I picked up a used and abused Rockwell 14” bandsaw a couple of months ago and have been slowly working on restoring and making it useful again. It was in a body shop and used HARD. It was covered with splashed body filler and paint, the bottom wheel was missing the tire, and the blade was tensioned, the guides and bearings were shot and the main shaft was history. The bearing on the main shaft had gone bad many moons ago and gouged the shaft to the point of no return. I slowly began to accumulate the necessary parts, not an easy task as most of the parts are not available from Delta any longer. I used ebay and the guys at owwm.com and found everything that was needed. I completely stripped the machine down to the last nut and bolt. Used electrolysis to rid the parts of rust and loosen the body filler and paint. Hours were spent with a wire brush on a 4” grinder. After cleaning I repainted it with rustoleum #7748 smoke grey and had the stand media blasted and powder coated. The saw had the original 1/2hp motor which I swaped out for a Rockwell 1hp dual voltage motor, am running on 115v for now. The guides were replaced with Carter micro adjust, urethane tires and a Timberwolf 1/2” 3tpi blade. It was a lot of work and a few headaches, ordered the wrong bearings and had to wait for the correct ones, I now have a saw that will last another 40 or so years. It was built in 1968.
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
12 comments so far
patron
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12166 posts in 1538 days
#1 posted 1434 days ago
nice restoration !
get the after mkt. swing arm ,
it keeps the blade from getting
” hot ” spots , when it is sitting under tension .
thereby eliminating thumping
when you do use it !
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
MedicKen
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1561 posts in 1659 days
#2 posted 1434 days ago
I dont care for the look of the arm. I take 8 full turns off the band when I am done
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
Don K.
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1075 posts in 1523 days
#3 posted 1434 days ago
WOW Ken…VERY nice job on the re-do…looks better than new !!! I have a slightly older Rockwell that gets used daily….it is a true work horse in my shop. I just bought a new 17” Grizzly for resawing…but I will always keep the old Rockwell to do smaller things…(Well atleast untill my son starts up his own shop when he gets out of the military)
Nothing like “Old” iron !!! Again, GREAT job on saving and redoing the saw.
-- Don S.E. OK
oldwoodman
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137 posts in 1594 days
#4 posted 1434 days ago
Let me also say, “Great job!!!!!!!!!!!” I admire your patience and perseverance. I hope you get a lot of work done with your restored bandsaw.
a1Jim
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89038 posts in 1774 days
#5 posted 1434 days ago
A+++ restoration great job well done super
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Scott Bryan
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27253 posts in 2018 days
#6 posted 1434 days ago
Ken, that is a wonderful restoration job that you have done. I really enjoy seeing older tools given a new lease on life like you have done here. With the effort that you have put into this restoration the saw should serve you well for many years to come.
-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine
Splinterman
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23056 posts in 1558 days
#7 posted 1434 days ago
As Scott said and more…......excellent job.
PurpLev
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7814 posts in 1845 days
#8 posted 1434 days ago
I’m not a big fan of the cast-iron type Bandsaws. but I LOVE a good restoration job. nicely done! thats a really cool trunnion.
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Neodogg
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94 posts in 1624 days
#9 posted 1434 days ago
nice job! How long did that take you to complete?
-- If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem!
MedicKen
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1561 posts in 1659 days
#10 posted 1434 days ago
Neodogg….....I think it was about 2 months. I worked on it in my spare time and had to acquire some replacement parts. I think it was worth the wait. It cuts like a dream now. After I use it for a while I will post a review on the Carter guides. They are a complete replacement and bolted up perfectly.
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com
SCOTSMAN
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4334 posts in 1782 days
#11 posted 1434 days ago
Nice one well done and I wish you years of good fun and much production with it regards Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease
SCOTSMAN
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4334 posts in 1782 days
#12 posted 1427 days ago
Yes sometimes old stuff comes up better than new , in competent hands such as your own very well done .This little saw will give many more years of tireless use . I wish you well and am also looking forward to seeing the table saw too.regards Alistair
-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease
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