Shopsmith Forums

Hi friends. I am overhauling a new-to-me bandsaw. Maybe circa 1980s. The repairs are going well, but I found before I took it apart that the table did not tilt easily. Even after taking it apart, the back right trunion sticks. There is a rubber washer on this side and I wonder if it is too tight, binding the metal. (Red circle on the picture) I can't figure out out to take it off. There is a large flathead bolt on the left side that is very tight. Any advice?

Many thanks,
Karl

Mine does not have rubber washers??? Flat washers only.

kas20amc02,

Your Bandsaw is a 1990's or later one. Check the sticker for the date code as to when it was made. The sticker will look similar to the one below which was made Feb. 14, 1990. This is not that important for the problem you are having but is sometimes good to know when a tool was made.

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Your Bandsaw came with the Aluminum Table from the factory. The tilt lock parts are a bit different from the Cast Iron Table Bandsaws the preceded it. The area you circled is the fixed part of the trunnion assembly as it is mounted to the Main Frame (back) of the Bandsaw. It will need to be loosened just a bit to keep it from binding. Try getting a Socket Wrench over the nut to help loosen it while keeping the bolt held in position. The other bolt with the handle locks the table angle.

What Dusty is describing is from a Cast Iron Table Trunnion and hardware that does not have those rubber parts. For anyone wondering below is the Trunnion Mounting hardware for the Aluminum Table. There are 2 bushings in the upper left corner between the locking bolt hardware and Trunnions that slip into the Main Frame. On an original Cast Iron Table Bandsaw the bushings are pressed into the Main Frame and are a bit different.

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Below is the Trunnion Mounting Hardware for the Cast Iron Table. This hardware works with the Aluminum Table when upgrading from the CI Table.

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I got to work on it for an hour or two after I put my kids to bed.

The bolt that went through the bushing and into the black plastic trunnion part looks like it was severely overtightened by the last owner(s). The plastic piece that holds the nut was really beat up and no longer held the nut in place when turning the flathead. I chopped it up pretty good with a Dremel and was able to get a hold of the nut with a socket set and turn the bolt (with great effort). The altitude bearings are also a little bent-again, likely due to the previous overtightening and perhaps my efforts to get it taken apart. They also have a good bit of rust and pitting. I may try to sand and wax them a little. I don’t know if I can straighten them, but the curve is not terrible and may improve when mounted back to the frame. There were some burrs where the altitude bearings mount on the frame. That defintely was not me but smoothed easily with 220 grit.

Lastly, I found the manufacturing stamp. 1995. The tires were definitely original and dry rotted! I peeled them off and removed the glue residue as gently as I could. No more glue for me!!!

ps: The black plastic piece is officially a "trunion support." Part #515013. $8. The trunions themselves are $25 each and #502675. I will re-use what I have as I am trying not to sink a ton of money into it.