Ever since I got a nice 16" minimax bandsaw about 17 years ago, my 14" Reliant has sat in the corner of my shop, waiting like the Phoenix for a rebirth. Last week decided to turn it into a metal cutting bandsaw. The piece of crap cast aluminum upper blade guide broke long ago but shockingly I was able to find a perfect replacement on Amazon for $50. Unfortunately, the piece of crap cast aluminum post mount that the blade guide fits into broke when I tried to attach the new guide - C clamp to the rescue. Guess I need to be a little less aggressive with tightening screws in cast aluminum. Anyway, as I was cleaning and tuning it I discovered (?rediscovered) that there is a very nice 4 speed pulley system on the motor allowing a blade speed of about 650 FPM. Interestingly, the manual clearly shows only 1 pulley and makes no mention of how to change speeds. I tossed on a 24 TPI Machinist metal blade and it cuts 1/8" steel just fine. One more tool saved from the junk heap...for now. Does anyone have any additional recommendations/warnings for using this system to occasionally cut mild steel and aluminum? Thanks.
Reliant bandsaw.jpgReliant guides.jpg