JPG wrote:Are you calling attention to this statement?
"Take my word for it, the wheels have a larger od at the back than at the 'front'. Yes it is slight!!! They are flat across that slanted face."
If so it refers to the rim thickness that infers a larger od at the back rim.
Yes I was pointing exactly that out. If the lip on the front and back were identical, then standing it on the table as illustrated in the photo, would be (far more) square. Since they are not the same, it tilts.
Some time ago I placed the upper wheel flat on a piece of MDF with a hole I made with a hole saw that allowed the flange the bearing was on to recess into the hole, which placed the back Rim flat on the MDF (or should have).
I also do this with bandsaw blades laid out on MDF. It is amazing the things you find comparing new blades, especially the inexpensive ones, and I cannot imagine the issues that come from welding broken blades back together. Used blades are also a trip at times.
I had accumulated a few of them through the years, and some wheels were warped slightly, perhaps from being left under tension for a long time as was discussed also. As stated, the early manuals made no mention of backing off the blade tension when stored etc.
I did locate several that were flat against the MDF all the way around.
Looking across the wheel from the side, where the tires track (tires had been already removed for replacement), one can see the profile of the surface the tires ride on better.
I wish I had taken pictures back then, and will the next time I take one off (if I can remember to). I am not as disciplined in memory as I once was I fear.
One of the most relevant articles I read was at the
http://shopsmith-tool-hunter.blogspot.c ... d-few.html article, which discusses the differences between a Shopsmith and all the other bandsaws out there with some illustrations.
In it at the end he states "If all these things are in place you should be the proud owner of the best bandsaw on the market today."
I really like mine. I have several and like others tend to leave one set up just for resawing, and use the newer one with the aluminium table for more of the work requiring me to adjust the saw for varying operations.
I really appreciate all the insightful and thoughtful analysis and comments folks have contributed in this thread.
My point in commenting was in confirmation solely to the statement "the wheels have a larger od at the back than at the 'front'", and the picture helps illustrate that especially if the tire was off. They are different. They are supposed to be different.
Everett