Vintage European Band Saws

[Patrick Kane]

I was thinking about this during my lengthy commute this morning, and for all the great examples of jointers, planets, table saws, shapers, and mortisers I’ve seen from the 20th century across the Atlantic, I have never seen people talk about old European band saws. In fact, I think I’ve only ever seen a couple examples of Wadkin saws in the 30-36” range pre 1960. All lead me to wonder, why were Martin and the other German manufacturers not making an incredible bandsaw at the time? Comparatively, I feel like guys can barely give away the 36”+ notthfields, Olivers, and tannewitz saws here in the states. The Yates seem to sell anytime I see them on the used market, but the rest usually sell for the price of a 14” Taiwan saw with a warranty.

[Darcy Warner]

Google Bauerle bandsaws.

I will own one of the older cast ones.

They are all pretty rare here and for the most part, a big BS, is a big BS.

[Joe Calhoon]

I have a little 500 mm Hema from the 80s. It does not have a cast frame but is a smooth running saw with a lot of features not commonly found on bandsaws. Way better quality of build and function than my Agazzini.
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The guide raise and lower is a chain drive with handwheel that stays true with the guides at any height.
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The fence is solid cast cast iron with a drift adjustment.
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The miter gauge rides rides on a bar and folds out of the way.

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The table tilts easily.

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[Brian Holcombe]

Joe, that’s a nice little saw. How’s the noise level on it compared to the Aggazani?

I like my MM20 but it is much louder than I had expected and I wonder if that is typical of sheet metal saws.

[Joe Calhoon]

This little Frommia is the smoothest running saw I have encountered. I tried to buy it off the owner of a German shop but he would not part with it!. As Darcy mentions Baurele is a good one.
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Zimmerman is probably the best band saw made and was a favorite in pattern shops. They are a little boxy looking but very functional and accurate. This is the upper wheel assembly of one in the pattern shop of a school. Sorry could not find a picture of the saw.

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[Joe Calhoon]

Joe, that’s a nice little saw. How’s the noise level on it compared to the Aggazani?

I like my MM20 but it is much louder than I had expected and I wonder if that is typical of sheet metal saws.

It’s pretty quiet Brian. The Aggazani is loud. That Frommia though was the best in that respect.

[Darcy Warner]

I forgot about Zimmermann, sure they are excellent machines, but the older Bauerle is the best looking.

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks, Joe!

[Peter Kelly]

Not too many nicer bandsaws out there than the ones built by Chambon Guilliet.


https://www.international-machines-bois.com/photos/photo-scie-a-ruban-79-1.jpg


https://www.international-machines-bois.com/79/scie-a-ruban/scie-a-ruban.html

[Mark Hennebury]

There has to be thousands of classic old bandsaw machines to choose from, many of them were quite beautiful, and seriously built.
I have had a few bandsaws over the years, Delta, General, Meber, Makita Resaw, Hitachi Resaw, and a Zimmermann, I have Only owned one classic saw, my current saw which is the 1950 30" Robinson YD/T it ticks all of the boxes for me. A 2184 lb awe inspiring work of industrial art.

My first bandsaw;
Not sure on the year, but i am 65 now, so it was a while back.


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My Makita Resaw.

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This General i sold for a friend, so i didn't use it myself.

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The Meber, (not my cup of tea at all)

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[Mark Hennebury]

The Zimmerman: A seriously nice saw.

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[Mark Hennebury]

My 1950 Robinson.

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[Brian Holcombe]

Those are really big!

[Tom Trees]

Panhans make some quality machines and are still going strong.

What is so loud about your MM20 Brian?
My 24" ACM star running from a VFD is relatively quiet.
I had a 20" single phase machine with an electric brake before, and it gave quite a harsh noise starting and stopping.
Is this what you are referring to?

Just got some new Axminster blades for what was my troublesome saw
I never got around to replacing the lower tire what was damaged previously, and dressed it to what looked good to my eyes.
Still I had problems on the multiple blades I had bought from a previous supplier, they were walking around, never stayed put and led to much rubbing of the thrust guide.
There was a cranky creaking sound when hand turning the wheels, or when the machine was coasting to a stop.
These issues are all gone with these blades, its good to know that I can get a blade from a company that has invested heavily in the manufacturing equipment
so will be back again when the time comes.
I can't wait to try cutting some thicker stock with these when the time comes.

