Band Saw Bearing Noise

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:10 pm

My faithful old bandsaw has just recently begun to give me trouble. The bearings in this beast have always been a bit noisy except right after putting in new ones. Now keep in mind that this bandsaw does not set idle; it gets worked hard.

But today I decided to clean it up and see if I could tell where the noise was coming from. It sounded a bit different than usual.

I pulled the cover off and was watching it to see what I could see that seemed to be related to the changes in noise. These next two images show you what I saw. These were shots taken with the bandsaw running. Notice the blade with respect to the slot between the two bearings.

[ATTACH]3037[/ATTACH]
In the Groove

[ATTACH]3038[/ATTACH]
Out of the Groove

[ATTACH]3039[/ATTACH]
Blade Track on Tire

I have not yet determined why the blade moves in and out of the groove. It is when the blade moves that the unusual noises occur.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:15 pm

Are you SURE the top wheel is aligned the way it should be? In relation to the bottom wheel?

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:18 pm

These were shots taken with the bandsaw running.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:24 pm

BUT he had the TV and radio OFF, Ed.

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:28 pm

Dusty,
Looks like you need some adjustment and alignment of your bandsaw. If you are at the point of needing new bearings take a look at some of the bearing modifications I have made to my saws and check out the use of ceramic guides.
ldh

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:30 pm

I guess that should make me somewhat better...

Ed

beeg wrote:BUT he had the TV and radio OFF, Ed.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:50 pm

beeg wrote:Are you SURE the top wheel is aligned the way it should be? In relation to the bottom wheel?

Why? What do you see that makes you think otherwise?

Remember, the blade tracks differerently on the Shopsmith Bandsaw than on most others. It does not track in the center of the wheel.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:53 pm

ldh wrote:Dusty,
Looks like you need some adjustment and alignment of your bandsaw. If you are at the point of needing new bearings take a look at some of the bearing modifications I have made to my saws and check out the use of ceramic guides.
ldh

Talk to me. What do you see that makes you believe adjustments are needed? Which adjustments?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:54 pm

beeg wrote:Are you SURE the top wheel is aligned the way it should be? In relation to the bottom wheel?

How do you believe the two are suppose to relate to one another. They are NOT coplanar is that is what you are thinking. They are not suppose to be coplanar.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 4:57 pm

reible wrote:These were shots taken with the bandsaw running.

Yes, Ed. With the bandsaw running and the cover removed.

What radio, Beeg. Not in my shop. No coffee either. Please note in other shots that I have also removed the computer.