Toolkraft / Tradesmen 14" bandsaw

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  • scoly
    Established Member
    • Jun 2003
    • 395
    • Lubbock, Texas, USA.

    Toolkraft / Tradesmen 14" bandsaw

    Anyone know anything about this model. Saw one at an estate sale and had to make a decision so I bought it for $100.00. Did get to check it and it does run smooth with very little vibration. It had a 1/4 inch blade and cut fine. Figured at that price couldn't go to wrong but what do I know. Don't know whether to gloat or hide my head. Any opinions?
    Steve
    It\'s the combined experience of the members on this board that make it such a great place.
  • JR
    The Full Monte
    • Feb 2004
    • 5633
    • Eugene, OR
    • BT3000

    #2
    Sounds like a deal to me! A good BS book might be in order - Dugginske's gets good reviews. It'll help you tune the thing up and assess what you've got.

    They're pretty simple tools, so if it's got a cast frame and table it'll probably do the deed. Look for signs of balancing on the wheels (weights or material removed), which is good. If the frame allows for a riser kit that's good, too. It appears many riser kits are interchangeable between manufacturers.

    Good Luck,
    JR
    JR

    Comment

    • scoly
      Established Member
      • Jun 2003
      • 395
      • Lubbock, Texas, USA.

      #3
      Well, I guess a miny gloat will do. Actually I'm really pretty happy with it. Does have a cast table and frame. What I will call the throat, where the saw blade comes up to the top wheel, is bolted to the bottom part and I would guess this is where a riser would go. Will have to do some checking and will definitely get a copy of Dugginske's book.
      Thanks for the info.
      Steve
      It\'s the combined experience of the members on this board that make it such a great place.

      Comment

      • BrazosJake
        Veteran Member
        • Nov 2003
        • 1148
        • Benbrook, TX.
        • Emerson-built Craftsman

        #4
        Scoly,

        Duginske's book is $10.49 @ overstock.com, but it looks a little dated to me and is kind of a tough read, he takes a full chapter on tracking and making the wheels coplaner, which I think could have been done in about two pages. Still some good info, especially how to make your own micropositioner.

        You might want to check the Lonnie Bird book. Definitely get the Iturra designs catalog, lotsa good info in there about older bandsaws. Search the BA forum for my post to get the phone#.

        Congrats on your find!

        Comment

        • scoly
          Established Member
          • Jun 2003
          • 395
          • Lubbock, Texas, USA.

          #5
          Thanks! Will order the catalogue ASAP and check the library for Bird's book. Will be playing this weekend and would love suggestions on what I need to be watching for on the BS. Never been around one so I am just winging it while I do some research.
          Thanks Again
          Steve
          It\'s the combined experience of the members on this board that make it such a great place.

          Comment

          • eclark
            Handtools only
            • Apr 2012
            • 2

            #6
            I have a Tradesmen 14" bandsaw that i got while in Maryland a while ago. It needs a new belt drive belt. Does anyone know where I might be able to get one? Thanks.

            Comment

            • vaking
              Veteran Member
              • Apr 2005
              • 1428
              • Montclair, NJ, USA.
              • Ryobi BT3100-1

              #7
              Internet seems to say that Tradesmen band saws are also known under name Wilton. For instance - here is a link to Wilton Tradesmen 14" band saw:

              If this is what you got - Wilton is part or WMH group, same as Jet and Powermatic. Jet 14" band saw is well known and pretty standard, risers and blades are interchangeable with many bandsaws. Finding parts should be easy.
              Alex V

              Comment

              • Knottscott
                Veteran Member
                • Dec 2004
                • 3815
                • Rochester, NY.
                • 2008 Shop Fox W1677

                #8
                Pics anyone?
                Happiness is sort of like wetting your pants....everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth.

                Comment

                • Skaning
                  Forum Newbie
                  • Nov 2010
                  • 63

                  #9
                  FWIW I remember Lowes was selling some stationary power tools under the Tradesman name a few years back. I wasn't in the market for anything at the time so I just noted it and passed on.

                  Comment

                  • cabinetman
                    Gone but not Forgotten RIP
                    • Jun 2006
                    • 15218
                    • So. Florida
                    • Delta

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Knottscott
                    Pics anyone?
                    I ran across this one:
                    .
                    Click image for larger version

Name:	5L15G55J63K83Lf3Jac3je202a2dec52611ab.jpg
Views:	1
Size:	7.4 KB
ID:	786020

                    .

                    Comment

                    • pelligrini
                      Veteran Member
                      • Apr 2007
                      • 4217
                      • Fort Worth, TX
                      • Craftsman 21829

                      #11
                      Originally posted by eclark
                      I have a Tradesmen 14" bandsaw that i got while in Maryland a while ago. It needs a new belt drive belt. Does anyone know where I might be able to get one? Thanks.
                      You might get an adjustable link belt for it.
                      Erik

                      Comment

                      • toolguy1000
                        Veteran Member
                        • Mar 2009
                        • 1142
                        • westchester cnty, ny

                        #12
                        +1 on pics from the OP. no pics, didn't happen.
                        there's a solution to every problem.......you just have to be willing to find it.

                        Comment

                        • pelligrini
                          Veteran Member
                          • Apr 2007
                          • 4217
                          • Fort Worth, TX
                          • Craftsman 21829

                          #13
                          Doubt that will happen anytime soon, the OP hasn't logged in since 06-11-2008.
                          Erik

                          Comment

                          • eclark
                            Handtools only
                            • Apr 2012
                            • 2

                            #14
                            Thanks Alex, I'll check with them.

                            Comment

                            • LCHIEN
                              Internet Fact Checker
                              • Dec 2002
                              • 20914
                              • Katy, TX, USA.
                              • BT3000 vintage 1999

                              #15
                              Originally posted by eclark
                              I have a Tradesmen 14" bandsaw that i got while in Maryland a while ago. It needs a new belt drive belt. Does anyone know where I might be able to get one? Thanks.
                              pretty much they'll use a standard 1/2" drive belt you can get at almost any auto parts store. you can figure the length in inches as
                              L = (2 x D) + (Pi x D1) + (pi x D2)
                              where pi is 3.14
                              D is the distance between pulley centers
                              D1 is the diameter of one pulley and D2 is the diameter of the other.

                              But an adjustable link belt might be a better upgrade. RUns smoother and won't take a set.
                              Last edited by LCHIEN; 04-17-2012, 10:15 PM.
                              Loring in Katy, TX USA
                              If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
                              BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

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