Crescent Machine Co. Bandsaw (Patent 1905) Purchase Advice

[Charlie_6ft]

Hi, I am eyeing off an old bandsaw (I think it's about 32") and have thrown a few queries to Matty (L.S. Barker1970) but thought I would stop pestering him and share my questions here in the event it may help others. The saw is about 400klms from me so to daylte I have relied on pictures and a multitude of questions to the owner.

Q1. From the pics I have been provided it looks like at the very least it'll need new vulcanized rubber on the idler and drive wheel. Through a query a year or two ago someone mentioned a place in Goodna (Brisbane) that charged about $250, but can't find the info anywhere. Does anyone know where I may be able to get the wheels re-done in Brisbane?

Q2. I am told it was working fine last time it was used but has just been sitting in a shed for a while (it belonged to an ex-boat builder). With that said, I may need to repour the babbitt bearings, I did a quick Google and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of people in Australia who can supply the lead based babbitt metal. But who in Brisbane could someone recommend?

Q3. The motor on the saw is a Crompton Parkinson 2.75HP Three Phase motor. On the motor plate it has 940RPM. This sounds pretty slow? I would be replacing the motor with a Single Phase 3HP motor (Cheaper than a VFD) which looks very straight forward given the foot mounting assembly. What RPM would I seek in a motor as a replacement? I have read anything from 1400RPM to over 3000RPM!

[clear out]

The Wadkin DR30 and 36” bandsaws had 750 rpm direct drive motors.
You should be able to find a 1425rpm single phase motor and gear it using pulleys.
Good luck with your PK search.
I had one but moved it onto a mate when I bought a Martin.
That was about 30 years ago.
Raymond up your way has a couple from memory.
H.

[dinosour]

Caution on changing motor speed, it would increase blade speed ie in old terms feet per minute, put extra load on motor and potentially decrease cutting efficiency. Blade selection would be a real consideration, in my humble opinion you would need to get less tpi .
Good luck with the project hope it works for you