -- it actually does a very good job on small metal-cutting jobs.
would probably manage a bit of plywood! i too remember these, at a time when they were the only cheap bandsaw for home, advertised in all the diy magazines at the time, they were pretty bad quality of course.
I rather think that a lot of the problem lay in the poor quality of some of the blades Burgess themselves sold for this bandsaw. Never had any problems doing good work with the metal-cutting blades, but most of the wood blades left quite a lot to be desired.
i only ever seemed to come across these when the wheel centres were ovaled out (cant remember if they had a bush or ran direct to the plastic) so they could not ever keep the blade on, of course it would have been made worse be people overtightening them
Probably the result of rank amateurs with no idea of how much tension to apply -- and no tension gauge to give any indication of what might be roughly appropriate. At least worn wheel centres can be bushed.
I know it will be just for home use and I'm sure John will be careful using it. Just thinking it would be interested to show the modification of the electrics to include a emergency shut off switch.
The blade could also be loose because it has stretched out. I say this from experience working in a butchery. They tend to stretch, and then go snap with an extremely violent and loud bang.
No change of getting replacement parts now, this is 40+ years old. Only source will be another similar machine. If you have a lathe it would be possible to machine new ones.
Something like this: cpc.farnell.com/molveno/sx8211881g110000/rocker-switch-20a-red-dp-off-on/dp/SW05303 just need to make sure the panel hole is the right size.
Hah! Just typed "uk old flex colour code" into google and the top hit was the Flameport website :-) The answer was 1971, by the way. Longer ago than I thought...
I have an earlier, 1960s, model which hadn't been used for over 20 years. Your video has been very useful in getting it running again.
Hi John, I have recently bought one of these units for some light work and your videos have been a great help. Thank you
I have exactly the same bandsaw at home! Got it from my dad and still works well. The power, rocker switch was replaced for an old fridge/freezer switch many years ago.
My dad still has one of these in his shed, and he still uses it!
The "Fabric" on the blade guides is Felt that you drench in oil to keep the bearings oiled. My Granddad had one of these. You should still be able to get a new set of Blade guides and I highly recommend it as once they are correctly set up this band saw performs like a gem :) I used to use it with the finest blade I could find to cut Blank PCB's up :)
Burgess tools were a common diy brand in the 60-70s, by the time i got my hands on these the wheels were all sloppy and no way to fix it, so id never used one that the blade didnt fall off constantly
Don't drench the felts in oil. "Moistened" is what the manual says. Too much oil can cause the belt to slip or ride off the wheels.
@@dreadnaught2707 Easy to make your own brackets to fit bearing guides instead and the one I did runs smooth cutting better than I expected for such a compact little machine.
thank you .
I have been wanting to restore my machine for 1 year but I did not find the problem.
but i think it will work now.
I've just bought one of these on eBay for £25 including postage . I should think it would cost most of that to post it. This video is a great help.
Thank you for sending me a clip on how to use BAND SAW -MODEL NO-SWB-250, I just couldn't get it to work.
Thanks John. Another interesting video.
When you reassemble the blade adjuster on the top you need to put the spring on the threaded adjuster and the large washer next which gives you some spring tension on the blade. I always slacken the adjuster to take the tension of the blade as you would with a hack saw. When not in use.
Regards Dave.
I have an exact copy of this bandsaw made by Clarke. I've seen other copies too - spares are readily available.
I have the Black and Decker version but a later model with a variable speed pulley, great little machine if set-up correctly. Recovered it from my son.
We had two of these at school, back when you were permitted to use real tools in the classroom.
you have nice hands, and a fine eye for detail, thank you for the video, enjoyed
phoenix smith I agree about his eye for detail.
So unusual to see you working on something like this. My first thought was that you were doing a video similar to AvE, only without the swearing.
Not that I mind, mind. I can't wait to see this thing whir back to life when you're done with it!
He does a brilliant set of videos where he restores a vintage variac too. Very satisfying.
That was a work of art! By the time he was finished with it, you'd swear it had just come from the factory.
video similar to ave? break it, hit with hammer, have rude one liner jokes he repeats every video.....nope JW is complete opposite thank god.
I love videos like this, thanks
I've had one of these since around 1970. Extremely difficult to get the blade tracking accurately and I've never been impressed by its performance with wood. However, even though I've got a real heavyweight cast-iron frame large bandaw nowadays, I leave the BBS 20 set up with a metal-cutting blade -- it actually does a very good job on small metal-cutting jobs.
would probably manage a bit of plywood! i too remember these, at a time when they were the only cheap bandsaw for home, advertised in all the diy magazines at the time, they were pretty bad quality of course.
I rather think that a lot of the problem lay in the poor quality of some of the blades Burgess themselves sold for this bandsaw. Never had any problems doing good work with the metal-cutting blades, but most of the wood blades left quite a lot to be desired.
i only ever seemed to come across these when the wheel centres were ovaled out (cant remember if they had a bush or ran direct to the plastic) so they could not ever keep the blade on, of course it would have been made worse be people overtightening them
Probably the result of rank amateurs with no idea of how much tension to apply -- and no tension gauge to give any indication of what might be roughly appropriate. At least worn wheel centres can be bushed.
Modified the one I have with bearing guides and it cuts true and smooth, I cut aluminium up to 4mm with no problems at all, great little saw.
I know it will be just for home use and I'm sure John will be careful using it. Just thinking it would be interested to show the modification of the electrics to include a emergency shut off switch.
The blade could also be loose because it has stretched out. I say this from experience working in a butchery. They tend to stretch, and then go snap with an extremely violent and loud bang.
Could someone tell me what the maximum cut height is on this Machine..👍
THANK U. Was very interesting! Have a similar one but need to replace the wheels! Any idea where to look for?
No change of getting replacement parts now, this is 40+ years old. Only source will be another similar machine. If you have a lathe it would be possible to machine new ones.
I enjoyed this vid.
Thanks
I got excited thinking you had 3D printer filament on your shelf. Then I had a 'duh' moment that it's just electrical wire.
Gadget Addict derp
Hey John
I just picked up a mk 1 of these lacking a switch. Any suggestions for a replacement?
Something like this: cpc.farnell.com/molveno/sx8211881g110000/rocker-switch-20a-red-dp-off-on/dp/SW05303
just need to make sure the panel hole is the right size.
I wasn't expecting brown and blue wiring. When did that come in?
Hah! Just typed "uk old flex colour code" into google and the top hit was the Flameport website :-) The answer was 1971, by the way. Longer ago than I thought...
Are you going to paint it green?
I noticed that the blade runs over the belt and the wheel has no teeth, this must be the low speed set up ???
This bandsaw only has one speed.
Big Clive would paint it pink.
the abbreviation of your name is twice as long as your actual name
Jay Doublejew .. you're right
the main issues with these, wheel wobble and the blade falling off
but I like the 70's beige :(
hopefully you'll be sawing up a craptacular imported 13A socket with it soon.
me too, id just clean it, not repaint it, i love the old colour and worn in look
"rubber foot with spider included" :D
My guess is Blue
I'm having mild diarrhea from the anticipation of the color.
is that a guess as to its new colour or a comment on the existing? :P