Band Saw $500 Listed FBM 6 hours ago in Mt Pleasant, NC

[Howie]

 

[bob vaughan]

That's a good deal for a starter kit of a Powermatic 81 band saw. It does have the fence. That's rare.
It weighs a lot. In the 800 lbs range. Not a flimsy toy.

 

[bob vaughan]

Looking at the back access panel, that saw may be a metal cutting model 87. (I'm not on facebook) If so, it will be in the 1000 lb weight range.

 

[Henry W]

Looking at the back access panel, that saw may be a metal cutting model 87. (I'm not on facebook) If so, it will be in the 1000 lb weight range.

and the biggest difference is the blade speed - right? Can both tension to what is needed for woodcutting? Could both handle wider blades?

 

[bob vaughan]

The factory recommends 3/4" wide blades. I tried a 1" wide blade on my 81 and didn't like it.
After 50 years of different owners and use conditions, its impossible to say whether or not that specimen is suitable for anything.
Here are some factory catalog cuts.
You'll have to adjust the prices for inflation.

 

[Bill E]

If it is wired single phase 220 , this would be a Great buy. Specially if it has a Baladon motor. The motor is worth $300 + along
Bill E

 

[bob vaughan]

I suspect it it a wood cutting Model 81 because I don't think the versions of the metal cutting model 87 had the dust chutes under the lower guide.

 

[Howie]

If it is wired single phase 220 , this would be a Great buy. Specially if it has a Baladon motor. The motor is worth $300 + along
Bill E

If not VFD it.

 

[Bill E]

You are probably right.I own powdermatic 66 table saw and jointer 6” and 16” planer . They have preform well for 30 years This would be a great addition for re-sawing larger ,thicker lumber with a 3/4 to 1” blade at a slow speed but I am to old . My opinion: older American made machinery is better than import junk,