Bandsaw Help!!!!!!

I posted a while back about this band saw and no one replied so now i going to expand my questions a little. I am thinking of purchasing this bandsaw but I haven't heard of it and can't find anything on the brand It's a 20" Drake Vertical Wood Band Saw. I can't find anything on Drake but I've decided to go and take a look at the saw. The guy said I could test it so here is my first question...what test and what should I check to see if this is going to be worth the money? I of course will check the table and make sure the blade tracks straight and smooth and check all the parts. When I do my test cuts I was going to take some maple and resaw it other than that is there a test or a few things that I need to check to determine if this saw is ok? There is no fence on the saw so I plan on clamping a straight piece of wood to the table. If I do buy this saw can I transport it on it's back and any suggestions for transporting it. Thanks in advance

Heres the link to the original post With pics Ever seen a Drake bandsaw if so help!

James, while I'm not familiar with the Drake brand you mentioned and can't help you there, when we bought our band saw (big Laguna) we anchored it with straps in the bed of the pickup on it's back (pick-up has a camper shell, so no worries about weather) and it rode just fine and totally anchored all the way from CO to TX. It's worked like a charm ever since, no problems at all. Good luck, hope you get more responses with more information than I was able to give to you. Jude

Buying used equipment...Is sort of like buying a used car. Buyer beware. Take a good look at the saw. What condition is it in to your eye? Is it clea or beat up & dirty. Look at other tools or equipment and how to they appear to be cared for?Ask why the owner is parting with it. If he say he never uses it, ask why. Maybe he never uses it because it is a pain to use. Are all the parts there? Fence, cross cut guide, guards etc. Look at the tires and blade guides, do they look like they will need replaced? Check all the adjustments table tilt etc to insure they work. Most important RUN THE SAW. Does it make noises you wouldn't expect? Does it vibrate excessively. Does the owner know who services them or where you can get parts? What size (Length) blade does it use. The blades he has may or may not be sharp or good quality. Look under the table and inside the guards, is there sawdust only or signs of metal shavings?

Have two pockets with your money in them. Offer less than advertised if you noted any problems or concerns Don't let them see all your cash at once if you plan to negotiate price at all. Remember there will be no warranty.

Thanks for the advice I will be sure to check for metal shavings. He has it priced to sell at 350 so I am already suspicious! depending on the condition I might try to negotiate. At that price even if the motor goes bad or needs repair it could still be a good deal?

I checked the web and Drake Bandsaws seem to be popular for big milling shops. Then I got this picture too - how to make a drake decoy on a bandsaw.



Those search engines take you so literally. First time I had internet access, I did a search for Porn Filters. I got ads for Fram Oil Filters, heater filters, coffee filters, and a whole bunch of surprising stuff that I was trying to avoid in the first place!:eek:

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Originally Posted by James Williams 007

Thanks for the advice I will be sure to check for metal shavings. He has it priced to sell at 350 so I am already suspicious! depending on the condition I might try to negotiate. At that price even if the motor goes bad or needs repair it could still be a good deal?

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After looking at your saw, it appears to be a metal cutting bandsaw not one designed for wood. I found it listed at several metal shop sites. The main difference is blade speed. A metal cutting saw will have a much slower blade speed and will cut significantly slower than a wood bandsaw. I don't know how it will work for smaller blades and curved work.

DAKE not Drake is an industrial line of equipment.

The guy sold it oh well! It wasnt to be. I really like the Rikon 18" I was set on the Steel City 18 but after seeing them next to each other the Rikon looks a little better built not as much plastic! The wife is going to kill me if I spend that much so I might go for a 14 instead I just hate buying something I know I'll outgrow. I dream of the MM16! Thanks guys.