Shopsmith Forums

jpg40504 wrote: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.

CAUTION

You might not want to participate in this "less than perfectly safe act" but there is a relatively simple way to determine if any one bearing or bearing set is the source of an unwanted squeal.

WITH THE COVER OFF and THE BANDSAW RUNNING

I use a small piece of thin scrap wood or a small dowel and hold each of the bearings (one at a time) so that it cannot spin or spins very slowly. If a bearing that you are holding is the source of the squeal you will know immediately.

You might eliminate or reduce the noise momentarily by soaking the bearing in oil but it will be very momentary. Adjust - you will have to either part with a few bucks or listen to the squeal. Your choice.

Some have said that an investment in higher quality bearings will reduce the frequency of this exercise but I haven't done that yet. Furthermore, no one has recommended specific bearings (part numbers) to substitute with.

Dusty,
This is what I use. If you get up this way I will be happy to give you a hand.
ldh

Dusty:

I have been following this thread for a while and so far, I want to know besides the noise problem, have you discovered the answer to your original question of why the posterior part of the blade is moving away from the bearing in question is as shown in your original photo's.

I have owned my SS for ten years and have never had any bearing or other problems what so ever. It continues to function as brand new. I'm simply amazed you have had to change bearings so often and somehow question that perhaps are you overly sensitive to every little noise it makes. I'm simply questioning that with continued adjustments and dissassembly that you have actually set up some problems to occur. Believe me, I am not questioning your ability with the SS or its accessories as I have read most everything you have contributed to this forum and believe that you are a perfectionist.

The only thing I have done to my SSBS is to install ceramic blocks as recommended by another member which was a wize decision. Somehow, if that blade is tracking correctly and seems to be a relatively new blade then it perhaps the blade itself which was not welded exactly in a straight linie to cause it to flop away from the bearing. I don't understand why it has to be running to demonstrate this vs. spinning by hand.

Please let us know continued developments on this issue. I wish I was in a better position to offer some kind of suggestion.

Arno

dusty wrote:CAUTION

You might not want to participate in this "less than perfectly safe act" but there is a relatively simple way to determine if any one bearing or bearing set is the source of an unwanted squeal.

WITH THE COVER OFF and THE BANDSAW RUNNING

I use a small piece of thin scrap wood or a small dowel and hold each of the bearings (one at a time) so that it cannot spin or spins very slowly. If a bearing that you are holding is the source of the squeal you will know immediately.

You might eliminate or reduce the noise momentarily by soaking the bearing in oil but it will be very momentary. Adjust - you will have to either part with a few bucks or listen to the squeal. Your choice.

Some have said that an investment in higher quality bearings will reduce the frequency of this exercise but I haven't done that yet. Furthermore, no one has recommended specific bearings (part numbers) to substitute with.

Already done that, no joy! Am suspicious of upper wheel bearing, but cannot isolate it as the source. It MAY be the lower, but it seems to appear ok(statically). Lubing it makes NO difference.

I've had 3 Shopsmith bandsaws starting back when the bushing were brass.. No bearings.. Yes there was a noise when running but was considered normal for the saw back then.. Sold the MK-V and all,,,,l back in the earily 80's due to military transfer overseas.. Earily 90's bought a new set-up with newer bandsaw.. Had the new bearings and all.. No squeels till the wife started some heavey usage.. Worked with Shopsmith tech support till we were all blue in the face. shopsmith even sent me new bearings at no cost in an effort to repair.. Still squeeled.. Finally Shopsmith had me to send them the saw at there cost completely. They replaced the bearings again, check the wheels and sent it back to me.. Conclusion, No Squeel (for awhile). Ended up selling that saw and bought a JET..

