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Band Saw alignment to Power Pro
Posted: Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:07 pm
by wrmnfzy
I know how to attempt to align the two spindles but I'm looking to see if anyone can share a technique they have used that is easier then trial and error. Taking the Band Saw off adjusting spindles puting it back on, etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:57 pm
by jimthej
wrmnfzy wrote:I know how to attempt to align the two spindles but I'm looking to see if anyone can share a technique they have used that is easier then trial and error. Taking the Band Saw off adjusting spindles puting it back on, etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
Leave the coupler out. Slide the headstock over so the hubs are about 1/4 inch or a little less apart. Loosen the set screws in the mounts and let the bandsaw down onto a 18" chunk of scrap 2 x 4.
Do the horizontal adjustment first. I usually have to twist the mounts with water pump pliers. Use the twist lock to clamp the mounts in the headrest.
Use the 2 x4 to lever the bandsaw into vertical alignment and tighten the set screws. I found it easiest to put a 5/32 Allen wrench into
BOTH setscrews so I don't lose the alignment while hunting for the second socket.
Just what I found works for me.
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 2:20 am
by charlese
jimthej wrote:Leave the coupler out. Slide the headstock over so the hubs are about 1/4 inch or a little less apart. Loosen the set screws in the mounts and let the bandsaw down onto a 18" chunk of scrap 2 x 4.
Do the horizontal adjustment first. I usually have to twist the mounts with water pump pliers. Use the twist lock to clamp the mounts in the headrest.
Use the 2 x4 to lever the bandsaw into vertical alignment and tighten the set screws. I found it easiest to put a 5/32 Allen wrench into BOTH setscrews so I don't lose the alignment while hunting for the second socket.
Just what I found works for me.
Just did mine again today - Same sequence as jimthej. Only difference is I used scrap 3/4', 1/2" and a 1/4" instead of a 2X4. Also used a vice grip (lightly) on the posts - turning the part of the posts inside the bandsaw case.
Alignment
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 3:12 pm
by wrmnfzy
Thanks guys, the wood beats calling my wife out to tighten the allen screws and having to explain the theory of why and how it works...............lol
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 6:16 pm
by dusty
wrmnfzy wrote:I know how to attempt to align the two spindles but I'm looking to see if anyone can share a technique they have used that is easier then trial and error. Taking the Band Saw off adjusting spindles puting it back on, etc.
Any help would be appreciated.
I find that aligning the spindle height of an spt is not so much a matter of technique. It is an issue of strength an agility. Following the tips already provided will solve that issue.
When aligning the spindles vertically has always been when I loss my cool.
I don't do that anymore. Rather than adjust the eccentrics to position the spt shaft, I adjust them to position an inverted Mounting Base (505655) so that it aligns to the vertical line of the spindles.
To do this, you must first do it the hard way so that you can determine where the spindles line up with regard to the inverted mounting base. From then on, iot is a snap.
Pictures, I hope, are worth a thousand words:
[ATTACH]17664[/ATTACH]
Short end of the eccentrics are inserted into the Head Rest. Long end of the spindles are up.
[ATTACH]17665[/ATTACH]
Installing the mounting base onto the spindles forces their "alignment to one another". This spacing will then match the intended spt hole spacing exactly.
[ATTACH]17666[/ATTACH]
Use two flat screw drivers simultaneously to turn (position) the eccentrics. Turning the eccentrics will move the mounting base back and forth - in and ouit
so that you can align the centering marks on the mounting base with the spindles. Once the mounting base has been aligned, lock the
lock handle down on the eccentrics. You are now ready to install the spt and adjust the height.
[ATTACH]17668[/ATTACH]
I am making an alignment jig that will eliminate the need to eye ball spindle alignment. This jig will be used in lieu of the inverted Mounting Base.
NOTE: After your spt has been installed and the height adjusted, you could easily make spacers that would position the spt at the proper height. I do not believe this could be a universally sized spacer. I suspect differences between machines that would foul that plan.
