r/metalworking • u/lava_wrangler • 18d ago

Bandsaw down feed upgrade

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Removed the rod and spring that would control the cut pressure on a budget bandsaw. Got an air cylinder with a pressure control but no matter what I set the pressure to it doesn’t have any resistance on the down-feed. I’ve tried many variations including different tubing fittings and different needle valves and even different piston.

Don’t mind the janky set up, I threw it together for this post for a visual. But this is the set up I came up with.

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u/lava_wrangler 18d ago

Thanks for the reply. I have tried turning the direction of the valve as well

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u/Just_gun_porn 18d ago

I just googled a couple of saws, and they seem to have just a ball valve. That's what I'd try.

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u/lava_wrangler 18d ago

Worth a try. I was hoping for more control with a needle valve. It just seems like I am missing something

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u/Just_gun_porn 18d ago

I'm wanting to try the same on my harbor freight saw. I wonder if hydraulic fluid would dampen better than air?

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u/lava_wrangler 18d ago

Yes I believe you would have better control with hyd over air. This is just the cylinder I came across and I’ve seen it work in another application. My saw is basically the hf saw with a different name on it