US2809679A

US2809679A - Open end bandsaw

Info

Publication number: US2809679A
Application number: US548975A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lillian V Norquist
Original assignee: DERWIN O BLANKENSHIP; MARIAN V BLANKENSHIP
Current assignee: DERWIN O BLANKENSHIP; MARIAN V BLANKENSHIP
Priority date: 1955-11-25
Filing date: 1955-11-25
Publication date: 1957-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 1974-10-15

Description

oct. 1s, 1957 v. c. NORQUIST 2,809,679.

OPEN END BANDsAw Filed Nov. 25. 195s 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 15, 1957' v. C. NORQUST 2,809,679

OPEN END BANDSAW Filed Nov. 25. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z?? /Iga INVENTOR.

United States Patent OPEN END BANDSAW Victor C. Norqnist, Kansas City, Mo.; Lillian V. Norquist, executrix of said Victor C. Norquist, deceased, assignor to Marian V. Blankenship and Dei-Win Biankenship, both of Johnson County, Kans.

Application November 25, 1955, Serial No. 548,975 8 Claims. (Cl. 143-17) This invention relates to bandsaws and refers more particularly to an open end bandsaw having a work aperture which is effectively unlimited in width.

Conventional bandsaws have many important disadvantages. Primarily, Yconventional bandsaws are severely limited in the width of the cutoff or work aperture by the diameter of the band supporting wheels (the largest conventional bandsaws measuring about forty-two inches between the opposite sides of the band). Additionally, such conventional bandsaw frames must be extraordinarily stout so there will be no opportunity for the blade to slack or kink, thus inevitably breaking the band. In a conventional bandsaw the pull on the band is at the top of the frame and, therefore, the supporting arm of the top of the frame must be extremely heavy and rigid. Additionally, in the conventional bandsaw, the operator must rely upon the velocity of motion of the band for the cutting force rather than the pull of the band itself because the band is fitted on the driving wheels only by friction. Conventional bandsaws are very expensive and require a powerful, high speed motor to drive them. Also, in the conventional bandsaw, burning of the band and breaks as a result thereof are common, in addition to band slacking or kinking breaks, thus making the conventional bandsaw unsafe in operation due to the extremely high velocity of motion of the band. Furthermore, if the band slips on its friction surface on the drive wheels, the slight resultant slackening or bend is unable to pass through the cut in the work material and the band breaks. The length of the band which is available for sawing purposes lis limited by the total circumference of the driving wheels and, as a result, the bands wear out quickly and must be replaced. The welding, forming and replacing of bands is time consuming and expensive. Finally, it is well known that conventional bandsaws are unable to cut thick stock metal, relatively hard metal or pipe and tubing stock.

Conventional ripsaws are well known for their hazard to the operator, not only for the menace of the high speed rotating saw disc but also for the danger of flying splinters and knots from the work being cut.

Conventional jigsaw are employed for their precision sawing and for their ability to cut inside enclosed areas in the work. However, it is well known that jigsaws cannot handle metal work, especially of heavy stock, with any degree of success and that jigsaw blades have a high mortality rate.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an open end bandsaw which is able to perform essentially all of the functions of conventional bandsaws, ripsaws and jigsaws without possessing the objectionable features commonly associated with such devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide an open end bandsaw having an unlimited width of access to the cutting edge of the band whereby to permit sawing of work pieces, metal frames and the like of widths far in excess of work widths useable with conventional bandsaws. Previously large area sheets and metal pieces of the type feasible for use with the present invention have been necessarily cut by the use of dies or actual hand chiseling operations. Such expensive and time consuming operations will be eliminated by the present device.

Another object of the invention is to provide an open end multipurpose bandsaw which can function as a ripsaw, but without danger to the operator from the saw teeth or flying splinters or knots, etc., from the work.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw which can saw within enclosed areas in the work and which operates at such a velocity and with such close control that very precise and accurate jigsaw-type work may be accomplished without the limitations of the conventional jigsaw and on heavier work of all types than is 'conventionally employed with jigsaws.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw which operates at an extremely low velocity, thereby almost completely removing the injury hazard to the operator from the saw itself or breakage thereof, the extremely low velocity requiring a much less powerful motor to drive the saw than those used with conventional bandsaws and providing greatly extended bandsaw life due to the minimizing of friction heating of the blade and breakage thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw which may be ernployed with a band of essentially indefinite length whereby to provide a long effective sawing operation and whereby also to provide the option of combining a portion of bandsaw of one type (such as to cut metal) and a portion of bandsaw of another type (such as to cut wood) in the same band, thereby minimizing blade changing and replacements. When such a dual purpose band is provided it is also possible to adjust the starting and stopping mechanisms of the inventive bandsaw to limit the travel of the band so only the proper type of bandsaw will be employed with a given type of work.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw which can be fed far more heavily than lany conventional bandsaw, which can cut far heavier metal stock and far harder metal stock than any conventional bandsaw and which will effectively cut tubing and pipe stock without breakage or band tooth loss.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw having automatic stopping means when the ends of the band are approached either in sawing or rewinding operations, the reversal of the direction of travel of the band being optionally selfreversing or operator controlled, instant reversal of the band at the ends thereof also optionally being provided if desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide an open end bandsaw which pulls only on the lower reel in the sawing operation, thereby making the band even more resistant to breakage.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose open end bandsaw having guides for the band positioned above and below the work surface, the guides providing a backing for the running band so as to permit heavier feeding thereof and also closely enclosing the sides of the band whereby to offer additional lateral support thereto and permit truer cutting operations, the lengths of the guides variable as desired to best t vthe material being sawed and also to vary the vertical height of the band available for sawing purposes above the work surface, the lower guide being continuous with the lower face of the work surface to oder a maximum of support thereto.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following descriptionv ln the drawings, which form a part of the instant specication and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and, in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

Fig. l is a side view with parts broken away and in section of the inventive multipurpose bandsaw.

Fig. 2 is an end view with parts in section and parts broken away of the inventive multipurpose open end bandsaw of Fig. l. Y

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. l in the direction of the arrows. Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View of part of the reversing motor apparatus of the inventive bandsaw, the view being a side view taken in the direction opposite the direction of the view of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig. l 1n the direction of the arrows.

Work surface or table 1G having opening 11 therein adjacent one end thereof is supported on floor 12-by legs 13. Lateral and longitudinal

horizontal frame members

14 and 15 are iixed'to the supporting legs 13. Plates 16 (shown only at the front end of the work surface or table) operate to close off the Working mechanisms of the bandsaw and serve as journal supports for some of the driving shafts (to be described). Y

Upper band receiving reel 17 is rotatably mounted and supported above the work surface. Lower band receiving reel 1S is rotatably mounted and supported below the work surface. The internal and outer diameters of the reels 17 and 18 depend upon the length of the band 19 to be wound thereon. Itis contemplated that from 50 to 100 feet of band 19 will be found most convenient but greater cfr lesser lengths thereof may be employed. Teeth 2t) on band 19 cut downwardly and face at right angles to the near edge of the work surface or table. of the reels are preferably essentially parallel to two edges of the rectangular work surface or table and essentially perpendicular to the other two, the reels being positioned adjacent the front edge of the work surface but the front faces of said reels being positioned therebehind so that the band 19 maypass through opening 11 in the work surface. The band may be adapted to cut only one type of material or more than one. For example, one end of the band may beradapted so as to efiiciently cut wood and the other adapted so as to most efficiently cut metal. The central ends of such different bands may be welded together to make a continuous strip. The adjusting stops for the reels and power source (to be later described) may be adjusted to start and stop the motion of the saw relative the ends of these different strips of band if so desired. The ends of the band are clamped or otherwise iixedly attached to theinner faces of the reels. The depth between the inner faces of the reels is only slightly greater than the width of the band. The grooves of the reels are in line one with the other so that the band feeds directly therebetween through the opening 11 in the work surface or table. t

A supporting member having a vertical arm 21 and horizontal arm 22 is provided for the upper reel 17 to position it relative the work surface. The supporting member is positioned relative the work surface whereby the wldth of the access to thetband cutting edge is essentially unlimited. The horizontal arm 22 extends perpendicularly to the rear edge of the band, away therefrom, spaced upwardly from the work surface to permit insertion of work therebetween, andattached to the work surface rearwardly of the rear edge of the band. The attachment 23 between the horizontal bar 22 of the support member and the work surface may be paired as shown in Fig. l, or a singlevertical support attachment Vat the rear edge of the work surface or on an extension of the work surface (not shown) to provide yetrmore jaw depth. The width and depth of the work surface may be varied as desired but it is contemplated that three to tive feet of The axes llt depth would probably take care of most contingencies.

it is desirable that the

arms

21 and 22 hold the upper reel 7 essentially rigid relative the work surface but they need not hold as rigidly as the supporting armof'a conventional bandsaw since, in the instant invention, the pull is only on the lower reel inthe sawing operation and other means are provided than extreme rigidity of the support member to maintain the band between the reels in taut relationship during both the sawing and rewinding operations.

Upper 24 and lower 25 guides are preferably provided for the band and are respectively positioned above and below the work surface and adjacent the opening 11 therein.

Guides

24 and 25 comprise three-sided tracks or grooves which closely enclose a portion of the length of the rear side of the band. The guides are so positioned relative the back edge of the band that contact of the work against the teeth 2t) on the front edge of the band brings the rear edge .thereof against the inner face of the guides whereby to support the moving band and permit heavier feeding of the workithereagainst. The enclosing side faces of the guides also permit constant or intermittentV contact of the moving band therewith and,V

thus, support and guide the band relative the work. The guides thus permit much more accurate and precise control of the band relative the work. Upper guide 24 is spaced away from the work surface so the work can be inserted therebetween, it being contemplated that guides of various length be inserted in upper frame 26 and held relative thereto by screws 27 to be employed with work of varied thicknesses and materials. Upper guide frame 26 is fixed to arm 23 which is attached to support member horizontal bar 22 at 29 by any conventional clip or attachment. Lower guide 25 is fixed to frame 30 on the lower face of work surface 10 so that the guide slot of the lower guide is continuous with opening 11. The lower guide 25 is also removable, but usually it is unnecessary to vary the length thereof.

Power source 31 is mounted relative the work surface on horizontal frames 14 and provides forward and reverse drive for reels 17 and 18 whereby to saw when the band is driven downwardly and rewind when the band is driven upwardly. Power source 31 as shown in the figures is a reversible electric motor having drive shaft 32 and supported by arms33. Belt receiving pulley 34 is fixed on the drive shaft 32. i

Upper reel 17 is mounted on stub shaft 35' received in bearing 36 supported by vertical arm 21 xed to horizontal supporting arm 22. Upper drive shaft 37 is enclosed by horizontal arm 22 and received in front and

rear bearings

38 and 39 thereon. Upper 40 and lower 41 pulleys on `stub shaft 35 and upper drive shaft 37 are connected bybelt 42. g

Lower reel supporting shaft 43 extends through and is supported by the work surface frame and has pulley 44 on the rear end thereof. Relatively loose belt 45 connects pulley 44 and pulley 46 on the rear end of upper drive shaft 37. Over-running clutch 37 (see Fig. 5) permits drive of upper drive shaft 37 in rewind rotation (counterclockwise from the front view) and frees the upper drive shaft in sawing rotation.

Lower reel supporting shaft 43 has chain receiving pulley 4S thereon behind reel 18. Primary lower drive shaft 49 is journaled in the front and rearA frame sheets (not shown) and has chain receiving pulley 50 at its front end engaged by chain 51 connected to pulley 48 and belt receiving pulley 52 positioned between the ends thereof. Secondary lower drive shaft 53 is journaled in the frame sheets at 54 and .5,5 and has two

belt receiving pulleys

56 and 57 between the ends thereof. Belt 58 engages pulleys 52k and 56 on

shafts

49 and 53, respectively, and belt 59 engages front pulley 7 on secondary driveshaft 53 and pulley 34 on motor shaft 32. Y

Fig. 3 illustrates the starting, stopping and reversing switch for the reversible electric motor 31. Conventional reversing switch 6G proper has rotatable shaft 61 extendinO upwardly therefrom supporting frame 62. Spring strip 63 is engaged at its lower end by frame 62 and at its upper end by horizontal plate 64. When strip 63 is centrally positioned as in Fig. 3, the current ow to the power source 3l is off. Rotation of strip 63 o center to either the left or the right turns on the power source 3l in either saw or rewind drive (clockwise or counterclockwise rotation from the front view, respectively, of motor shaft 32). The resilience of the strip 63 tends to return it to its central off position. Side arms 65 extend outwardly from the back plate 66. Rightangled levers 67 and 68 are pivoted at 69 and 70 on the side arms. Rods 7l and 72 connect the upper lever arms with rear extension 62a (Fig. l) of frame 62.

