Band Saw Problem - Help!

[Terry Vance]

I have an old Sears table top 3 wheel band saw(photo 1), which was originally made by Black & Decker. I used it for all my small stuff. It started making a wierd noise the other day and I noticed that the lower blade guide and bearing bracket was broken(photo 2).

The $5.99 part on Sears' website shows as in stock, however, is no longer available or in stock. I am hoping that someone here on the site might know of someone with this machine that is scrapping it out and can put me on the trail of a replacement part.

I have visited E-Bay with no luck and I am not aware of another place where I might look.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year & Keep carvin'

[Hugh-P]

Terry , you might try liquid metal weld, then put plate on the back of it, Make a plate and drill holes and use small stove bolts to hold it together. Just a thought, but it might keep you going until you can find a replacement part.

[JIM QUILICI]

Also you might try a wielding shop ....they can wield almost anything
Jim

[Al_Hillis]

I too would take it to a welder , almost any machine shop should be able to fix it

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Actually, I would advise having it brazed...its strong and will hold that for years to come ! In addition, brazing will not require the heat welding does that could distort the casting.....imho

[Terry Vance]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this matter.

I have both capabilities here at home, just thought I'd put it out there and see what happened. Today I made a very temporary lower guide from 3/4" plywood and at the moment that is working well. I just need to practice with the welder and when I get confident go for it.

Thanks again & Keep carvin'

[Goody]

If its cast aluminum you will need to tig weld it and you will need a high frequency converter. If its an iron casting brazing it as Hi Ho Said would be the way to go. Welding cast is tricky without special rod and a way to heat the metal before welding and then cooling it in an oven slowly. It may look good but there will be a lot of crystalization and inclusion in the weld as well as the metal will become very brittle near the weld.
Goody

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Hadn't thought about it being aluminum but that is entirely possible! I have some rod in the shop that is very low heat and is for welding/brazing aluminum...if it comes to that let me know and I will try to find the name of the stuff....

[Kenny_S]

That is ok Terry, I am a Gorilla Welder, Big and ugly. Well the weldings also.LOL

[Hugh-P]

I still say try the Liquid Steel, that stuff will hold. I've used it with very good results. With a plate bolted to the back of it, it would be OK, until he could find a new part. It would take a professional to weld white metal, with the chance it would be distorted, and then he would have nothing to use.