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:32 pm
by algale
dusty wrote:Rather than adjust the eccentrics to position the spt shaft, I adjust them to position an inverted Mounting Base (505655) so that it aligns to the vertical line of the spindles.
Brilliant. Original. Had no idea that there was a slot on (in?) the eccentrics.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:00 pm
by fixit
Dusty,
You have had a stroke! OF GENIUS!!:):D:D:D
What a great idea. I should be so lucky.
Your post is superb and a super example of why this forum is such a good place to come for help with any Shopsmith related problem. There are so many folks just waiting for a chance to help out.
Thanks for your many posts with workshop wisdom. They have saved me (and I'm sure others as well) hours of "pondering" time over the past several years.
Thanks again.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:52 pm
by SDSSmith
dusty wrote:I find that aligning the spindle height of an spt is not so much a matter of technique. It is an issue of strength an agility. Following the tips already provided will solve that issue.
When aligning the spindles vertically has always been when I loss my cool.
I don't do that anymore. Rather than adjust the eccentrics to position the spt shaft, I adjust them to position an inverted Mounting Base (505655) so that it aligns to the vertical line of the spindles.
To do this, you must first do it the hard way so that you can determine where the spindles line up with regard to the inverted mounting base. From then on, iot is a snap.
Pictures, I hope, are worth a thousand words:
[ATTACH]17664[/ATTACH]
Short end of the eccentrics are inserted into the Head Rest. Long end of the spindles are up.
[ATTACH]17665[/ATTACH]
Installing the mounting base onto the spindles forces their "alignment to one another". This spacing will then match the intended spt hole spacing exactly.
[ATTACH]17666[/ATTACH]
Use two flat screw drivers simultaneously to turn (position) the eccentrics. Turning the eccentrics will move the mounting base back and forth - in and ouit so that you can align the centering marks on the mounting base with the spindles. Once the mounting base has been aligned, lock the lock handle down on the eccentrics. You are now ready to install the spt and adjust the height.
[ATTACH]17668[/ATTACH]
I am making an alignment jig that will eliminate the need to eye ball spindle alignment. This jig will be used in lieu of the inverted Mounting Base.
NOTE: After your spt has been installed and the height adjusted, you could easily make spacers that would position the spt at the proper height. I do not believe this could be a universally sized spacer. I suspect differences between machines that would foul that plan.
I guess I am feeling a little dumb....I can see how the base gets the spacing between the mounting tubes correctly. Beyond that, I do not see how it helps to align the SPT. That is unless there is a 'centerline' reference mark on the base that conforms with each of the spt's centerlines. This reference mark would be aligned to the drive hub. Then of course, you will have to eyeball to align to the upper headstock drive shaft.
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:19 pm
by dusty
SDSSmith wrote:I guess I am feeling a little dumb....I can see how the base gets the spacing between the mounting tubes correctly. Beyond that, I do not see how it helps to align the SPT. That is unless there is a 'centerline' reference mark on the base that conforms with each of the spt's centerlines. This reference mark would be aligned to the drive hub. Then of course, you will have to eyeball to align to the upper headstock drive shaft.
I think that that was stated in my post. This procedure must be done once, the hard way, to determine the proper alignment. Once determined, the mounting base needs to be so marked with that center line.
Eye balling the spindle position is not the hard part. Moving the spt to achieve what you have eye balled is. This procedure was intended to eliminate the need to manhandle the spt while making the spindle adjustment.
BTW, there are casting marks near the center of the mounting base but do not use those as the reference point for alignment to the spindle. You have to create your own and I suspect that every spt might be a little different.
NOTE: Don't overlook the fact that the drive spindle moves a little bit when you adjust the
eccentric in the headstock (for belt tension).
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:59 pm
by rpd
Dusty
Are there slots in both ends of the eccentrics? I guess what I am really asking is with the spt in place could the screw drivers be used from underneath to adjust the eccentric tubes?