Rockwell Bandsaw

Although they were bought out many years ago by Delta Machinery and the line discontinued, Rockwell bandsaws are still available for sale from private owners. The quality and durability of Rockwell bandsaws is the reason so many of them are still available for your use. When you run across one of these for sale, do not just dismiss it as being an old novelty item. It is still possible to get parts for them as they were manufactured by Delta in their last years of production and some of their parts will fit your Rockwell bandsaw.

Because they are discontinued models, you may be able to purchase several for the price you would pay for a new bandsaw, making parts supply even easier. Instruction manuals are available from enthusiasts at woodworking and metalworking forums on the internet. So is advice on how to repair or restore your Rockwell bandsaw. The versatility and reliability of Rockwell bandsaws keeps them popular amongst those who have one. In cruising the forums, I have noticed several times where someone regrets getting rid of their Rockwell bandsaw in favor of a newer bandsaw of what turned out to be an inferior make.

One consideration to keep in mind when deciding whether to purchase a Rockwell bandsaw is how to locate the blades for it. If you have a bandsaw blade welding kit, this is not a consideration at all, but for those hobbyists who are new to woodworking, Keep in mind that you will have to measure for the size you need and may have to special order them. Most metal fabrication shops in your local area should be able to make bandsaw blades of the length you desire at a reasonable cost.

Operating your Rockwell bandsaw is a reasonably safe task if you keep a few considerations in mind during and before the operation. If your Rockwell Bandsaw is a variable speed bandsaw, then insure that your speed setting is the proper one for the material you are cutting. Cutting at too fast or slow of a speed can cause the blade to break or the material to be chewed up beyond saving.

Always wear protective eyewear when operating power machinery. While most of the material removed during cutting operations with your Rockwell bandsaw will be deposited around the lower and upper wheels inside the protective covers, some will fly off the material you are cutting as the material is pushed into the blade. Protective eyewear will prevent possible injuries from happening.

Last and very important is to never bring your hands anywhere near the moving bandsaw blade. The speed at which the band moves cuts material quickly and soft material like fingers tend to get cut very deeply within a split second. If you must make a smaller cut with your Rockwell bandsaw, use a push stick to move the material and push close to the fence for safety.

By following these simple safety tips, you will enjoy the use of your Rockwell bandsaw for many years without trips to the hospital for stitches or even attempts at reattachment.