SS Bandsaw Tires
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SS Bandsaw Tires
This came with a lightly used and not abused Mark VII from the 60s. I got it at Salvation Army 30 years ago. I haven't done much maintenance nor have I used it much; now I'm going through it and doing an incomplete overhaul. It has the original tires. The are neither hard nor brittle but have bumps on them. I don't like what I've read about urethane tires. Are there any that are quality? SS replacements don't even get a 2 out of 5 in reviews. Do I need to replace these? Pictures could be much better but you probably can get a good idea of their condition. Your opinions ladies and gentlemen.
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- JPG
- Platinum Member
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- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
I would 'attempt' to file down the high spots and continue to use them.
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
I had the orange Shopsmith tires and had issues with them. I replaced them with the Blue Max urethane tires on ebay. Those have been trouble free. But if the original rubber tires can be salvaged, I would keep tem.
Gale's Law: The bigger the woodworking project, the less the mistakes show in any photo taken far enough away to show the entire project!
- dusty
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- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
No matter what the tires look like, do you have problems when using the band saw? If yes and the problems can be related to the tires - change them. If No, ...your decision!!. I would leave them alone.
I do clean mine by spinning them (without a blade mounted) using a soft wire (brass) brush.
I do clean mine by spinning them (without a blade mounted) using a soft wire (brass) brush.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
Other than the stains, those original rubber tires actually look pretty good for 30+ years. Mine were very dry rotted after 20+ years, but then I live in a hot, dry climate here which may explain it. Like others, I made the mistake of replacing them with the urethane tires that look red in the web picture but are orange in reality. Those have bad reviews on Shopsmith's website because they are garbage (tired separated from wheel for me). If you choose to replace them with urethane, I would only buy bluemax tires from eBay (just search for Shopsmith and bluemax) and have worked well for me so far. If the original rubber tires can clean up nicely, then keep them as long as possible.
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RF Guy
Mark V 520 (Bought New '98) | 4" jointer | 6" beltsander | 12" planer | bandsaw | router table | speed reducer | univ. tool rest
Porter Cable 12" Compound Miter Saw | Rikon 8" Low Speed Bench Grinder w/CBN wheels | Jessem Clear-Cut TS™ Stock Guides
Festool (Emerald): DF 500 Q | RO 150 FEQ | OF 1400 EQ | TS 55 REQ | CT 26 E
DC3300 | Shopvac w/ClearVue CV06 Mini Cyclone | JDS AirTech 2000 | Sundstrom PAPR | Dylos DC1100 Pro particulate monitor
Mark V 520 (Bought New '98) | 4" jointer | 6" beltsander | 12" planer | bandsaw | router table | speed reducer | univ. tool rest
Porter Cable 12" Compound Miter Saw | Rikon 8" Low Speed Bench Grinder w/CBN wheels | Jessem Clear-Cut TS™ Stock Guides
Festool (Emerald): DF 500 Q | RO 150 FEQ | OF 1400 EQ | TS 55 REQ | CT 26 E
DC3300 | Shopvac w/ClearVue CV06 Mini Cyclone | JDS AirTech 2000 | Sundstrom PAPR | Dylos DC1100 Pro particulate monitor
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
I think they are close to 55 years. The Mk VII and everything that came with it was in excellent condition. Even that plastic cam showed no wear. Those stains are actually small bumps, about the thickness of a fingernail. They are very hard. Can they be sanded down? I don't remember any issues with the saw but haven't used it in over two years.
Thank you all for your insight - very insightful and I think I'll keep the tires as they are.
Thank you all for your insight - very insightful and I think I'll keep the tires as they are.
Re: SS Bandsaw Tires
They are probably just caked on saw dust. A little solvent and gentle scraping with a putty knife or a wire brush should remove it. I am not sure I would try sanding. Maybe as a last resort but don't damage the tires.db5 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 27, 2020 4:33 pm I think they are close to 55 years. The Mk VII and everything that came with it was in excellent condition. Even that plastic cam showed no wear. Those stains are actually small bumps, about the thickness of a fingernail. They are very hard. Can they be sanded down? I don't remember any issues with the saw but haven't used it in over two years.
Thank you all for your insight - very insightful and I think I'll keep the tires as they are.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT