View Poll Results: Which do you prefer on your bandsaw?

Voters
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  • Foot Brake

    14 43.75%
  • Motor Brake

    7 21.88%
  • No Brake

    11 34.38%
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Thread: Foot Brake, Motor Brake or no Brake on bandsaw

  1. #1

    Foot Brake, Motor Brake or no Brake on bandsaw

    Which do you prefer? Foot brake, Motor brake, or no brake.

  2. #2
    I don't think I would like a foot brake on my 24" bandsaw, although my say is a bit high off the ground with the mobile base.
    Yes, I could adjust it a bit lower, but since I don't have a brake I don't need to.
    I think of the foot brake as an emergency stop, as you would wear out the shoe if you kept doing it, you would probably whack
    your knee off the table if you were in an emergency situation from the look of some, although it would be no bother to make an extension for the
    break pedal to lower it or make it adjustable with flat stock and a few bolts.

    I'm running my machine off a cheap VFD, and I just set the parameters to a coasting stop to not stress anything.
    I just think of it they way used to be, when they were water powered
    If I need to stop it you can use a bit of scrap.
    I had a 20" 240v single phase saw before, and I thought the motor brake was really harsh as was the startup.
    I have never used any other machine with a brake, so it may be just a case of getting used to it.

    Another thing if you are mounting switches, I found I often stopped the machine by accident with my hip when cutting.
    A slight bit annoying, and I defiantly would not like this to happen when resawing tall stuff, as there would be a bump on the timber from stopping.
    I don't mind this happening with the tablesaw, yet...although I have heard this can be dangerous to go back to a previous cut.
    I have since had to wire up a lightswitch as the new VFD on the bandsaw needs a part (relay) for the old switches to work.
    I have not used the saw much since wiring the switch, but don't have any issues yet.
    SAM_0939.JPGSAM_0942.JPGSAM_2139.JPG
    Tom

  3. #3
    Depends what bandsaw I am using . Of the 5 saws 2 have electric and the largest has a hand brake
    jack
    English machines

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Central MA
    Posts
    1,584
    The foot brake on my MM20 is darned near perfect. It's in just the right spot and the fact that it functions as the off switch makes it a simple matter to turn the saw off with a tap of my foot without having to let go of anything. I don't use it to completely stop the blade unless I need to.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    2,005
    Got a foot brake on my Hammer N4400 that is also connected to a switch that kills the motor when the brake is pressed and I use it all the time. Nice feature to have.
    If at first you don't succeed, redefine success!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    In the foothills of the Sandia Mountains
    Posts
    16,621
    I've used the foot brake on my MM16 only a few times, it works as it should, I just don't use it. I use the off switch and let it coast to a stop. I'm the only one in the shop. I don't think a blade break is important enough be a determining factor in a purchasing decision.
    JMHO
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  7. #7
    I agree with Bruce Page. I bought what I considered the best saw for the money even though it did not have a brake. There were a lot of factors with higher priority like resaw capacity, blade tensioning capacity (I wanted to be able to tension and use a 3/4" blade), easy de-tensioning, cast iron table, decent fence, . . .

    Doug

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    E TN, near Knoxville
    Posts
    12,298
    I would love a foot brake on my 18" bandsaw. I can build the mechanism. I thought that a fiber break pad bearing against the lower wheel might work but I'd like to see how a factory brake works.

    JKJ

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Central WI
    Posts
    5,666
    I don't like to walk away from any machine with blades still running so mechanical foot brake, braking reisistor on vfd, Short stop injection brake or similar ( Versibrake ) are all used on my machines. Don't care as long as I have something. Dave

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    WNY
    Posts
    9,647
    The wheels on my Grizzly 0636X spin for a very long time if you don't step on the brake. I don't want to risk getting into that big bad blade after my attention is somewhere else, so I use it every time to turn off the machine and stop the blade. Works fine. The wheels on my little 14" Delta, on the other hand, stop pretty quickly on their own.

    John

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,504
    I have a disease that cost me my hearing. It effects the inner ear and thus effects my balance. My MM-16 has a footbrake and I always use it.

    Do what is right for you. There is no right or wrong in this matter IMO.
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Beantown
    Posts
    2,831
    As far as preferences go I prefer the footbrake. Generally speaking in the woodshop I prefer mechanical systems to electronic, mechanical I can usually wrap me head around how to fix, electronic gizmos....not so much. I wouldn't say a brake is necessary on a bandsaw, but it sure is a nice option to have.

    good luck,
    JeffD

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    My MM16 has a foot brake but I've only ever used it a few times...it is a good safety feature, however...when you need it.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    SoCal
    Posts
    22,492
    Blog Entries
    1
    Don't have one and don't miss it. Maybe if I had one I'd miss it but, sounds like there's folks that have one and don't often use it. I'd consider it a nice-to-have, not a deal breaker or "short-list" item for determining my selection.
    "A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".


    – Samuel Butler

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Toronto Ontario
    Posts
    11,247
    I like the electronic motor brake, either vis a VFD or DC injection, automatic, you don't have to do anything and no mechanical parts...........Regards, Rod.

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