Bandsaw bearings

creekrunner · Post by **creekrunner** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 7:46 pm

Trying to get new blade, 5/8" resaw 3/4 tpi, installed. I don't have a manual. Question about setting blade tension (or how to read tension mech.) and back-up bearing seems to be only one roller bearing as opposed to two shown in parts list and upgrade list.

Will post pics. I have a new pc and can't figure out how to shrink the pic's enough to attach them.

David

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:07 pm

David
The blade backup bearings are double row ball bearings and are about as wide as two bearings side to side. The "guide roller" bearing which is near the tension adjustment is in fact two bearings on the bolt. The seam between the two bearings is what guides the blade onto the upper wheel.
http://WWW.VXB.COM has a backup bearing which is only 1 mm difference in the width and should not pose a problem. In order to find the bearing on the website you will have to mike up the bearing and use the search function.
Bill V

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 8:43 pm

Set tension to 1/2 inch. To read the tension gauge, you observe where the red colored part of the gauge disappears. In this pick, the gauge reads 1/8 (ignore the blade which is out of position). [ATTACH]26337[/ATTACH]

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:05 pm

Let me mention that the tension bar should be checked to see that it is correctly aligned. To do this remove the blade and check to see that the red tongue is even with the bottom left side of the silver measuring bracket.

Also, according to Shopsmith the correct tension for a 5/8" blade is 1/2".

creekrunner · Post by **creekrunner** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:43 pm

Thanks for the info guys. I think I got the adjustment now. The bearing however, appears to be wrong.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:28 pm

creekrunner wrote:Thanks for the info guys. I think I got the adjustment now. The bearing however, appears to be wrong.

Please contact me off-line. I have a double bearing package available that works on the early bandsaws with the roller bushings that includes the bolts.

creekrunner · Post by **creekrunner** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:40 pm

CI table? I'm going to order a manual I think.

All blade bearings are single. I'm guessing an older model bandsaw.

Should I replace them while I'm in here?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 10:57 pm

Whoo boy! Where to begin.

All the guide/backup bearings are adjustable. With the older single(wide) bearings the blade needs to track near the center of the bearing outer face. The earlier pix looks like the rear guide bearing is deflecting the blade to the left.

The pix showing the tension, is set to 1/8", not 1/2".

The guide bearings(upper left(rear)) and lower right(beneath table) ONLY positions the blade as it approaches the wheel and controls the lay of the blade on the wheel(in/out). The upper bearing(above) table only comes into play when cutting and serves to backup the blade. The blade should follow a straight line from upper to lower wheel both front and back.

I think your upper rear bearing needs to be moved to the left. The lower right bearing appears correct. The above table bearing is not in any of your pix.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:02 pm

I have corrected the previous post.

creekrunner · Post by **creekrunner** » Mon Sep 29, 2014 11:40 pm

You're so right GG. I left off or incorrectly named the photo of the bearing above the table. Also, I had just slipped the new blade on and hadn't tightened anything up yet. The blade may slip into place where it belongs once I tension it. I just didn't know if these bearing were broken or just an older version.

Will these bearings suffice or replace?

I appreciate opinions and suggestions.

David

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