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Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 10:06 am
by amboyna
I have a Shopsmith 10ER that I want to hook an 11" Bandsaw to. I have the Power Mount Adapter kit.
My question is- How much difference is there between the Magna Model 630 and the newer Shopsmith Bandsaws. On the newer ones some have a cast iron table and some have aluminum. Is one preferred over the other?
And what about the Yuba version. See pic below.

Re: Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:33 am
by thunderbirdbat
At one point Yuba owned the SS brand. The basic design of the bandsaw has not changed over the years. Originally they came with a cast iron table that was replaced with the aluminum one. The aluminum one is slightly larger and has only one miter gauge slot. It has an optional fence system and an extension both of which are optional. The cast iron table may be upgraded to an aluminum one for a cost. The one pictured has the upgraded aluminum table with extension and it looks like a fence. There were several upgrades made over the years that can also be added to the bandsaw. Here is a link to a post that describes some of the modifications that can be done. http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... t8361.html

Re: Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:03 pm
by chapmanruss
Hi Bruce,
Maybe this history on the Shopsmith will help.

Shopsmith is the name given to the tool itself in 1947 with the invention of this 5 in 1 tool, the Shopsmith Model 10E. The inventor and his partners formed Magna Engineering Corporation to make the Shopsmith Model 10E and later it became the 10ER. The Shopsmith Mark 5 went on sale in March of 1954 and replaced the Model 10’s. The Special Purpose Tools (SPT) like the Jointer, Jig Saw, Belt Sander, etc. carried the Magna name not Shopsmith. Magna also made tools and parts for other companies. In 1955 the company split into two divisions. Magna Power Tool Corporation became the sales and marketing and Magna Engineering Corporation retained the design and manufacturing. In 1958 Magna Power Tool Corporation merged with Weber Engineering Products, Inc. to form a new company Yuba Power Products Inc. a division of Yuba Consolidated Industries who purchased the two companies. The Shopsmith/Magna line of tools still carried their Shopsmith or Magna names. YardSmith outdoor power tools were also made by Yuba Power Products. In 1962 Magna American Corporation was formed by a group of Yuba employees and continued the Shopsmith/Magna line of tools. Within a few years with dwindling interest in them they one by one discontinued making the different Shopsmith and Magna tools. In 1972 John Folkerth purchased the Shopsmith/Magna tool line and formed Shopsmith Inc. and restarted production of the Mark 5 and related tools but now the company name and the tool names were the same. Many of the Special Purpose Tools still carried Magna markings for several years but were now Shopsmith tools. When looking for Shopsmith tools or parts several names, Magna Engineering Corporation, Magna Power Tool Corporation, Yuba Power Products, Magna American Corporation, Shopsmith Inc. RLF Shop LLC and RLF Brands will be attached to them.

As for the differences Brenda covered most of it. The older Cast Iron Table uses the Miter from the Mark V for a fence as they can lock in the miter slot. The aluminum table has the fence as an option and the Miter can be used in the miter slot provided. Even the early 1950's Band Saws can be upgraded to all the current features. Something Shopsmith/Magna has always tried to engineer into there tools since the introduction of the Mark 5. Even the Model 10's were given options to add new accessories (the SPT adapter set you have). The only tool, more or less, left out of this up-grade ability was the old Mark VII. It can use the SPT's but most of the tool's components are made specifically for the Mark VII. The headstock is different but can be replaced by the Mark V headstock. The tables are a different size and other parts can be identified as from a Mark VII because they were cast differently. Example, the miter has a different lock and the tailstock has a different shape.

Re: Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:26 pm
by JPG
'It' also has the table extension accessory.

Do not be concerned that the 'brand' says YUBA.

Re: Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:56 pm
by amboyna
Thanks everyone.
Basically what I will be using it for is cutting square blocks into round bowl blanks. And usually the blocks are 2" thick or less.
The Magna 630 or the Mark V should work just fine for that.
Sounds like the Mark VII is the only one to avoid. Not because of quality.
But for the reasons Russ mentioned about parts (not) being interchangeable.

Re: Bandsaw Suggestions?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:58 pm
by JPG
Not sure how the Mark VII got into this thread about bandsaws intended to be used on a 10ER. ;) :confused: