Working through the cleanup and restoration process of my 20″ Yates American J-120 band saw. This is not a full strip it down and repaint type of restoration, but a functional refurbishment. I’m cleaning up and rebuilding all the internals and mechanical components, and doing a cleaning on the outside.
Sharing the process of acquiring a Yates American J-120 Bandsaw, detailing efforts to restore its mechanical and electrical components. After successfully transporting the saw with community support from OWWM.org and friends, I am thankful and excited for upcoming restoration work.
I am preparing to stand up the bandsaw with the help of a friend soon. I removed and cleaned old parts, installed a mobile base, and addressed rust issues. The internal components were cleaned and painted, ensuring functionality. The project is progressing well, with more updates expected soon.
Details of the drive wheel and brake assembly. Worn bearings get replaced, and components get a general cleaning. Some parts get painted to prevent rust. After replacing the brake pads the whole thing was reinstalled in to the machine, allowing progress to continue on the project.
The restoration process of J-120 continues with the upper wheel area, focusing on cleaning and repairing various components. Despite accumulated sawdust, rust was minimal. Key tasks included removing and cleaning the upper wheel assembly and guide post, repairing the tension gauge, and getting it all reinstalled. The assembly is now functioning smoothly.
After enlisting the help of a friend who was in town (and my perpetually curious 4-year old), the saw is now upright on its mobile base. Following the successful lift, I focused on cleaning and preserving the saw’s surfaces to remove rust and enhance its appearance. While not fully restored, progress is promising and ongoing.
One of the big ones! I convert the band saw from a 3-phase motor to a single-phase motor, detailing the rewiring process for the motor starter and overload protection. Also ensuring correct selection of appropriate heater elements for overload protection, and the satisfaction of maintaining the original equipment’s appearance throughout the project.
The update is all about replacing the saws original three-phase motor with a 1.5hp single-phase motor. A custom adapter plate was designed to align the new motor with the existing bracket. After multiple attempts and adjustments on the CNC machine, the motor was successfully mounted, allowing for testing and further assembly.
Continued progress on cleaning and restoring a saw table, addressing rust issues and reassembling components with attention to shim placement. The cleaning involved scraping, buffing, and waxing to ensure smooth operation. Collaboration with my son highlighted the restoration process at the start!
The wheels are re-tired, crowned and balanced. The guide blocks are cleaned, upgraded, and reinstalled. A fence is added, and this band saw will cut!