Vertical rods

71a and 72a connect with the lower lever arms whereby up and down motion of

rods

71a and 72a pivot frame 62 to rotate strip 63 in one direction or another.

Two actuating means are provided to twist strip 63 to regulate its position. The lirst is the operator foot control which operates to rotate the strip in either direction from olf so long as the operator depresses one of two foot pedals (to be described), the second is the automatic control which returns the strip 63 from either side position to od (central) when the band end is approached in either rewind or saw motion (to be secondarily described).

rfhe foot control comprises a pair of pedals 73 and 7d, Fig. 2, mounted on shaft 74a liXed to the frame legs and attached at their front ends to

rods

71a and 72a, res ectirely. Depression of the front end of either pedal will move the tied-in lever arm 67 or 63 to rotate frame e?, to the left or right, respectively (from front view), to turn cn the motor either in saw or rewind motion. So long as the pedal is maintained in depressed position, the motor will run (provided the end of the band either in saw or rewind is not approached, as will be later eX- lained). When the operators foot pressure is removed, the resilience of the spring strip 63 acting through the lever arms 67 and 68 will return the pedal to off position. Additional springs (not shown) may be provided under the pedals '73 or 74 to aid return. Thus, automatic shutoff on foo-t release is provided.

Referring now to the automatic band-end shutoff,

arms

73 and 76 Pigs. l and 3 are pivotally fastened to rods 71a and 72o, respectively, at their forward ends and hinged at 77 and 7S, respectively, at their rear ends to the longitudinal horizontal frame members. Cam shaft 79 extends between the horizontal frame members and is rotatably journaled at its ends therein. Opposed cams Si) and 8l are positioned respectively under arms 7S and 76 and are fixed to cam shaft 79 at their ends. Flange S2 is fixed to earn shaft 79 and rod 83 is pivotally connected thereto by bolt S4. Lateral motion of rod 83 forwardly or rearwardly will rotate cam shaft 79 so that one of the cams will contact one of the hinged

arms

75 or 76, moving it upwardly thereby to rotate through the lever system the spring strip 63 back to off position and also prevent the actuation of the

foot pedal

73 or 74 on the side of the raised cam.

Sleeve 85 encloses lower reel supporting shaft 43 and is threaded 36 to threaded section 87 thereof. Adjustable circumferential flange 88 with depending portion S9 is fastened to the outer face of sleeve 85 by flange screw 9d. Rod :33 is slideably attached to depending portion S9 by stud 9i, Fig. 4, and has retaining

staples

92 and 93 thereon. Slotted frame 94 is xed to horizontal frame member l5 by bolts 95 and serves to prevent rotation of sleeve 85 with lower reel suporting shaft 43 by abutment of stud 9i in slot 96. It is evident that rotation of lower reel supporting shaft 43 will cause sleeve 8S to slide relative thereto, depending on the direction of the threads and the direction of vrotation of the shaft 43. Fig. l shows the sleeve threaded portion 86 spaced intermediate on the shaft threaded portion v87. Rotation of the lower reel supporting shaft 43 in clockwise direction (from front view) in sawing direction will move the slide 85 forwardly, thus raising cam Se toward arm and lowering cam 81 from arm 76. Co-unterolockwise rotation of the same shaft in rewind direction will move the slide rearwardly with opposite effect on the cams. These assumptions are based on the thread angling to the left in the side view shown in Fig. l. Reversing the angle of the threads, of course, would reverse the above described action.

However, assuming the thread angle shown, assuming the cam to the right (from front view) extends forwardly (so forward motion of rod 83 cams up hinged arm 75), motion to the right (from the front view) of spring strip 63 starts the shaft 32 of power source 31 rotating in clockwise (again from the front) or sawing direction. Likewise, motion of the spring strip to the left will start drive shaft 32 of power source 31 in counterclockwise or rewind motion. Further, rotation of lower reel supporting shaft 43 in clockwise direction moves rod 83 and sleeve 85 forwardly to cam up arm v7S to return the spring strip from right position to off and rotation of lower reel supporting shaft 43 in counterclockwise direction causes the opposite reaction with the opposite cam 81. rlhe relative positions of

staples

92 and 93 on the slideably mounted rod 83 determine the effective movement of rod S3 relative the rotational distance of lower reel suporting shaft 43.

