Shopsmith Forums

I just bought a used Shopsmith bandsaw via ebay. It should be here next week.

I'd appreciate any advice/counsel on what to do with it once it gets here (inspection, calibration, setup, etc).

Also, I'd appreciate any advice/stories on the best table setup(s) when using the bandsaw - and how to keep the bandsaw mounted when doing other operations.

Thanks,

Jim

To keep the bandsaw mounted and raise into drill press mode you need the eccentric mounts.

You can search the forum under bandsaw to get the setup question answered.

should have the appropriate manual before starting work. Unfortunately, the procedures and saftey instructions that you really should read BEFORE working on equipment that is new to you are not available on line.

If you do not receive these documents with your bandsaw, they can be purchased direct from Shopsmith.

Read the Safety Procedures. Yes, they all tend to sound alike but often they are not. They are important. Be unusual - be able to say with a straight face to anyone who asks that you have read them all.

Clean and lubricate before you do anywork with your new bandsaw.

The bandsaw can be very noisy, usually due to bad or improperly adjusted or dry bearings.

Check the tires. They should not be checked or cracked and they should not be rock hard. They are not soft by any means but not rock hard.

Do the alignments before you do any work with your new bandsaw. You need the procedure to follow. The procedure is very good. A bit tedious in some areas but good. If you follow them, you'll be fine.

If they don't seem to work - be cautious. There might be something wrong.

Once you have cleaned, lubricated and aligned your new bandsaw - go make sawdust. I believe you will be very pleased.

NOTE: The blade on the Shopsmith bandsaw tends to track a little off center (to the back) on the wheels. To most this does not, at first, look normal but it is.

Spend some time here on the forum. There are many posts regarding your bandsaw. That would be a good way to kill time until your baby arrives.

Welcome.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... tem=841547

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/bandsaw.htm

These are eccentrics that Paul referred to.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... gtubes.htm

PM me if you need custom blades- Right now I have 3/16th and 3/8th stock and will silver braze to specs.mt

Jim:

It has been mentioned previously on this forum, that the upper wheel needle roller bearings need to be regreased occassionally. My suggestion is to "right now" order a new retaining ring (517642) as older band saws have some type of spring steel ring that is usually destroyed in the process of removing the upper wheel.

While you are at it, order the "bandsaw retrofit kit" (555074). This kit replaces the old bronze rollers with ball bearing assembles and will greatly reduce the bandsaw's noise level.

There are other very nice upgrades for the bandsaw, but these two above will help to get you "hummin" right away.

Does anyone know with what S/N the 'retrofit kit' was part of the bandsaw as built? I'm eyeing one on FleaBay that has the aluminum table but otherwise don't know how 'modern' it is.