Tom

[Brian Holcombe]

That doesn’t surprise me, 3ph motors run more quietly.

No weird noise, just generally a bit loud. Sheet metal machines transmit more vibration from the motor than cast iron.

[Joe Calhoon]

Mark, the Robinson looks incredible stout and see it has a chain type raising mechanism for the guides. The motorized guide raising on the Zimmerman is something else!

Tom, Aggazani made the saws for Panhans and added their own guides. They now own Aggazani. Not sure if they are building the saws in Germany or Italy. I have looked at them at the shows and appear to be the same as mine. It’s not a bad saw, my biggest complaint is the guide raising mechanism is horrible on these and full of plastic parts where they should be metal. Table casting are thin and typical of sheet metal frame it has some vibration. Not familiar with other brands of Italian saws but think they have been cost engineered down a lot in recent years. The old Centauro was stout.

Brian,
My only complaint on the Hema is the single phase motor. It runs hot and funny clicking noise from the brake when stopping. I don’t think the Euro mfgs do well with single phase. The Hema and Graule saw both came through Mahogany Masterpieces with single phase motors. Both run pretty hot. I think it’s a good thing your Ulmia has a US motor.

[Mark Hennebury]

Hi Joe, I love the shape of the Robinson, all of the parts are cast, and smooth rounded edges. Its rock solid, it has a brake lever to stop the machine, and a built in light by the blade. The lower wheel arbor weighs as much as some bandsaws. I love the upper blade assembly. For me its one of those machines that makes me feel good using it or just looking at it. It makes you feel nostalgic for some kind of long gone fantasy world, where you could live in a place and time where building machines like this was normal.

The guide raising mechanism is nice, it has a heavy spring assist to roll that chain up, so its pretty easy.... not as easy as pressing the button on the Zimmerman though.
The Zimmermann has a huge under guide clearance as it is a pattermakers saw.

I have seen a lot of very beautiful saws over the years, the older the more artistic the designs, and the newer more boxy looking, and designed more around budget.

My brother also has a Robinson saw and has stripped his down to rebuild it, i hope that someday i may get around to doing mine.

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[QUOTE=Joe Calhoon;2951074]Mark, the Robinson looks incredible stout and see it has a chain type raising mechanism for the guides. The motorized guide raising on the Zimmerman is something else!

[Brian Holcombe]

That’s true, the baldor in the Ulmia is much quieter than the euro single phase motors in the bandsaw and planer. The European 3ph motors are nice and quiet.

[Mike Kees]

This thread reminds me of the old days,wish Van Huskey was around to get involved in this one. I have a Centauro CO 600 from 1980. Not sure if that is really 'vintage' however it is a fantastic saw. I bought this saw for $600. I replaced wheel bearings,motor bearings,blade guides and had to fabricate my own dust chute and handles for the fence as well as tracking control. Also made a foot pedal for the brake and had the brake pad rebuilt at a brake shop. Then it was clean up and paint. Maybe not pristine or perfect but it is a great working saw.

[Brian Holcombe]

Mike, I saw one of those recently and it looked to be made mainly of cast iron, is that the case?

[Jeff Bartley]

This is true machine eye-candy!
That Zimmerman looks hella stout. I wish my Aggazani had guides like the Zimmerman. I also wish it was 3-Phase. Mine has the typical euro-style guides and seems like I'm always fussing with them.

[David Kumm]

Wadkin made many bandsaws and some of them were beautiful too. Probably close to Robinson in weight and much more common. Robinson machines are rare. Mark's 30" is at least 500 lbs heavier than my Oliver 217. Dave

[Mike Kees]

No mine is a steel framed saw.

[Darcy Warner]

It's just sexy.

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[Mark Hennebury]

Looks like a stout machine there Darcy, don't see many with the top wheel support like that. What year was this machine from?


It's just sexy.

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[Darcy Warner]

Looks like a stout machine there Darcy, don't see many with the top wheel support like that. What year was this machine from?

Any info I can find puts that design in the mid 50s though the mid 70s.