ln operation, assuming either the entire band positioned on the upper reel or the band being distributed in some intermediate position between the two reels as in Fig. 2, depression of the front end of right hand pedal 73 will draw down rod 7la, thus rotating spring strip 63 to the right (from front view). Switch 6i) then energizes from any suitable power source (not shown) the electric motor 31 and drive shaft 32 rotates in clockwise direction (from the front). Belt 59 drives pulley 57 on shaft 53 in the same direction and belt

S8 connecting pulleys

56 and 52 drives lower drive shaft 49 again in clockwise direction. Chain

5l connecting pulleys

56 and 48 also drives lower reel supporting shaft 43 in clockwise direction, thereby pulling the band 19 downwardly through opening Ill in the work surface. A very slow rate of band motion is contemplated, one to two feet per second being satisfactory. This low rate of band progression permits the closely

fitting guides

24 and 25 to support and position the band in its motion. The over-running clutch 47 on upper drive shaft 37 frees the shaft 37 in the clockwise rotation of pulley 46 so that the long belt 45 between the two

pulleys

46 and 44 on the upper and lower shafts 37 and 43 does not furnish any of the rotational force for the upper reel 17. Brake 97 serves to keep the band i9 taut during the sawing operation, the power source 3l pulling against the friction of the brake during the sawing operation. While the lower reel supporting shaft 43 is rotating in a clockwise direction taking up the band, the sleeve is moved forwardly on shaft 43 and gradually cam 80 moves up against hinged arm 75 and contacts it, thus forcing the rod 71a upwardly and returning the spring strip 63 to the off position. The

staples

92 and 93 on rod 83 have been adjusted so that the cam action does not take place until essentially all of the band has gathered ou the lower reel. lt is also contemplated that the

rod staples

92 and 93 be adjusted so that any desired portion of the band be run between the two reels before the stop mechanism is put into action. Such an adjustment would be most useful where the two ends of the band are adaptable for cutting of different types of materials.

When the cam 8) has moved upwardly to return the spring strip 63 to central or olf position, it is impossible for the operator to depress the right hand foot `pedal 73 to further operate the power source in clock- 7 wise or sawing direction. To rewind the band on the upper reel, the left-hand foot pedal 74 is depressed, thus lowering. rod 72a and moving thespring strip 63 to the left (from front view). This switches on the power source 3i and rotates the drive shaft 32 thereof in counterclockwise or rewind direction. All of the shafts below the work surface, due to their interconnection by belts and chain, also rotate in the counterclockwise direction. it should be pointed out that the left-hand pedal can be depressed any time (unless there are special band limitations imposed on the rod staples 92 and 93) that the band is not entirely collected on the upper reel. Thus, the .operator can reverse the band at any time. The over-running clutch 47 is now running in the engaging direction so that belt 45 connecting upper and lower pulleys i6 and 44 operates to drive upper drive shaft 37 from lower reel receiving shaft 43. To compensate for thesituation when the larger portion of the band is positioned on the lower reel 18, the upper pulley 46 is made smaller in diameter than the lower pulley 44 and the belt therebetween is relatively loose. Thus, there wiil tend to be a greater pull on the left side (from the front view) of lrhe top pulley 46 with a corresponding slaclrening of the belt on the right-hand side. The looseness of the belt permits periodic slipping thereof on the upper pulley 46 so that excessive strain on the belt 45 is avoided. The upper pulley 46 need be made only so much smaller in diameter than the lower pulley d4 that tension is maintained on the left side of belt Q (from the front view) while the wound diameter of the bandsaw i9 on the lower reel is greater than the wound diameter of the bandsaw on the upper reel. Once the aggregated quantity of saw on the upper reel exceeds that of the saw on the lower reel, there will automatically be tension in the belt 45 due to the fact that more saw is wound on the upper reel 17 during one revolution thereof than is taken oif of lower reel 18 during the same period. The loose belt 45 by its periodic slipping on the pulley 46, provides an even application of force to the upper drive shaft 37 without excessive strain on the belt 4e'.

