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When I started this process, I found the 12" Craftsman bandsaw (1950's vintage, probably) for $40, and it was a stretch to afford it. I accumulated shafts, bearings, and sheaves that would let me slow it down to do metal cutting. If I did the calculations correctly (not be be betting on!) I could slow it down enough. Figuring out how to do that, and keep the fast speeds for woodworking was a bit more difficulty.?

I accumulated some more sheaves, bearings, and shafts, but the setup was going to be complex. I have feline and canine companions, and trying to guard it from them, or them from it, added additional complexity. Then I acquired a stash of motors my work trashed. One 3phase gearmotor, which would work fine with a VFD, but I wanted it for my Lewis Shaper, a DC brushed motor, which AFAICT, was not, in fact, bad, but requires a couple of hundred dollars worth of power supply, and a monstrous 1phase 1750rpm motor that may require 240vac, and I'll have to rewire my shop some more to make it work.?

I've been mulling possible combinations and doing calculations for several years when I have a few spare moments to fiddle with it. I got the 4x6 H/V bandsaw from Craigslist for $100. It needs a rebuild, has been sitting out in the weather for some time. Motor started up, and tripped the inverter the seller was running it on. Got it home, found the motor is BAD! Been collecting test equipment and textbooks on checking motors, and figuring out what's wrong. I got the VFD from Ebay, for cheap, used, good, USA TECO. Works well. Buying a bunch of 12VDC batteries looks like maybe the cheapest way to go for the DC motor. Somewhere here I have a 48VDC power supply that might let me check that motor, though it won't be at full speed, and won't be variable.?

I've also got six or seven other motors to check out. And the honey-do list is interfering, but if I use the 12" bandsaw just for wood, make the motor mounting plate for the shaper, and I have photos of my friend Bill Hinkle's Lewis for a clue on how to do that with the gearmotor & VFD. I've got an HF portable bandsaw I can use to cut metal until I can fix the 4x6. It's going to take some more patience, but I can see the future. Now all I have to do is hang on by my fingernails until I can get to it. ;)

Bill in OKC