SS 26" scroll saw help ....PLEASE!

[mborgstrom]

I had to replace the "O" ring belt on my SS 26" free standing scroll saw and now I need to know how the counter balance weights should be positioned. I failed to note their positions while trying to get the belt pulley off. I've not been able to find any source for this info so far.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. X-mas is approaching fast!

Thanks,
Mike

[Nick]

Mike, I need to know just how far you disassembled your scrollsaw. Removing the pulley should not have required dissassembly of the gearbox. If you did not disassemble the gearbox, everything should be fine. If you did, you're going to have to wait until Monday when I can talk to Sue (the head of of Repair/Rebuilding) and get the procedure for repositioning the counterweights. In any event, tell me just how many pieces and parts you removed from the patient so I know where to start this operation.

With all good wishes,

[mborgstrom]

Thanks Nick,

I talked to Sue and got the info I needed. Now if I could only find out how long the "O" ring belt is backordered for.
At least I'm ready when it finally arrives. This saw is not user friendly when it comes to belt replacement.

Thanks again,
M

[dusty]

Please don't keep it secret. When you posted your problem, I opened up my scroll saw to see if I could offer any assistance. I learned only that you could have a real problem and have been waiting to hear the solution. Without pulling parts myself, I could see nothing I could offer...thus the silence.

What parts did you remove that didn't need to come out?

Why did you have to open up in the first place? What malfunction occurred to make you think you had to order an O-ring belt?

Is the o-ring belt the drive belt?

And then the real big question - How are you suppose to set the counterweights when you reassemble?

How long do you expect to be on backorder?

What is the SS part number for your scrollsaw? Mine is 555272, manufactured in Nov 19991. When I search on that number, the response is "Item number 555272 was not found".

[mborgstrom]

Dusty,

It's a floor model. (free standing) The symptom was the blade quit moving and the "O" ring belt was now a straight piece of round rubber that measured about 16" long. I ordered the part worth about $1.16. The shipping was $5.99. I added a few other small items to help justify he shipping cost. After waiting 6 days my package finally arrived. Eveything but the drive belt which was back ordered. I called customer service to ask the ETA of the part I really needed. They said they would check for me. They did and called me back telling me that the manufacturer had no idea when the part would be available I decided to get ready for the part and disassembled the needed parts. Because of the design of the saw I needed to remove the top, cover plate, bottom shield, 2 snap rings, 1 spring washer, and several connection parts all to remove the belt pulley from the main shaft which has a gear that meshes with another gear. These 2 shafts have counter weights that reduce the vibration of the saw. If these weights are not matched the saw really shakes. Sue from customer service described them as ice cream cones and told me that need to have the points pointing at each other. (thanks Sue for the quick responce to my e-mail) I have now assembled and disassembled the saw about 6 times while trying to make my own drive belt using screen spline and other items and glue. Believe it or not I am able to cut for a short time before the belt eventually starts spinning enough on the pulley and the saw bogs down. I have tried to find the correct size belt all over to no avail. Being 54 years old I hate to admit defeat! I have been making hand cut and dated X-Mas tree ornaments for friends and family for many years now and hate to think I will be defeated by a $1.16 belt so I just keep watching the doorstep for a delivery that may not be coming.

There you have it! My tale of woe. After all of this the saw might be available for sale in favor of a saw that is more serviceable. I am going to try to make 1 more homemade belt today. Wish me luck! Before you ask... no I can't afford a new saw right now and I don't know of one to borrow. I do have a good coping saw but I'm not sure I have enough time.

Thanks for the chance to vent and have a merry holiday,
Mike

[Ed in Tampa]

Mike
have you tried a large rubber band? Perhaps a slice of an inner tube (car or bike or even a motor cycle).

How about taking your O ring to a pool supply place. I know many many pool filters, pool pumps and fittings use O rings.


Lastly have you tried doing a search for "large O rings" in google?
I just did and I got a mess of hits. Since I don't know the dimensions I can't get more exact.

I also tried searching "O ring drive belts" on Google and again I got a mess of hits. I will guess you can find your needed belt there.

Ed

[dusty]

Dusty,

It's a floor model. (free standing) The symptom was the blade quit moving and the "O" ring belt was now a straight piece of round rubber that measured about 16" long. Mike

I'm with Ed in Tampa, a large o-ring. You describe it as about 16" long. Can you tell if there are any parts missing from the broken o-ring]http://www.allorings.com/size_cross_ref ... framed.htm[/url] or http://www.marcorubber.com/sizingchart.htm

I'd go for AS568A.049. Grainger offers a package of of 10 for 12.09.

I have repaired my wife's Singer Sewing Machine with an o-ring (drive belt) just this way. We bought six of them about ten years ago (just in case) and there are still five spares in the tool box.

Thickness is another critical dimension.

Any o-ring that is close would work for a while - maybe for ever. Try Ace Hardware. Ace never ceases to amaze me.

I repaired my wife's old straight stitch Singer Sewing Machine with an o-ring (drive belt) just this way. We bought six of them about ten years ago (just in case) and there are still five spares in the tool box.

[dusty]

Mike, where are you located? You haven't included that info in your profile.

Maybe you are close to someone who would consider loaning you the use of their scroll saw until you are up and running. I wouldn't be inclined to let you take my scroll saw (I do not loan equipment to anyone) but I'd certainly open my shop for you to come in and use mine.

[mborgstrom]

Thanks guys,

I'll try all of the above and let you know!

[drewa]

If you have access to a Machinist's Handbook there are charts for sizing belts. Your library should have a copy. This is one of those invaluable resources. I am not speaking of the "handy" reference guides at the front counter at Ace Hardware. A machinist's handbook has information that can inform your decisions on many projects. Like this one.

Be good,

Drew