Photo Index - Northfield Foundry & Machine Co. - 27" Bandsaw

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Northfield Foundry & Machine Co.
Northfield, MN

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Band Saw
Machine Size:	27"
Submitted By:	Jason Wood

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	27" Bandsaw
Date of Manufacturer:	May 2008
Serial Number:	A080509-G
Last Updated	12/15/2008 8:51:01 AM

Comments:

I understand that this is a website for old woodworking machines, and the bandsaw I am submitting is considered new. But since Northfield pretty much makes them the same way they made past bandsaws that are considered old on this website, it should qualify. If anyone has any objections contact me. If your argument makes sense, I will consider withdrawing this submission.

I had this machine built because I had problems with my 24" Eurosaw. The table vibrated significantly. It was the first piece of equipment I had purchased as a woodworker, and after unsuccessfully trying to fix the problem over the phone with the company techical support, I just put up with it. But after awhile I decided to make an upgrade.

I began a search for old cast iron bandsaws locally and over the internet. Unfortunately the old cast iron saws I found locally had similar or worse vibration problems. I'm sure they could be fixed but I didn't have a clue on how to properly restore them. And since I live only an hour away from Northfield I decided to take a look at a new machine from them.

After talking with Jeff Mahacheck and trying out a couple of their bandsaws, I decided on a 27" machine with a 5 HP motor at 720 RPM. The acessories I purchased were a rip fence, cross cut fence, hand resaw attatchment, rack and pinion guide post, limit switch on the foot brake, second 4" dust port, work light and had rails mounted to the table so extension tables could be attatched. The switch on the work light looked pretty flimsy so I had a light made without a switch and a special push button station made that has a 2 position on / off switch for the light.

It turns out that the best decision I made about this machine was to have a motor made at a slower RPM. The usual speed that most of the motors on these bandsaws run at is 900 RPM. Jeff sugested that I get a motor with a RPM of 720 due to the fact that I will be resawing with it. I tested a 27" bandsaw with a motor at 900 RPM and could feel some vibration in the table, but with my motor at 720 RPM there was virtually no vibration. I put a Lennox Trimaster carbide blade on it and it cuts beautifully.

It was a pleasure working with Jeff and everyone at Northfield. They answered alot of questions and went out of their way to make sure I got the bandsaw I wanted. It is obvious after working with all the craftsmen at Northfield that they enjoy making these machines and take pride in what they do.

Below are some pictures of the bandsaw at different stages of the building process. I will post some pictures of the finished saw later. The "Description/Model:" wil say "27" Bandsaw finished".

Photo 1:

Comments: Here is the saw just after Loren, standing in the background, has poured the babbit in the guidepost receptacle.
Source: Jason Wood

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Photo 2:

Comments: Now Loren is getting ready to mount the rack and pinion assembly.
Source: Jason Wood

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Photo 3:

Comments: Now the gaurds, guides, guidepost, and push button station are on.
Source: Jason Wood

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Photo 4:

Comments: Along with the eletrical box, tensioning spring, and table tilting assembly.
Source: Jason Wood

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Photo 5:

Comments: Now the work light, rip fences, and cross cut fences are attached and fit. Also the attachment rails for the extension tables are mounted.
Source: Jason Wood

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Photo 6:

Comments: Me next to a bandsaw that is ready for paint.
Source: John Reid

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