Lidl Portable Bandsaw

Any suggestions?

I succumbed to buying the Aldi band saw after having returned the Lidl band saw.

I just inserted the blade into the band saw and tightened it up fully. Put the covers back on, didn't put on the stand, plugged in and pressed that on/off button.

The motor runs, but the blade doesn't go round. Took it apart, put it back together again, changed the speed to low and high and still nothing.

Took it apart again, took blade off and tried running it carefully without the blade and without the 2 plastic covers on, still the motor starts up, but nothing turns.

Not really sure how it is meant to work, but did see mention in the instructions of a v-belt, so maybe it could be that.

Any thoughts on my problem are most welcome.

Keith

but did see mention in the instructions of a v-belt

Best place to to start checking.

It's a question of how far to disassemble it rather than returning it and going back to the angle grinder.

I have had a search of my copy of the instructionsand the only reference to a vee- belt is where they list items that wear out. The exploded view does not help either as there is no list of parts to the numbered items. I cannot see anything that looks like a vee-belt, which must be positioned at one of the ends of the motor I would think.

You are clearly unlucky with your purchase of band saws, but it looks like this one has to be returned too.

Keith

Couldn't resist the improved Aldi offer and have now joined our merry band of chopper uppers

A chap here has a simple system for helping the blade cut properly

I will probbly try using a bungee cord

Some interesting points Ady and worth trying I think.

I guess he's a bachelor too. I showed my wife this video and she has revised her view of my 'inside' workshop - It seems I'm much tidier than she had always imagined!

Regards,

IanT

Tell her you'll only run the bandsaw when the adverts are on and she'll be fine

Good spot Ady, thanks! The cardboard box is a great idea if you are using the saw in the living room! Seriously though he seems to have got that one working very well, I'll go have a play with mine later...

I had no idea that this topic would have had so much interest. Picked up quite a few useful tips. Like the video of the guy working in his living room. No going out in the cold shed . SWMBO would never allow but we can only dream.

Got mine and cut a useful 1 inch cube out of an old ratty end of rebar

Runs a lot quieter than I expected and cuts fine with the supplied m42 blade

set mine at 3.5

Ladies & Gentlemen

On a previous visit to this thread, somebody mentioned reversing the jaws of the clamp - so that the jaws were nearer the cutting blade.

I've re-read the whole thread (twice) and cannot find that posting.

This is probably because I'm old and senile - but can anybody point me at that posting, please?

With seasonal greetings and my very best wishes to you and your families for a Happy, Healthy, Peaceful, Successful, Prosperous and Stress-free New Year.

ours very sincerely

MC

I saw that mentioned in the YouTube link, where guy seemed to have his workshop in his living room.

Keith

As Keith says, I think he said he had flipped it over it on the video. I don't really see the point on that side as the forces are moving away from that jaw, and peering at mine this afternoon if I did reverse it it would hit the edge of the body as it moved down. I was pondering if it might be possible to add an extra bit to the moving jaw, either weld a piece of 3mm plate on the blade end or bolt a complete extra longer plate across but it seems to work fine as it is.

Probably Clive's comments about there being too much overhang between the vice and the blade MC.

You cannot "just" reverse the vice - it won't fit. I extended my clamping 'plates' over to the blade side (see first page) such that there was very little gap between them and the cutting blade - and the support is much improved. However, the blade doesn't pull the work into the fixed jaw but away from it - so it runs the wrong way to my mind. However, you cannot (simply) turn the vice around. Maybe that's what you were thinking of.

Regards,

IanT

Edited By IanT on 10/12/2020 19:35:43

It's the sort of tool where a little kit of bits, especially around the vice zone, can expand its already useful purpose

I also found it curious that the cutting forces are loading the movable jaw and not the front fixed one. Do all metal bandsaws run this way.? When purchasing alternative blades,the direction of the teeth is not specified, so I assume they all do.

Keith

One could certainly fit the band ‘the wrong way’ on any band saw.🙂 So either direction of cutting can be accommodated.

Well on my INCA (wood) bandsaw I initially thought the replacement blades I'd purchased were "wrong-hand" Keith - however the light finally dawned and gripping the blade in both hands - I turned it inside out - and now the teeth point in the right (or is it left?) direction   

Regards,

IanT

PS So it's the direction the motor turns in that's important...

Edited By IanT on 10/12/2020 21:25:46

This brand of tool (Milwaukee clone) was originally designed for freehand use. The addition of the stand and vice was clearly an add on afterthought to extend the utility of the device- compromised by poor saw geometry and poorly designed mount location.

If you get a 'proper' fixed mount bandsaw, the vice will usually be set up with respect to the saw so the teeth move in the direction of the fixed jaw, for obvious reasons (see the usual 6x4s 3x5s offerings from China).

See also the bandsaws by FEMI where they have designed the complete saw and mounting arrangement to properly suit the saw geometry, so the vice is on the backside of the saw with the fixed jaw in the correct orientation with respect to blade direction and the swivel mount on the right.

But then hey! a Femi is 3 times the price of the Aldi offering, and for that, I expect all but the most seriously minted can put up with some minor inconvenience while finding some other way to dispose of the £300 saving..

Alternatively, just go back to hand sawing, if you prefer