Bandsaw Bearings

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:10 am

[quote="JPG40504"]The dual bearings at the blade guides are more functional with larger blades.

They will not keep the entire blade from moving sideways(in/out).

True they are not a ss option. That idea originated elsewhere and was implemented by many who frequent here.

If you are using cool blocks tight against the sides of the blade, the dual bearing probably is not much of an improvement.[/quote]

I have the cool blocks set very close but NOT tight against the blade. I use a .003" feeler gauge to position cool blocks.

You won't read this anywhere other than here. My procedure not Shopsmith's.

fgrule · Post by **fgrule** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:50 am

Another question for those who have done a dual bearing upgrade: Is it advisable to use a thin shim between the 2 bearings? Or does it depend on the bearings themselves (do some pairs have too small a gap for the blade to engage?).

How deep does the blade sit between the 2 bearings?

Thanks,
Fred

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:02 am

fgrule wrote:Another question for those who have done a dual bearing upgrade: Is it advisable to use a thin shim between the 2 bearings? Or does it depend on the bearings themselves (do some pairs have too small a gap for the blade to engage?).

How deep does the blade sit between the 2 bearings?

Thanks,
Fred

Remember that the original design has no gap at all. The bearings function is to limit how far back the blade moves.

I have not used a shim and see no need for one. I would not want the blade down deep between the bearings at all. Just so that the spline of the blade touches the bearing.

PS: With your persuasion I did a search and found this from Bill Mayo:

"Thanks. I use the auto-track 2 bearings and bolt for both the upper and lower bandsaw guide bearings. I use 6 ABEC3 rated bearings instead of the motor rated bearings that came with the bandsaw. I have been using a thin shim between the bearings to hekp keep the blade tracking between the 2 bearings. It works very much like the Cater Stablizer for a much cheaper price. "

Still another quote from Bill:

Shopsmith Bandsaw Bearings I have been using 2 higher quality 627Z bearings at all 3 bandsaw bearing/bushing locations for customers. I had to use a very thin shim on the inside bearing on the upper and lower blade guide locations and file a small notch on the blade guides for the outside bearings to clear. I used the 514008 shoulder screw in all 3 locations.

fgrule · Post by **fgrule** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:09 am

dusty wrote:Remember that the original design has no gap at all. The bearings function is to limit how far back the blade moves.

I have not used a shim and see no need for one. I would not want the blade down deep between the bearings at all. Just so that the spline of the blade touches the bearing.

I had seen mention of a shim (Bill Mayo, I think). I'm sure all bearings are not the same....some may fit tightly, with little gap, others more gap.So the setup is doubtlessly a case by case thing.

I can see how having the blade too deep between the bearings would be problematic!

I'm guessing that the blade size (thickness at the back) will also affect how deeply the blade in the "groove" between adjacent bearings.

Fred

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:54 am

This is for the what it's worth department
VXB has the blade backup bearings on their website.
It is kit # 12217 and they are designated as an LR50/7NPPU.
They are a double row bearing so they are more than a single row bearing.
Bill V

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:09 pm

dusty wrote:Remember that the original design has no gap at all. The bearings function is to limit how far back the blade moves.

I have not used a shim and see no need for one. I would not want the blade down deep between the bearings at all. Just so that the spline of the blade touches the bearing.

PS: With your persuasion I did a search and found this from Bill Mayo:

"Thanks. I use the auto-track 2 bearings and bolt for both the upper and lower bandsaw guide bearings. I use 6 ABEC3 rated bearings instead of the motor rated bearings that came with the bandsaw. I have been using a thin shim between the bearings to help keep the blade tracking between the 2 bearings. It works very much like the Carter Stablizer for a much cheaper price. "

Still another quote from Bill:

Shopsmith Bandsaw Bearings I have been using 2 higher quality 627Z bearings at all 3 bandsaw bearing/bushing locations for customers. I had to use a very thin shim on the inside bearing on the upper and lower blade guide locations and file a small notch on the blade guides for the outside bearings to clear. I used the 514008 shoulder screw in all 3 locations.

I used a thin shim/washer, from the older bushing. I this if I was going to be cutting circles with the bandsaw. I am sure anyone can try a different thickness shim/washer if they have similar problem with the blade tracking/staying in between the two autotracking bearings when used as blade guide replacements. The additional shim/washer is an optional method I have used but not required. Also, I use the free Shopsmith sharpening stone to round the back edge of the blade to better seat between the 2 bearings.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 1:31 pm

wa2crk wrote:This is for the what it's worth department
VXB has the blade backup bearings on their website.
It is kit # 12217 and they are designated as an LR50/7NPPU.
They are a double row bearing so they are more than a single row bearing.
Bill V

Bumping this Info up, so people can see this VXB part-number. I've been using these on my bandsaw lately, and I like their quietness to date. These are rubber-shielded rather than metal-shielded.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 5:09 pm

nuhobby wrote:Bumping this Info up, so people can see this VXB part-number. I've been using these on my bandsaw lately, and I like their quietness to date. These are rubber-shielded rather than metal-shielded.

Which bearing position (s) are you using this in. Just one or all three.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:16 pm

Dusty;
Those are the blade backup bearings that go behind the blades. They are double row bearings and they are about the same price that SS charges for them.
Bill V

claimdude · Post by **claimdude** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:27 pm

nuhobby wrote:Bumping this Info up, so people can see this VXB part-number. I've been using these on my bandsaw lately, and I like their quietness to date. These are rubber-shielded rather than metal-shielded.

Chris,

Would these bearings work if I upgrade my BS per the CAD drawings earlier in this tread so that I would have double bearing backing the blade with the blade riding at the intersection between of the two bearings (top guide and bottom guide)?

Thanks
Jack