Bridgewood PBS -440

[Pete Beck]

Hello,

I am considering buying a Bridgewood PBS 440 bandsaw for sale for $1000. It appears to have been made in 1992. It looks like a nice saw and what I could find about it people seem to like them, but there isn't a lot of information on them. Are these saws direct drive? I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice based on there experience with them. I have a 20" crescent bandsaw that is decent, but definitely tired and could use some attention.

Anyone think this is an upgrade, or a lateral move, or a bad move? While the capabilities would be similar, I imagine that the Bridgewood would be a smother running machine.

Thanks in advance!

[Bill Dufour]

See links below. sounds like it is made by Laguna. C face motor but belt drive. Also sold as the Laguna 16 hd
Bill D.

See page 10 and 16 in manual

https://860860.app.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=660538&c=860860&h=979aec9d9982819a74e5&_xt=.pdf

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?59664-Bridgewood-PBS-440-PBS-540-Bandsaw-motor

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?15210-Bridgewood-Bandsaw-Problems-Solved

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?52074-The-real-deal-on-Laguna-bandsaws

[Erik Loza]

To the OP: That saw is (was) made by ACM of Italy. There are several distributors over the years who either did or still do sell ACM bandsaws under their own individual labels. Any Italian bandsaw will be very high quality but obviously, you would want to take a look at how your particular machine has been cared for. Hope this helps and good luck in your search.

Erik

[Dave Sabo]

See links below. sounds like it is made by Laguna. C face motor but belt drive. Also sold as the Laguna 16 hd
Bill D.



NOT ACCURATE !The Laguna 16HD and the Bridgewood PBS are entirely different animals. Not really even close.

The 16HD has a frame that is about twice as strong as the 18” (roughly) Bridgewood. It also has about 4” more resaw capacity and 1-2 more h.p. depending on vintage.

The correct comparison is Laguna’s LT18 which is nearly identical during the same period except for the paint colors and switches. Laguna also changed to American sourced motors later in their run.

Additionally the manual you link is way newer than the vintage saws discussed here. And , while helpful and similar to 90’s saws that manual is not entirely accurate for that era.

[Pete Beck]

Thank you guys for your input. Sounds like, whatever the exact model to compare to is, this is likely a decent saw. For what it is worth, it has a Seimec motor. The plate is a little hard to read in the photos, but it looks like it is 3 phase 2.8 (?) kw. The photos make it look well cared for, we'll see. Hopefully I'll get to take a look at it in a day or two.

[Tom Trees]

There should be more info to be got by looking for the ACM SNAC machines,
or in fact, likely old Felder's if you can find 440, or Griggio SNAC.

I think there maybe have been 2 or more factories which ACM owned, clarification needed, could be moved either,
the main or present one from what I gather is Novelara, but Reschigliano is on the badges of some odd looking backwards built Griggio SNAC machines,
501358501359

Been looking at a few of these recently, one thing to note being different is the trunnions, some are longer than others on both SNA, and SNAC 40 series, and most of those
spec'd to tilt to 45, but examples of the compact trunnion also exist tilting to 45.
https://forum.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/tools/power-tools/39329-a-bigger-bandsaw

The tables may have a lesser deepened mitre slot compared to Laguna, could be a different table, compared to the SNAC, I don't know.
I think the little dust box might not be apparent on some?, I wasn't looking for that.
501360501361


Good luck, listen carefully for noise of the top wheel, if you can..as with any machine.
Tom

[Bill Dufour]

When I get a new machine like that I try to unbelt the motor and listen to the motor run by itself. Then spin the machine by itself and listen for noisy bearings stuff rubbing guards etc.
Bill D

[Dave Sabo]

Thank you guys for your input. Sounds like, whatever the exact model to compare to is, this is likely a decent saw. For what it is worth, it has a Seimec motor. The plate is a little hard to read in the photos, but it looks like it is 3 phase 2.8 (?) kw. The photos make it look well cared for, we'll see. Hopefully I'll get to take a look at it in a day or two.

Unless you have three phase, that’s going to make that saw less of a deal. Or not one at all. And, a hassle .

I’d double check that because Bridgewood / Wilke wasn’t really into industrial three phase stuff that I remember. That’s not to say they wouldn’t order you a saw with that type motor.

[Bill Dufour]

Three phase might be nice use. a VFD and get power brakes with no moving parts.
Bill D

[Dave Sabo]

Three phase might be nice use. a VFD and get power brakes with no moving parts.
Bill D

Since the saw already has a manual brake with motor switch it kinda makes the VFD feature moot.

But you still get to pay for and program and re-program the VFD just to get it to run.

[Greg Quenneville]

How much does a 4 h.p. Vfd go for these days? I have native three phase power in my (Australian) garage yet I still run a vfd on my 24” saw for its soft start and braking functions. It’s a Chinese unit, unlike the name brand VFDs on some of my other machines, but it only took 9.4 minutes to program, and 6.1 minutes of that was spent making espresso and finding my thinking cap.

[Erik Loza]

To Dave’s point, that machine was marketed to the hobby market and “usually” would be sold with a single-phase motor. That being said, it could also be a single-phase, 50 Hz motor. That was a thing in 80’s and 90’s. The motor ID plate will answer all these questions.

Erik

[Dave Sabo]

You can get a cheap / used on for a couple hundred bucks. But most people (especially with no experience) are not going to be able to set up a VFD from outa the box in 3 minutes.

And there there’s also the time you’ll spend wiring and mounting of the drive.

None of it is rocket science , but it still takes time learnin and a do-in to make it all work properly. Plus added cost. Which, makes the “deal” less attractive. Still may be worth it. Might not.

[Bill Dufour]

It may be cheaper to buy a VFD then to buy the custom brake pads used on my lathe. When that wears out I will just disengage the brakes and use only dynamic braking. The 600 group is known for crazy high part prices.
Bill D

[Pete Beck]

I picked up the saw a couple days ago and it is great. It is a little smaller than I was expecting, so it might not be replacing my 20" delta, but it is a welcome addition to my shop! The glare on the picture of the motor tag was hard to read. It is in fact single phase 220, 1.8 kw. It is 30 years old and in near mint condition, so I am pretty happy with it. While negotiating with the seller he included a makita 2040 planer for an additional $200. So I am hoping to unload that and recoup a little money on the bandsaw.

Does anyone have any idea what a 2040 in good shape would be worth? I see them for sale for anywhere from $300 to $1250..... This one appears to have newish feed rollers and 3 sets of knives. The owner was a hobbyist with a dry basement shop

Beyond that, I do have a phase converter, so that would not have been a problem.... good looking out though!

Thanks for everyone's advise.

[Dave Sabo]

Was pretty sure the 440 was not three phase.

My w.a.g. on the makita is $500-$1000. You gotta verify that the rollers are actually in good shape and not just a pretty face. Old rollers can look great and not grip worth a darn. IIRC, the 2040 rollers are @ $200+ to recover/replace.

[Bill Dufour]

Was pretty sure the 440 was not three phase.

I have never heard of single phase over 240 volts.
Bill D

[Dave Sabo]

I have never heard of single phase over 240 volts.
Bill D

was referring to the saw model …..pbs-440 , not the voltage.

sorry for the confusion.