tmeinc
Plastic
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2009
- Location
- Connecticut USA
Hi Folks
I have a Powermatic/Houdaille bandsaw blade welder that is probably 20 years old but has had very little use. I am using it to weld 1/2" x .025" blades for my 4" x 6" bandsaw. The blades are carbon and bimetal, and the tpi varies from 10-18. My problem is very inconsistent welding results. I cut the blades with aviation snips, square them with the built in grinder and wipe the ends with alcohol to remove any oil or contaminants. I always grind the ends figuring this gives a flatter contact surface. Near as I can tell, the clamps are lined up very well and the blade ends are in contact with a maximum gap of maybe .003" or less. I also set the "gap" in the unit to the value specified in the owner's manual so the current cuts out at the right point during the weld.
The detents for the clamping lever on the welder are not labelled, but I have found that the mid point works best for the blades I am welding,and that works out because the welder has a capacity of up to 1" blades.
After welding, I anneal from red heat and then put the blade on a fixture I made to file the weld down. I have better luck filing than grinding on the built in grinder. After filing, I anneal again from red heat.
As I indicated, some welds last awhile (but nowhere as long as a factory welded blade) and some fail rather quickly. I would appreciate any helpful information. Thanks in advance
I have a Powermatic/Houdaille bandsaw blade welder that is probably 20 years old but has had very little use. I am using it to weld 1/2" x .025" blades for my 4" x 6" bandsaw. The blades are carbon and bimetal, and the tpi varies from 10-18. My problem is very inconsistent welding results. I cut the blades with aviation snips, square them with the built in grinder and wipe the ends with alcohol to remove any oil or contaminants. I always grind the ends figuring this gives a flatter contact surface. Near as I can tell, the clamps are lined up very well and the blade ends are in contact with a maximum gap of maybe .003" or less. I also set the "gap" in the unit to the value specified in the owner's manual so the current cuts out at the right point during the weld.
The detents for the clamping lever on the welder are not labelled, but I have found that the mid point works best for the blades I am welding,and that works out because the welder has a capacity of up to 1" blades.
After welding, I anneal from red heat and then put the blade on a fixture I made to file the weld down. I have better luck filing than grinding on the built in grinder. After filing, I anneal again from red heat.
As I indicated, some welds last awhile (but nowhere as long as a factory welded blade) and some fail rather quickly. I would appreciate any helpful information. Thanks in advance