Wejding a band saw blade

[Hooked_on_HP]

I broke the blade in my band saw tonight. It broke right where it was welded. It is a clean square brake. The blade is 104.5"long x1"x.035. I cannot find one locally so I will have to order one. The problem is that I have 4 days off and need the saw so I was wondering if I could weld it back together. I have a tig welder but am not sure what filler wire to use if any.
Bill

 

[Egon]

There are kits for welding bandsaw blade.Nj

 

[xrsrfn]

We used to weld in shop class I believe it was a bronze rod and some flux and a brazing torch. We would then grind the weld to make sure the blade did not jump on pulley,s. Just make sure you hold the ends of the blade apart a bit like 1/32 or just a red hair more and weld on a large heat sink like a thick piece of steel. clamp the blade down so that the ends are inline and flush. You do not want to heat the metal the blade is laying on to much or you will weld the blade down. Keep the band-saw blade from getting too hot or the bronze will spall off (POP) and crackle leaving a very porous weld. Heating the metal just right will be exactly like soldering copper when you have the metal just the correct temp.

 

[melanelly]

If you have a machine shop close buy most industrial upright bandsaws have a fusion welder onboard.:thumbsup: Mig welder no filler will be a good second choice. Clamp it in place to insrue it is good and square. Be sure to aneal it after the weld (before griinding it flat). Good luck.

 

[F250DSLPWR]

One last comment. Clean off the blade at the weld site to remove any oil and coolant residue before brazing.

 

[mjncad]

Is there a place locally with a blade welder that will do it for a reasonable price?

 

[Redneck in training]

Thre are quite few videos how to do it here:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PICf6iJnSuk]Easy DIY bandsaw repair silver solder brazing repair jig - YouTube[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRLjTW8Q1Bo[/ame]

 

[Shield Arc]

You may be to young to remember but in the 1970s there were two sizes of port-a-bands on the market. The size we have now, and a much, much larger one. I was given quite a few blades for the larger saw. I made a quick jig, cut out the length not needed, and Tig welded them back together with 309 stainless steel. Had one or two break, but not very many.

 

[tommu56]

Annealing the blade after weld is as important as the weld or braze or it will snap again.
Making sure its straight is the next concern before you fuse it or it will thump at the joint and put more pressure on the teeth and the back up bearing.

 

[yomax4]

I used to make bandsaw blades back in the day. There really is no great way to fix them once they break other than taking it back to the band saw welder. When that was not an option, We always told people to use silver solder. something simple like 45 or 50%. Seems like a low amp tig with 312 or silicon bronze would be a good option as well. After the weld, re-heat to a burgandy color for a few seconds to anneal it.