Band Saw TLC

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Sun Apr 19, 2009 9:26 pm

I was fortunate enough to recently acquire a ShopSmith Band Saw. It appears to be in decent working condition, but needs some attention - surface rust, cobwebs, and the typical neglect.

Is there a good Sawdust Session (or other resource) that will walk me through the maintenance process?

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:04 am

It's not widely known that the bearing on the upper wheel needs to be regreased occassionally. However, before performing this task, purchase a new retaining ring (517642), and a fiber washer (502704). My circa '83 bandsaw had some type of wire retaing ring that was impossible to remove without destroying it. the replacement is a snap ring. This is a needle roller bearing. Put a little grease on the rollers and reinstall the wheel.

The tires on the wheels definitely fall into the category of "if it ain't broke - don't fix it). Replacing the tires with the original type rubber using contact cement is a very difficult task. The new urethane tires are an easier installation, but removing the old tires down to the metal is not easy.

If you have the old cast iron table you might consider the new larger aluminum table with the deluxe fence. If you are not quite ready to spring for those $$$, the retro dust chute (300000) and the ball bearing back-up rollers (555074) are well worth the investment.

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:37 am

Thanks for the advice!

I was also able to track down the owner's manual and should now be ready to get things running smooth.

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:17 am

I finished the restoration on my band saw over the weekend and made a few test cuts - what a fine piece of machinery!

So... that's everything but the jointer completely restored.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:57 pm

nebraska wrote:I finished the restoration on my band saw over the weekend and made a few test cuts - what a fine piece of machinery!

So... that's everything but the jointer completely restored.

Where's the pictures?

nebraska · Post by **nebraska** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:16 pm

curiousgeorge wrote:Where's the pictures?

Sorry CG, I didn't take any pics.
But I do have one of the world's best SS restoration helper (my 5-year-old daughter).

She volunteered a lot of elbow geese on that old cast iron band saw table.

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:24 pm

Hey, Chad! With a helper that cute, you can't loose. I will accept that as an excellent substitute for a band saw picture.

I didn't know geese had elbows.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:57 pm

Beautiful photo! You couldn't have ever found a better model than your helper, to pose with your re-conditioned Mark V:D She not only beautifies the foreground - Her love of the machine has already begun! That grin is priceless!