Keeping the craft going: American Metal Customs

American Metal Customs builds, modifies and services epic bikes and cars using a plethora of machines from Baileigh Industrial, including a BSV-24VS-V2 vertical bandsaw. The company’s owner Chris Bishop and lead builder and shop manager Josh Allison team up to exemplify the best in American craftsmanship.

“We love preserving the history of America in that hot-rod culture and the motorcycle culture that created what we do now, especially as builders,” explains Allison, who has become a social media star in the world of elite custom bikes.

“Working with Josh is always a fun ride and Baileigh is amazing in terms of helping him do his craft; helping him do it easier and better,” says Bishop. “They understandthat we want to build things the American way, with craftsmanship and with attention to detail. With Baileigh’s help and Josh’s skill, we take it to the next level.”

Allison is full of praise for the BaileighBSV-24VS-V2 vertical bandsaw, stating: “We have so many different features…we have this variable speed controller so you can set it for whatever blade we have in there; for whatever material we’re cutting. Everybody’s on this machine almost every single day.” Plus, Allison adds with a twinkle, “I won’t lie: people cut things they’re not supposed to and it and it still does its job.”

The BSV-24VS-V2 is the largest non-mitring vertical bandsaw in the Baileigh line up. The cast iron table can pivot left to right, while inverter-controlled variable speeds from 26 to 670 m/min allowusers to adjust the speed for cutting metal, plastic and wood. The DRO lets operators see the blade speed during cut.
For further information www.baileigh.com

Vollmer creates 15th subsidiary in Thailand

In the Thai capital of Bangkok, saw blade sharpening specialist Vollmer has opened its 15th subsidiary under the name Vollmer Asia Pacific. The facility will serve the Southeast Asian region, primarily customers from Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippines.

“With the founding of Vollmer Asia Pacific, we now have 15 subsidiaries worldwide and are consolidating our position as a leader in technology in the East Asian region,” says Jürgen Hauger, CEO of the Vollmer Group. “By being in closer proximity to our customers, we will be able to provide them with even more comprehensive support and even greater expertise.”

Vollmer has its headquarters in Biberach an der Riss, Germany, and has been operating in the Asian market for decades. The company opened its first Asian branch in Japan in 2000, followed by offices in China, South Korea and India.

Vollmer has been present in Thailand since 2017 through a representative office, so this dedicated subsidiary constitutes another company milestone in Southeast Asia. With a team of seven employees and the support of dealers based in the region,Andreas Weidenauer will manage the subsidiary. Weidenauer wasalready running the representative office and has more than 30 years of experience in the sector.

The market for German engineering has continued to grow in Asia. According to Vollmer, demand for its grinding machines for carbide-tipped circular saws is rising constantly in both the metalworking and woodworking industries.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com

New dealer for Kaltenbach in Benelux

The continuity of circular sawing machines is of great importance to Kaltenbach. From now on, maintenance, repair and refurbishment of machines is guaranteed thanks to co-operation with new dealer TM-ToolsBV, headquartered in Wateringen, Netherlands.

TM-Tools is nowthe official sales and service partner for Kaltenbach’s USM products (circular saws) inthe Benelux region (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg). The company has many years of experience in the maintenance of saws and has established a familiar and reputable name within the market. It was founded in 2018 from a passion for technology, maintenance and the repair of machines. With more than 18 years of experience, TM-Tools says it always knows how to find a suitable solution.

The company reports that its specialists have the right training and qualifications, and work very professionally when performing machine maintenance. TM-Tools will discuss and resolve any problems that become visible during maintenance, but which customers had not yet identified. The company works with high-quality tools and provides up-to-date knowledge in the field of technology and innovation.

The Kaltenbach USM programme comprises a wide range of universal mitre saws. Ranging from fully-automatic systems to semi-automatic all-rounders, includingspecially designed saws for aluminium and aluminium alloys.

According to Kaltenbach, with the company’s circular saws, customers can reduce cutting times in steel or aluminium processing while ensuring high quality. Thanks to optimal material clamping, infinitely variable feed rates and heavy machine construction, users will achieve a high-quality cutting surface. Furthermore, automatic cycle control for clamping/sawing/opening the vice significantly reduces non-productive times.

TM-Tools and Kaltenbach are very happy with the new collaboration. Together, the companies are able to ensure that Kaltenbach machines function in an optimal way.
For further information www.kaltenbach.com

New reciprocating saw blade technology

Lenox, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and specialist in power tool accessories, is introducing its new Wave Edge reciprocating saw blade technology, a new tooth form design delivering up to 50% longer blade life in select models.

“We are committed to developing innovative products and designs such as Wave Edge for customers who expect superior-performing tools and accessories,” says Matt Savarino, director of product management at Lenox. “After connecting with our customers, we created a product design that helps deliver a longer blade life for peak on-the-job performance.”

In addition to launching the new Wave Edge design, Lenox also introduced four new application-based reciprocating saw blade sub-brands: MetalWolf for making quick cuts through a range of metal types and gauges; MultiWolf for making quick, clean cuts in metal, wood and plastic; DemoWolf for rigorous demolition applications; and LumberWolf for cutting through dense wood with nails.

Lenox Wave Edge technology features across all models of MultiWolf and select MetalWolf and DemoWolf models. Additionally, Lenox Rapid Pling technology is being extended to select LumberWolf and DemoWolf reciprocating saw blades. Rapid Plunge allows users to plunge cut with ease and speed due to the unique design of the blade tips.

Lenox Wave Edge and Rapid Plunge products are now available in stores and online where Lenox products are sold.
For further information www.lenoxtools.com

Material handling solutions from Prosaw

When it comes to sawing, often the slowest part is actually loading and unloading the machine with stock lengths and cut pieces of material. With this thought in mind, Prosaw offers the following as a guide to selecting the optimal material handling solution, focusing on stillage arms, cross transfers and powered conveyors.

The addition of fabrication side stillage arms to an infeed conveyor will hold additional stock lengths to allow easy loading of a machine by its operator. From small sections through to large, heavy solid bars, introducing stillage arms means the machine can run for longer periods, avoiding the waiting time for a crane or forklift truck to load the machine.

A more powerful and automated solution is the cross transfer. This can be either of lift and carry configuration (lift the piece of material and carry it forward to the infeed conveyor) or the lower cost option of a drag system, which drags or pulls the material across nylon slide-ways and on to the conveyor.

The use of powered conveyors will take the hard work out of moving heavy material around the workshop. Conveyors designed and built by Prosaw use either tubular or, for heavier applications, solid rollers with bearing blocks. Heavy-duty chain and sprockets with variable speed motors provide easy positioning of material at the saw.

After sawing any material, often the bottleneck is the output side of the machine. One solution is again cross transfers, working in reverse as described previously. Another solution for round materials is a full-length pusher, which acts as a sweeper arm to roll the workpiece clear of the output conveyor. For rectangular and square material, an output table that tips or inclines by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder works well.
For further information www.prosaw.co.uk