Abstract: For band saw machines, a replaceable surface band wheel is disclosed wherein a helical groove is machined in the peripheral surface of a substantially conventional disk-shaped band wheel of the flanged type to extend from the rear face flange to the non-flanged front face of the band wheel. A wire is wound about the peripheral surface such that the wraps of wire lie in the helical groove and extend radially above the peripheral surface. The wire, so placed, forms an inexpensive replaceable cutting band contact surface. The depth and pitch of the helical groove and the wire size are selected to insure that the wire extends partially above the peripheral surface and to provide space between adjacent wraps of wire so that during cutting operations cutting chips and scale which might otherwise loosen the wire or cause abrasive wear to the band wheel peripheral surface are forced temporarily into the spaces between the wraps of wire.

Abstract: A direct coupled way system for band saw machines wherein a cutting band is trained in tension over spaced upstream and downstream band wheels which are supported by a movable head for moving the cutting band with respect to a work piece held in position in the path of the cutting band by an arrangement of support members. A shoe is slidably connected to the downstream support member, i.e. the support member which lies between the work piece and the downstream band wheel.

Abstract: A vibration resistant band wheel for band saw machines wherein an endless cutting band is customarily trained in tension around the peripheral surfaces of spaced band wheels with the back edge of the cutting band acting against a flange extending radially outward from the rear face of the band wheels and the cutting edge of the cutting band overhanding the non-flanged front face of the band wheels. A tire of resilient material is fitted on the peripheral surface of a band wheel having a disc shaped body such that the resiliant material tire lies between the band wheel flange and the non-flanged front face. A metallic cutting band contact tire is fitted on the peripheral surface of the band wheel over the resilient material tire with one edge of the contact tire adjacent the band wheel flange, thereby providing a metallic contact surface for engaging the cutting band. Retainer plates act to hold the resilient material tire and the contact tire on the peripheral surface of the band wheel.