Bandsaw question

mkecollins · Post by **mkecollins** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:23 pm

I recently acquired a used bandsaw attachment. I ordered 2 blades, 1/4" and 5/8". Both blades will walk towards the back of the upper wheel when turning by hand. I tried running at a low speed, they both almost immediately "walk" towards the back edge of the upper wheel, throw off the tire (kind of like the tension "squeezes" the tire off the wheel) and then slips off the back of the upper wheel, so that it is between the wheel and the bandsaw housing. I held a straightedge against the lower wheel, and the straightedge contacts the lower edge of the upper wheel, but there is about a 1/4" gap at the top edge. I've set the tensioner to the corresponding markings (except there's not a marking for the 5/8", so I set it a little past the 1/2" mark). I assume that one problem might be that the tire needs to be glued down, or possibly replaced. But do I also have an upper wheel problem being non-planar with the lower wheel?

algale · Post by **algale** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:29 pm

The Shopsmith bandsaw is unique in having the autotrack bearing (near the tension gauge), which will prevent the blade from falling off the back of the wheel. In fact, you want the blade to walk toward the back of the wheel, until the autotrack bearing stops it. Edit: Oops, didn't read the whole post. Throwing tires obviously is NOT good.

Do you have the rubber (black) or silicone (orange) tires? The stock tires are rubber and are glued. The orange silicone tires are not glued and there was a problem a few years ago when Shopsmith got a shipment of silicone orange ties that were too big and were being thrown.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 6:55 pm

Welcome to the forum!

Shopsmith bandsaws are "different" as was mentioned.

I think you need to address the tires coming off first as that is bad no matter what else is happening. Providing other information will like wise make it easier for us to address your particular issue.

Pictures are also something we like so if you could provide some pictures you might spot what is going on very quickly.

At some point you will need to do an alignment that will get the saw back to a useable state. We have several posts here that can help you with that when the time comes.

Keep in mind that shopsmith also has support and it is only a phone call away.

Ed

mkecollins · Post by **mkecollins** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 7:05 pm

Thanks for the fast response. The blade is contacting both do the upper bearings, but is riding on the extreme back edge of the upper wheel. So, I've ordered the basic tune-up kit to replace the tires w/glue, since they definitely are not glued in, they come off very easily. Since the upper wheel tilt is apparently normal, I'll focus on the tires, adjust per the manual and then see where I'm at.

Thanks again for the help.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:08 pm

How fast are you running the bandsaw. Too much speed can cause the tires to stretch and come off the wheels. Bandsaw speed should be about 900 RPM. The wheels are approximately 1 foot in diameter and 3 ft in circumferance so 900 rpm yields about 2700 Feet per minute which should suffice for most bandsaw operations.
Bill V

vaughnsimon · Post by **vaughnsimon** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:18 pm

mkecollins wrote:So, I've ordered the basic tune-up kit to replace the tires w/glue, since they definitely are not glued in, they come off very easily.

Glue? ShopSmith has gone back to recommending glue on the tires?

Can I glue my orange tires on?

Vaughn

algale · Post by **algale** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 9:33 pm

vaughnsimon wrote:Glue? ShopSmith has gone back to recommending glue on the tires?

Can I glue my orange tires on?

Vaughn

Glue is required for the rubber tires. Glue is not recommended for the Shopsmith silicone tires.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Sun Feb 16, 2014 10:56 pm

algale wrote:Glue is required for the rubber tires. Glue is not recommended for the Shopsmith silicone tires.

True, Shopsmith does not recommend glue for the orange tires. However, I had problems a few years ago with these orange tires coming loose on the wheel when the blade got really hot. There is a spray-on glue made for urethane products that I used at that time that was successful in preventing the same tires from coming off later. I switched back to installing the black tires until I used the last ones I had last year. The black tire prices have more than doubled since I last brought them and found I could buy the Blue Max bandsaw tires for just a very little more. I recommend the Blue Max bandsaw tires with a lifetime warranty from an Ebay seller. I have been using the Blue Max bandsaw tires quite successfully for the past year.

magasin11 · Post by **magasin11** » Thu May 01, 2014 1:43 pm

I'm having the same problem. Mine saw, second hand hand blue tires (glued on) but run at "slow" would still throw the upper tire. I purchased the ss black rubber tire with glue (contact cement) but it still throws the tire off the top wheel. I have been through the adjustment series but still throwing the upper tire.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu May 01, 2014 2:46 pm

Define "slow". Does that mean "A" or "B" on the speed dial? Is the wheel canted?