Shopsmith Forums

Hi All, very first post to the forums here. I just acquired a Mk V, 1983 model with a jointer and bandsaw and am slowly going through the whole machine to see what kind of condition it's in. So this is the first of probably many questions I'll have...

The bandsaw appears to have never been used (it was still in the original box). However, someone mounted a blade on the bandsaw "way back when" and left it, with the result being that the tires are a bit "deformed" after 25 years - the rubber is compressed where the saw has been resting and visibly thicker where it hasn't, so when I run the saw, there's an audible "wop wop wop" as the wheels go around and I can see the saw blade jumping around.

I'm guessing this is not something I want to ignore, even though the saw seems to run fine (save for the blade jumping around).

What's the best course of action? New tires?

Thanks

-Marty

Thanks, I'll give the tires a shot of silicone and see what happens...

If that doesn't work out, you can buy a new set of tires here:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/bandsawtire.htm

I've never had the "pleasure" of having to get the old tires off in order to replace them but a recent thread provides some insight into ways to do this:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11478

dgale wrote: I've never had the "pleasure" of having to get the old tires off in order to replace them but a recent thread provides some insight into ways to do this:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11478

Yep; Just finished removing the rubber from the second wheel. I managed to do it all with a utility knife by going around the wheel first to remove most of the rubber. Then go around the wheels twice more and scrap the residue off by using the knife like one of those razor bladed glass scrappers. Use caution because your fingers are very close to the knife blade. A cut proof glove is a good idea.

Added later. Clamp the wheels in a wooden jawed vise like a woodworkers vise.

It took about 1 hour to do each wheel.

I think you have a case of a stressed tires. It had been compressed for a long time. Replace it with new ones so you can attain your band saw’s maximum efficiency.

steamfab wrote:I think you have a case of a stressed tires. It had been compressed for a long time. Replace it with new ones so you can attain your band saw’s maximum efficiency.

Geez, is that all it takes?:D

"However, someone mounted a blade on the bandsaw "way back when" and left it, with the result being that the tires are a bit "deformed" after 25 years - the rubber is compressed where the saw has been resting and visibly thicker where it hasn't, so when I run the saw, there's an audible "wop wop wop" as the wheels go around and I can see the saw blade jumping around."


---When I am not using the saw, I always release the tension the blade.Check the rubber tires to make sure they are not deformed. Perhaps, the tires are likely well worn out there. Try checking the blade tension, under/over tension can cause blade not to track properly . But it's more likely we need to change the tires , I recommend you to use urethane tires rather than rubber tires.Urethane lasts longer and doesn't need gluing . When you purchase a new tire, make sure that it is a couple of inches smaller than the wheel to stretch the tire.
Check this BLOG.This can help you in replacing the tires.

I had a similar situation - an older bandsaw with an unknown history and, to compound problems, I was very bad about releasing the tension on the blade. And goodness knows how good the original owner was. But the bandsaw, with the original blade, worked fine so I went happily on my way.

Until I tried another (narrower) blade. The darned blade(s) just would not stay on the wheels. Oh, well, a good excuse to go over it - cleaning, aligning, putting new tires on it - the whole 9 yards.

Bottom line: alignment ok. Wheels, axles, etc ok. The old tires - not ok. Replaced the tires with new 'red' ones (a bit of a job, by the way) and problem all solved.

You can be sure that I now make darned well sure that I back off the tension when I shut down for the day. I think my old tires just had gotten a 'groove' or a set or whatever (or maybe just lost their flexibility) so any blade other than the original just would not center itself and stay put.

So my recommendation is to clean, align and, by all means, upgrade and replace those old tires. And don't forget to back off the tension when done!

This is the first time I have seen someone recommend backing off the tension when done. Is this common?