Craftsman Band Saw

Next, try some of the Atlas machine tool parts sources or discussion groups on the web. Atlas made these saws.

Finally, you can get a new import horizonal band saw for about $140 if you shop around. One of the only decent Chinese tools made. Very popular.

You'll want to clamp down the wheel (to keep the warp out) then use your Oxy/Acet torch to burn out the oil before you weld it, then clean to "white metal" with a new SS wire brush, if it can be welded. Depends on if it's a true cast aluminium or high in magnesium content. You will also want to use Borax mixed with alcohol to a paste as a flux. Al takes alot of heat so take your time using a low flame as when the weld puddle is ready for filler rod it's hard to tell. The weld puddle skin will start to wrinkle when it's close to adding filler.

Don't let your filler rod out from under the torch flame heat zone or it will oxidize and will need recleaned before it can be added.

This is providing your not looking surface stress "skin" fractures that will not hurt a thing. Most all AL casting has these fractures. These rarely go more than a 1/64" deep.

T_Bone

With Stick or Mig you can entrap the oil pockets with weld metal and as the weld cools it froms pressure from the oil expanding thus causing the cracks. You will notice that the weld puddle will wonder and not be uniform, swril funny, pop or explode.

With Tig, oil will usually bubble with-in the weld puddle making it very difficult to control the weld puddle. You will usually have to stop to clean the weld before continuing.

Alcohol can be used on thin metals to clean the oils. If you take a piece of scrap metal and spread some oil on it then wipe it off you will see what I'm taking about. If you use a torch to clean the oil off mild steel you can watch the oil burn off.

T_Bone