Shopsmith Forums

Now that my headstock and bench are back together, I've been able to hook up the band saw.

Prior to applying power, with the blade off, both upper and lower wheels turn freely and appear to be solid (no play). With a blade on and tensioned, it still moves smoothly.

However, I hooked it up to the headstock and ran it at the slowest speed. There is this awful "squawk" as it ramps up. This is not a continuous squeal, but more like something binding up and then releasing with a screeching metal sound.

This does not occur with the blade off (turning only the lower wheel with the headstock).

Could the upper wheel bearings be just worn enough to do this? If so, what is the best way of replacing the two sets of needle bearings in the upper wheel?

The saw cuts fine, but the squawking is unnerving and isn't a good thing, so I'd like to fix it before doing any serious work.

I would suspect the blade guide bearings as the source of the noise. They are difficult to get oil into. Try more 3in1 on them. Good luck.

Went out to the barn. Put the upper wheel back on. Put a couple of drops of 3-in-1 oil on each of the three bearings (again), tensioned the blade, hooked it up to the headstock and turned it on.

Runs nice and quiet, smooth as silk, the quietest I've ever heard it run. No squawk. I don't get it, but I'm thankful.

Now to change from the 1/4" to the 1/2" blade and see how it does with that.

Next up: put in a window and hole for the tensioning stuff.

fiatben wrote:Next up: put in a window and hole for the tensioning stuff.

I haven't put in a window yet, but I did put a hole for the hex wrench to adjust the tension. It's a huge time saver!

heathicus wrote:I haven't put in a window yet, but I did put a hole for the hex wrench to adjust the tension. It's a huge time saver!

Ditto! 1/8" blade dimension per revolution! i.e. 5/8" blade, crank it 5 revolutions. Ya gotta remember how many up, so ya run it down to '0' the same each time! . . . . .Occasional verification recommended!

Have not 'encountered' suitable window material yet!

fietben, glad the 3-in-1 oil did the trick.

I made my window opening a little over 1 1/2" wide and a little under 3" tall. Used a Dremel Multi-Max to cut the hole...very handy tool, BTW.
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Used same plastic as used on jigsaw window (see other post). I lined the bottom up with the flange of the cover. The window could be a bit smaller, however, I like it!
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