Shopsmith bandsaw problem

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:04 pm

Hello!

I have owned my Shopsmith bandsaw for 10 or 12 years now. From day one I always thought it was noisy but it was my first bandsaw so I had nothing to compare it to. Fast forward to about a year ago. I got to see a Shopsmith demo. The saw the demo person was using ran as smooth as silk. I had a chance to use my Bandsaw tonight and got to take another look. I THINK the upper wheel bearing is the source of the noise. It will run smooth for a few seconds then make noise. Kinda like a ghost in trouble. LOL!!!
The upper wheel also kinda bounces and makes the whole saw shake. Is this the bearing? or a blade tension problem?

My questions

- How can I be sure it is the upper wheel bearing?

- Can just the bearing be replaced? The upper wheel /tire is like new. I bet the saw does not have more than an hour of time on it in 10 years.

-What other info should I know.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:17 pm

Cinci:

It's a little known fact that the upper bearing on the bandsaw needs to be regreased occasionally. This is a small needle roller bearing. I take a small amount of teflon grease and put it on the rollers with my finger.

The upper wheel is held in place with a snap ring clip. Some older bandsaws, like mine, had a wire ring retainer that is usually destroyed in order to remove the wheel. Purchase a new snap ring retainer (517642) and a fiber washer (502704) before you perform this maintenance so as to not suffer downtime.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:00 pm

8iowa wrote:Cinci:

It's a little known fact that the upper bearing on the bandsaw needs to be regreased occasionally. This is a small needle roller bearing. I take a small amount of teflon grease and put it on the rollers with my finger.

The upper wheel is held in place with a snap ring clip. Some older bandsaws, like mine, had a wire ring retainer that is usually destroyed in order to remove the wheel. Purchase a new snap ring retainer (517642) and a fiber washer (502704) before you perform this maintenance so as to not suffer downtime.

Thanks for your message. I did regrease but it was of no help.

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:57 pm

Test your upper and lower wheels to see if they are out of round. Hold a rule or the long 5/32" allen wrench firmly against the frame with the end about 1/32" from the metal rim of each wheel. Turn the wheel slowly by hand. Does the rim remain the same distance from the end of the tool through a complete revolution? Once you've tested the rim, also test the rubber tire in the same way -- is the tire out of round? Do those tests and get back to us. I'll talk to the factory dudes and dudettes -- the results of the test should tell us how to help you repair your machine.

With all good wishes,

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:57 pm

I have the same "squealing" problem, but no excessive vibration. My bandsaw sat in the box for most of two years before I finally unpacked it, though, so maybe that's a clue?

I think I remember Rick telling us at a TA that the upper wheel bearing can just be lubed with a couple of drops of the same oil that you use to oil the sheaves. Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Is that a bad thing?

Gary

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:32 pm

Nick wrote:Test your upper and lower wheels to see if they are out of round. Hold a rule or the long 5/32" allen wrench firmly against the frame with the end about 1/32" from the metal rim of each wheel. Turn the wheel slowly by hand. Does the rim remain the same distance from the end of the tool through a complete revolution? Once you've tested the rim, also test the rubber tire in the same way -- is the tire out of round? Do those tests and get back to us. I'll talk to the factory dudes and dudettes -- the results of the test should tell us how to help you repair your machine.

With all good wishes,

Thanks Nick

I did the test on the wheels and everything seems ok. I did have sawdust on the tires and cleaned it off. The vibration is nothing major. The noise is definitely and issue.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:23 pm

I know Shopsmith sells a backup roller replacement bearings that go behind the blade, also Carter sells bearings to replace the guide blocks. Are your guide blocks steel?

From Shopsmith.com
If the back up roller son your older model SHopsmith Bandsaw are worn or driving you nuts with their incessant squealing, here's your solution.
555074
Bandsaw Back-Up Roller Retro-fit Kit

rubberneck · Post by **rubberneck** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:30 pm

Mine squeals so bad I wear ear muff's! I don't have any wheel movement though. I have replaced the upper wheel and bearing, retro fit ballbearings kit, Bandsaw Back-Up Roller Retro-fit Kit and cool blocks. The only thing that shuts it up for me is a squirt of pam on both sides of the blade while its running. ...Bill...

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 4:33 pm

About a year ago, a gentleman came into Shopsmith with a band saw with the very same complaint you have, minus the "bouncing." In fact, he even told a similar story -- his bandsaw had always made a lot of noise, then he attended one of our traveling academies and was surprised at how smoothly and quietly the instructor's machine ran. He presumed that his had bad bearings.

It wasn't that at all. After checking the wheels and tires to make sure everything was running true, we showed him how to align the blade rollers. Sent him on his way with a smooth-running machine and a bill for $0.

If you've got a manual, look up "Adjusting the Blade Rollers." Start with the auto-track roller, then the lower blade guide roller, then the upper blade guide roller in that order. If you'r missing the manual, I'll be glad to post the procedure here. Once the rollers are properly aligned, the machine will be much, much quieter.

With all good wishes,

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:47 pm

Can you isolate the source of the unwanted noise? (Probably a stupid question. If you could you would have.)

Back off all of the guide bearings so that none of them are touching the blade. Don't cut anything in this configuration. Pull the cool blocks back so that they are not touching the blade.

Turn the BS on. Is it any quieter?

YES (at least one guide bearing), NO (Upper or Lower Wheel Bearing or Both)

Loosen the tension and take the blade off.

Turn the BS on. Is it any quieter?

NO (Lower Bearing), YES (Upper Bearing) Grease Upper Bearing and start over. Oil might work real short term but these are needle bearings. They should really be greased.

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