Shopsmith Forums

charlese wrote:Hi Dusty! The only reason I can think of that would cause the blade to go sideways on that bearing is a crinked blade or one with a pretty severe bend. This should be a pretty easy thing to check. Just change blades.

I see you have a 1/4" blade on the machine. Try out a wider one and a thinner one to see how they perform.

I was thinking 'BENT' blade. Mark it and see it it jumps at the same point on the belt.

Loosen the blade enough to allow you to turn the upper wheel 1/4 turn.. (don't allow the bottom wheel to turn).. Re-tighten the blade and run the saw again..

doug45601 wrote:Loosen the blade enough to allow you to turn the upper wheel 1/4 turn.. (don't allow the bottom wheel to turn).. Re-tighten the blade and run the saw again..

OK, I'll do that tomorrow. What is the theory here? What if it fixes the problem?

charlese wrote:Hi Dusty! The only reason I can think of that would cause the blade to go sideways on that bearing is a crinked blade or one with a pretty severe bend. This should be a pretty easy thing to check. Just change blades.

I see you have a 1/4" blade on the machine. Try out a wider one and a thinner one to see how they perform.

This is my last 1/4" blade blade. It hasn't been there long. It replaced one that I had used to cut a large amount of aluminum angle for a neighbor. Maybe I should have charged him for the blade change.

I'll do some swaps tomorrow. I have a wider and several real small blades.

I thought about this but very briefly and then never again....because....it's a nearly new blade.

Hi,

I'm staying out of this for the most part except for the note about running the band saw with the cover open... now I know you're fast having to dodge snake strikes and cutting wood at the same time but I'm sure in the manual you will see a big 24pt red message saying to never do that!!!

Second, while I don't have a shopsmith saw I know that if you take the blade off and re-coil it will be very easy to see if you have bent or twisted it... it will show up big time (not that I have ever done that to a blade).

Well that's it for me.

Ed

dusty wrote:This is my last 1/4" blade blade. It hasn't been there long. It replaced one that I had used to cut a large amount of aluminum angle for a neighbor. Maybe I should have charged him for the blade change.

I'll do some swaps tomorrow. I have a wider and several real small blades.

I thought about this but very briefly and then never again....because....it's a nearly new blade.

reible wrote:Hi,

I'm staying out of this for the most part except for the note about running the band saw with the cover open... now I know you're fast having to dodge snake strikes and cutting wood at the same time but I'm sure in the manual you will see a big 24pt red message saying to never do that!!!

Ed

Yes, Ed, I recognize the hazard involved in doing that and I would not normally challenge fate that way. I've had blades come off and I have blades come apart so I do recognize the potential.

But I could not see what was happening with the cover on and it does not do it so as to be seen when hand cranking the wheel.

Hi,

I've never tried this with a blade on but when I clean my upper wheel I take a sanding drum (1-1/2" dia) minus the sandpaper so it is rubber to rubber and use a drill to spin the wheel... On the bottom I use the motor.

I guess on the shopsmith at least you can dial down the speed to slow.... can't do that with mine. I sometimes think I'd like to have the shopsmith just for the speed thing.... but you know I see a lot of post related to band saws not working or not working well here and at the other shopsmith sites... that makes me worry.

In fact, a little off subject but... if I were thinking about getting a shopsmith and came here to read what is posted I think I might think these machines are always having problems, people are always adjusting them or trying to... Only a few people use them for woodworking.... OK enough of that for today.

Ed

dusty wrote:Yes, Ed, I recognize the hazard involved in doing that and I would not normally challenge fate that way. I've had blades come off and I have blades come apart so I do recognize the potential.

But I could not see what was happening with the cover on and it does not do it so as to be seen when hand cranking the wheel.

reible wrote:Hi,

I've never tried this with a blade on but when I clean my upper wheel I take a sanding drum (1-1/2" dia) minus the sandpaper so it is rubber to rubber and use a drill to spin the wheel... On the bottom I use the motor.

I guess on the shopsmith at least you can dial down the speed to slow.... can't do that with mine. I sometimes think I'd like to have the shopsmith just for the speed thing.... but you know I see a lot of post related to band saws not working or not working well here and at the other shopsmith sites... that makes me worry.

In fact, a little off subject but... if I were thinking about getting a shopsmith and came here to read what is posted I think I might think these machines are always having problems, people are always adjusting them or trying to... Only a few people use them for woodworking.... OK enough of that for today.

Ed

The follower bearings are definitely a "weak link" in this machine but other than that I have very little trouble with mine. This post represents my only difficulty ever and I use my bandsaw a lot.

The bearings function well in doing what they do - they just develop a squeal far too frequently for my liking. I have replaced complete bearing sets six or seven times. Someone said they spin constantly and thus they fail but that is what bearings do - they spin constantly when in use. Even when squealing, the bandsaw functions properly. The noise can just get overbearing.

BTW I keep all my old bandsaw bearings and use them for other applications. Take a look at my posts on the Incra jig. I incorporate two bearings there that came from the bandsaw.

reible wrote:Hi,

In fact, a little off subject but... if I were thinking about getting a shopsmith and came here to read what is posted I think I might think these machines are always having problems, people are always adjusting them or trying to... Only a few people use them for woodworking.... OK enough of that for today.

Ed

People come to this well of information WHEN they have a problem and seek help. They do not come here and tell everyone 'ALL IS WELL'. What would be the point we already know it is well!:D

I got a BS squeak also. Has been driving me crazy trying to find the source. Yes I run it with the cover off:eek: but DO NOT stick any body parts in it OR in line of possible blade spin off. It comes and goes, and sounds more like a shimmy.??? Nor do I 'operate' it with the cover off.

jpg40504 wrote:...Yes I run it with the cover off:eek: but DO NOT stick any body parts in it OR in line of possible blade spin off. It comes and goes, and sounds more like a shimmy.??? Nor do I 'operate' it with the cover off.

Hi jpg,

We all do things in an "unsafe" manner occasionally. Sometimes it is necessary. We are giving dusty a bad time about it because he has harped about it a lot and it seems to me he has stated somewhere on these forums, that he never does things in an unsafe way, or something like that. Anyway, it is in fun, and dusty is taking it in stride.