Fast forward to now.. Jet was also sold and was after giving the Shopsmith Band saw another try.. Ordered a new BS from Shopsmith but after 2.5 months of backorder waiting I canceled it bought a used one.. Yes it had the same squeel.. and I found it to be the double bearings that keep the blade tracking. The manual tells you how to set these bearings up for proper tracking and keeping the blade in the crease between the bearings but makes no mention on the "right angle" settings to the back of the blade! Hence, exact 90 degree.. I found out that once the bearings are in exact parallel with the blade... Blade rides between the bearings... There is still a squeel... "off and on moaning sound" NOW make sure the bearings are at an exact 90* with the blade... NO MORE MOANING!

ldh wrote:Dusty,
This is what I use. If you get up this way I will be happy to give you a hand.
ldh

This looks interesting because the back-up bearings are double thus there is a track for the blade to fall into.

Are the bearings also in McMasters. Guess I can look, huh.

doug45601 wrote:I've had 3 Shopsmith bandsaws starting back when the bushing were brass.. No bearings.. Yes there was a noise when running but was considered normal for the saw back then.. Sold the MK-V and all,,,,l back in the earily 80's due to military transfer overseas.. Earily 90's bought a new set-up with newer bandsaw.. Had the new bearings and all.. No squeels till the wife started some heavey usage.. Worked with Shopsmith tech support till we were all blue in the face. shopsmith even sent me new bearings at no cost in an effort to repair.. Still squeeled.. Finally Shopsmith had me to send them the saw at there cost completely. They replaced the bearings again, check the wheels and sent it back to me.. Conclusion, No Squeel (for awhile). Ended up selling that saw and bought a JET..

Fast forward to now.. Jet was also sold and was after giving the Shopsmith Band saw another try.. Ordered a new BS from Shopsmith but after 2.5 months of backorder waiting I canceled it bought a used one.. Yes it had the same squeel.. and I found it to be the double bearings that keep the blade tracking. The manual tells you how to set these bearings up for proper tracking and keeping the blade in the crease between the bearings but makes no mention on the "right angle" settings to the back of the blade! Hence, exact 90 degree.. I found out that once the bearings are in exact parallel with the blade... Blade rides between the bearings... There is still a squeel... "off and on moaning sound" NOW make sure the bearings are at an exact 90* with the blade... NO MORE MOANING!

If I read this correctly, you have identified two distinct sounds that are the result of abnormalties. Squealing and moaning. Is this correct?

BTW I think I can relate.

dusty wrote:This looks interesting because the back-up bearings are double thus there is a track for the blade to fall into.

Are the bearings also in McMasters. Guess I can look, huh.

I gave up on the Shopsmith provided bandsaw bearings a couple years ago. I have gone back to using the old roller bushings for customers. I have started using 2 627Z C3 bearings at each of the 3 bearing locations in the bandsaw on the last few bandsaws I did for myself. I had to file a slight notch in the upper and lower guide brackets for clearence but have not have any noise problems in the past year. The bandsaw blade tracks in the center of all 3 sets of bearings. I am waiting on a set of ceramic thrust bushings/washers to try in place of the bearings and will offer them for sale if they work for me.

Since I cut everything but wood with my bandsaw, I have operated for years without the cover and make sure to stand in front of it. When I do knock the saw blade off the wheels, it does not damage anything and remains in whatever I am cutting most of the time.

dusty wrote:This looks interesting because the back-up bearings are double thus there is a track for the blade to fall into.

Are the bearings also in McMasters. Guess I can look, huh.

Dusty,
I use Bob Hill ....... Bearing Bargains on e-bay. I have found the premium bearings that he carries work well. McMasters & Carr are great for many things, but not their price on bearings. I think you would be pleased with the double bearing setup. My SS saws circles around my Delta until I need to resaw some 12" material.
ldh

DEF: Squeeling and moaning... some of the same sounds my saw used to make.

Sometimes you can't see the forest for all the tree's. The double bearings used for blade tracking (if not exact at 90*) are going to make the old vibrating bearing moan (squeeling if you like).. Oil and lube will work for a short while but won't cure the problem.. New bearings will work for awhile but won't cure the problem.. Reworking the problem by Shopsmith will work for awhile but won't cure the problem.

In fact there can be more then one issue at a time to correct but once you know the bearing are all new then the only issue then has to be alignment on the tracking bearings, Vertical and at 90*,,

My saw, used runs quiet and smoothly. and I use the cheapo olsen blades.