upgrade rockwell band saw to 1 1/2 hp

[Foss]

I have a 28-200 Rockwell  band saw that I bought new in 1979 with 6" riser block in good condition. It has a 1/2hp motor. I am considering switching the motor out for a 1 1/2hp for better re-saw abilities. I saw a new Vevar 1 1/5 HP motor on Ebay for $161.
Has anyone else done this and any thoughts?

[jteneyck]

I have a 28-200 Rockwell  band saw that I bought new in 1979 with 6" riser block in good condition. It has a 1/2hp motor. I am considering switching the motor out for a 1 1/2hp for better re-saw abilities. I saw a new Vevar 1 1/5 HP motor on Ebay for $161.
Has anyone else done this and any thoughts?

I have what is very much the same saw, a 14" cast iron Delta, plus a riser block.  I upgraded to a 1.5 hp motor when I added the riser block.  It had a 3/4 or 1 hp on it originally and it was poor for resawing even 6" stock.  It's still slow, but I cut a lot of 10" wide veneer with it before I bought a larger, more powerful saw.  If you need to resaw anything over 3 or 4 inches, you will greatly appreciate the larger motor.   With a 1/2" x 3 tpi blade it will cut well if you set up the saw properly and don't overload the blade.  It's never going to be a wood eating monster, but that motor and blade will allow you to do most anything needed for resawing and cutting veneer up to 10" or so.   

John

[Foss]

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with the Vevar line of motors? I noticed one on Ebay for $161. says its 1 1/2HP 1750 rpm, farm duty, continuous duty and brand new. The price seems very low to me? Would this work for re-
sawing on a band saw?

[jteneyck]

I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with the Vevar line of motors? I noticed one on Ebay for $161. says its 1 1/2HP 1750 rpm, farm duty, continuous duty and brand new. The price seems very low to me? Would this work for re-
sawing on a band saw?

That motor should work fine.  Made in China, however.  You might want to look locally for a used Baldor, Leeson, etc. motor.  

John

[fredhargis]

When I had my Delta 14", I changed the 1/2 HP motor to a 1 HP, and idhed I had went with 1.5...or maybe even 2 HP. The motor I used was a Grizzly (Taiwan, I think) since it was about the least expensive I could find. It will be a good thing to do (the larger motor) but looking for a used USA one makes sense...you may not find one but at least check around.

[Foss]

I ordered the 1 1/2 hp Vevar motor from Ebay so we'll see how it goes. We don't get many used motors in this area on Craigslist

so I though for $160 I'd give it a try.

[jteneyck]

I ordered the 1 1/2 hp Vevar motor from Ebay so we'll see how it goes. We don't get many used motors in this area on Craigslist

so I though for $160 I'd give it a try.

Who uses Craigslist anymore?  Try Facebook Marketplace next time.  

John

[Foss]

Well John.........I do use both, but I still prefer Craigslist. The Craigslist adds usually give much more info about the item as well as more pictures. At least that has been my experience.

[Foss]

Still waiting to receive my new motor. In the mean time.......I also want to add some integrated lighting for this band saw.
Anybody add lighting to a band saw that they like? I would like to keep it @ $70.

[fredhargis]

I just ordered this one for my lathe, and I have another on my drill press. Plenty of light and the switch is on the lamp head (instead of being somewhere in the power cord) making it a little easier to manage. The on I do have on my bandsaw is the same model, except it has that switch in the power cord...still works as well, except for the switch not being as esy to reach.