Shopsmith Forums

Note that the chemical compatibility charts are based on a 48-hour continuous exposure test. I wouldn't recommend soaking the bandsaw tires in mineral spirits for 48 hours, but occasional wiping with mineral spirits is probably fine. Anything which helps replace plasticizers in the rubber is probably better (silicone, belt conditioner, etc. I bet the stuff you spray on your car dashboard to keep it from cracking would work well also. Haven't tried it, though.)

Gary

swampgator wrote:... I had read and heard that silicone can transfer from the wheel to the blade to the stock. I did not want that so did some research which got me where I am. ...

Maybe it will be of some comfort to you to tell you that silicone has never transfered from my tires to the blade and then to the wood. As said earlier, this has been through years of use and service. Also I can say the inside of my band saw has all had a little over spray of silicone with absolutely no effects on wood.

Woodworking, as with other hobbies is full of myths! Some are passed on - and on and---. We all are left to decide what is factual and do what we think is best!

charlese wrote:Maybe it will be of some comfort to you to tell you that silicone has never transfered from my tires to the blade and then to the wood. As said earlier, this has been through years of use and service. Also I can say the inside of my band saw has all had a little over spray of silicone with absolutely no effects on wood.

Woodworking, as with other hobbies is full of myths! Some are passed on - and on and---. We all are left to decide what is factual and do what we think is best!

Methinks any residue transferred from the blade to the workpiece would be removed during subsequent sanding operation. i.e. it ain't a concern!

Here's a product that will both clean the bandsaw rubber tires and blades, as well as your circular saw blades without soaking. It's Westley's Bleche-Wite Whitewall Cleaner. I've used this stuff for a long a I can remember to clean my circular saw and bandsaw blades. Simply spread some newspaper out on the floor, set your circular saw blade on a block of wood, and spray the Bleche-Wite on the teeth of the blade. Then flip it over and spray the other side. Let it sit for about a minute and wipe off the build-up with a paper towel. If you've really burned on some pitch, you may need a small, stiff brush to remove it. I've not had much of a problem with pitch build-up on bandsaw blades, but applying the Bleche-Wite with an old tooth brush works. For the rubber tires, dip a the brush into some Bleche-Wite and rub it around the tire, and then wipe with the paper towel.

This stuff is caustic (it contains a couple forms of sodium silicate), so wear latex gloves, and don't get it in your eyes!