Band saw blade doesn't ride against backing bearings

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 3:33 pm

[quote="bcone1381"]Randy]

It should contact the lower bearing constantly. The upper guide bearing controls the position as the blade contacts the upper wheel. The lower bearing does the same at the lower wheel. The 'middle' bearing(just above the table) should barely clear the back of the blade when not cutting, and press against the back of the blade when cutting.

The position of the back of ALL size blades should be the same relative to the wheels and bearings.

bcone1381 · Post by **bcone1381** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:32 pm

JPG is right on. The back of my blade rides on the bearing right below the table all the time. As per SS, I adjusted the upper bearing as that it just misses it until a cut is made. I do not think the left bearing (that is positioned between the two wheels) sees too much action.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:02 am

bcone1381 wrote:JPG is right on. The back of my blade rides on the bearing right below the table all the time. As per SS, I adjusted the upper bearing as that it just misses it until a cut is made. I do not think the left bearing (that is positioned between the two wheels) sees too much action.

That bearing should be in full contact with the blade at all times. Notice that it is not adjustable in a manner that would allow you to back the nearing away from the blade. It is positioned there by design.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 6:05 am

bcone1381 wrote:Randy]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac ... ure=relmfu[/URL]

What this presentation shows is probably spot on for a Powermatic. You are working on a Shopsmith. The tracking system works a little bit different.

randyrls · Post by **randyrls** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:19 am

To close out this thread, I finished the tire replacement. The saw blade now rides against the bearings where it should and the saw cuts much better!

While I was at it, I figured that I would clean and adjust everything on the band saw. The table was removed, and everything cleaned. I removed the screw adjusters on the cool block assembly because it was impossible to turn. After cleaning, a quick spot of grease make it a little easier to turn.

Finally, I checked and reset the table for square.

I may still see if I can make the screw adjustment a little looser. I have a copy of the double bearing mod, and I may do that one too.

Thanks to everyone for their help and assistance.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:42 am

randyrls wrote:To close out this thread, I finished the tire replacement. The saw blade now rides against the bearings where it should and the saw cuts much better!

While I was at it, I figured that I would clean and adjust everything on the band saw. The table was removed, and everything cleaned. I removed the screw adjusters on the cool block assembly because it was impossible to turn. After cleaning, a quick spot of grease make it a little easier to turn.

Finally, I checked and reset the table for square.

I may still see if I can make the screw adjustment a little looser. I have a copy of the double bearing mod, and I may do that one too.

Thanks to everyone for their help and assistance.

Good luck with your effort to free up that screw adjustment. I have completely dismantled mine in an attempt to do that. There is a non-adjustable tension in that assembly that is produced by a leaf spring.

I have two bandsaws. One adjusts much more easily than the other and I have not been able to change that.