Once again, when essentially all of the saw 19 is aggregated on the upper reel, the cam 81 is moved upwardly by the rearward motion of rod 83 and slide 85 thereby contacting arm 75 to return the spring strip 63 to the central off position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention is one well adapted 'to attain all of the ends and objects hereinbefore set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the arrangement disclosed.

it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the apl pended claims.

inasmuch as various possible modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A bandsaw comprising a work supporting surface positioned above the supporting floor level, an upper reel rotatably mounted above said work surface, a lower reel rotatably mounted below said work surface, shafts connected to said reels for rotating them in forward and reverse directions, a length of bandsaw in excess of the distance between the reelsrwound thereon and communieating between one side of each reel and the corresponding side of the other through a single opening in the work surface, a reversible power source mounted xedly relative said surface, means connecting said power source to the lower reel shaft whereby to rotate said reel as to wind the band thereon in one direction of drive of the motor .8 Y in the sawing operation and means connecting said lower reel shaft to said upper reel shaft whereby the other direction of drive of the motor rotates both reels so as to wind the band on the upper reel in the rewind oper-Y ation.

2. A bandsaw as in claim l including means freeing said upper shaft from the drive connection to the lower shaft while the band is being wound on the lower reel.

3..A bandsaw as in claim 2 including means for braking said upper shaft when the'band is being wound on the lower reel whereby to maintain the band taut between the reels.

4. A bandsaw as in claim 1 including means for maintaining that portion ofthe band extending between the reels taut and preventing excessive strain thereon when the band is being wound on the upper reel.

5. A band saw comprising a work-supporting surface positioned above the supporting door level, an upper reel rotatably mounted above said work surface, a lower reel rotatably mounted below said work surface, a length of band saw in excess of the distance between the reels wound thereon and communicating between one side of each reel and the corresponding side of the other through a single opening in the work surface, a power source mounted iixedly relative said work surface, said power source operative to provide at least forward drive for the reels, the power source in said forward drive driving Y the lower reel in rotation to pull the band saw downwardly through the work surface to saw.

6. A band saw comprising an extensive work supporting surface positioned above the supporting floor level, an

upper reel rotatably mounted above said work surface, a lower reel rotatably mounted below said work surface,

a length of band saw in excess of the distance betweenV the two reels wound thereon and communicating between one side of each reel and the corresponding side of the other through a single opening in said work surface, the reels and Opening in the work surface positioned adjacent the forward edge of the work surface, supporting means for the upper reel comprising a supporting arm extending kperpendicularly to the cutting edge of the band and rearwardly away therefrom, said supporting arm spaced upwardly from the work surface to permit insertion of work therebetween and attached relative to said work surface adjacent the edge of the work surface opposite the rear edge of the band and essentially the maximum distance from said edge possible on said surface, a power source mounted xedly relative said work surface, said power source operative to provide at least forward drive for one of the reels, the power source driving the lower reel in rotation to pull the band downwardly through the openingrin the work surface to saw in forward drive.

7. A band saw comprising an extensive work supporting surface positioned above the supporting floor level, an upper reel rotatably mounted above said work surface, a lower reel rotatably mounted below said work surface, a length of band saw in excess of the distance between the two reels wound thereon and communicating between one side of each reel and the corresponding side of the other through a single opening in said work surface, supporting means for the upper reel comprising a supporting arm extending perpendicularly to the cutting edge of the band and rearwardly away therefrom, said supporting arm spaced upwardly from the work surface to permit insertion of work therebetween, said supporting arm lixedly positioned relative said work surface so substantially the whole work supporting surface rearwardly of the front edge of the work surface is clear, a power source mounted fixedly relative said work surface, said power source operative to provide at least forward drive for one of the reels, the power source driving the lower reel in rotation to pull the band downwardly through the opening in the work surface to saw in forward drive.

8. A band saw as in claim 7 including an upper guide for the band rigidly positioned above the work surface and a lower guide for the band rigidly positioned below the work surface, both guides essentially vertically in line with the opening in the Work surface, and both guides closely enclosing a portion of each side and the rear edge of the band whereby the band may be forced rearwardly or sideways against the guides to oer resistance against forced feeding of the work against the band, the upper guide attached to the supporting arm with its lower edge extending relatively close to the work surface and the lower guide attached to the underside of the Work surface with its upper edge next said underside, the opening in the Work surface and the upper and lower guides being positioned vertically in line with a position intermediate the inner and outer boundaries of the band when it is fully Wound on the upper reel.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS Hedge May 8, Prescott Apr. 29, Zumbro May 19, Potter et al. June 7, Shinn Apr. 30, Arkema May 31, Grob Aug. 17, Grob et al. Aug. 26, Ocenasek Nov. 30,