Shopsmith Forums

After installing my new roller guide bearings for my bandsaw I noticed that there is still a howling noise coming from it. I took the blade off and keeping all of my appendages out of the way, I turned the SS on and the noise was gone. I shut it down and turned the upper wheel and the sound I heard was not bad but it didn't sound healthy either. During the restoration of the bandsaw I made it a point to lube the upper and lower bearings and thought the noise was coming from the old OEM bushing style guide bearings. The new roller bearings are whisper quiet so I'm figuring the noise has to be coming from the upper wheel.

Now that the back story is laid out, does anyone have a good number for the needle bearings or do I just need to head down the the local bearing shop and let them have a crack at it?

According go the mother ship, that bearing is not 'user replaceable'. Now the ship says that about almost every other bearing. Most users do not have a bearing press.

Now assuming a monkey such as yourself does have one, the bearing is indeed replaceable. It has been done by a forum member(I do not remember who, nor the size of the bearing - you can measure the shaft for the ID), but hopefully someone can locate the thread.

I think care must be exercised to make sure the wheel is not cracked nor warped during replacement.

A relevant thread - http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... ze#p117392

JPG wrote:According go the mother ship, that bearing is not 'user replaceable'. Now the ship says that about almost every other bearing. Most users do not have a bearing press.

Thank you for the information JPG; that is exactly what I am looking for. I read the same thing in the parts manual where the mothership does not give a part number and they recommend replacing the wheel. I can't see anything wrong with the wheel with the exception of the bearings and with the info you gave me I can run down to the bearing shop and pick a pair up. And yes, it does help having been a mechanic for 20+ years as I have pressed out/in a bearing or two in my time. Thanks again.

Monkey;
If you can, measure the ID ( should be the same as the shaft ) the OD and look at www.VXB.com and use the search function for the upper wheel bearings. They are needle roller bearings and a suitable replacement was available on that site but I can't remember the number.
Bill V

If the measurements are accurate, this should work:
http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/I ... fgodtLEADA

I have this part number in a spread sheet where I collect this sort of information; however, I have NO EVIDENCE from any source that indicates it has been tried.

The bandsaw upper wheel requires 2 B88 needle bearings. These are available from many sellers on Ebay. I found that a bearing installation tool and a hydraulic press is required to remove and install this needle bearing. The needle bearing outer case is a thin metal and be easily bent/distorted.

billmayo wrote:The bandsaw upper wheel requires 2 B88 needle bearings. These are available from many sellers on Ebay. I found that a bearing installation tool and a hydraulic press is required to remove and install this needle bearing. The needle bearing outer case is a thin metal and be easily bent/distorted.

Two Needle Bearings? Do they install from opposite sides or are they pressed in from the same side (which side)???

Yup. Two bearings. Readily visible if one looks. It also appears that they must both be installed from the rear. If you look closely (if the images are good enough), you can see the part number SCE88.

Sure wish I could get good images like reibles'.

dusty wrote:

billmayo wrote:The bandsaw upper wheel requires 2 B88 needle bearings. These are available from many sellers on Ebay. I found that a bearing installation tool and a hydraulic press is required to remove and install this needle bearing. The needle bearing outer case is a thin metal and be easily bent/distorted.

Two Needle Bearings? Do they install from opposite sides or are they pressed in from the same side (which side)???

Yup. Two bearings. Readily visible if one looks. It also appears that they must both be installed from the rear. If you look closely (if the images are good enough), you can see the part number SCE88.

Sure wish I could get good images like reibles'.

Nothing wrong with yours!!!!





BTW they are getting better, so you are obviously trying!!

I only replaced the set of needle bearings on 1 bandsaw. I pressed the new needle bearing in from each side of the wheel. I did drill and tap a hole for a zerk grease fitting on this one before installing the needle bearings but decided that was not really needed again as I saw no real wear occurring on the dozens of arm shafts of the bandsaws I serviced. Removal of the upper bandsaw wheel to allow the use of a pipe on the shaft to set the proper upper wheel offset provided me a time to grease these bearings.

I did find real wear occurring on the upper shaft of the 6X48 belt sander so I would drill and tap the idler drum for a zerk fitting to use a grease gun. I drill a few holes in the idler shaft to allow the grease to penetrate into the torsion spring. I felt this was a needed improvement for the belt sander.

JPG wrote:

dusty wrote:

billmayo wrote:The bandsaw upper wheel requires 2 B88 needle bearings. These are available from many sellers on Ebay. I found that a bearing installation tool and a hydraulic press is required to remove and install this needle bearing. The needle bearing outer case is a thin metal and be easily bent/distorted.

Two Needle Bearings? Do they install from opposite sides or are they pressed in from the same side (which side)???

Yup. Two bearings. Readily visible if one looks. It also appears that they must both be installed from the rear. If you look closely (if the images are good enough), you can see the part number SCE88.

Sure wish I could get good images like reibles'.

Nothing wrong with yours!!!!





BTW they are getting better, so you are obviously trying!!

Thank you but the images that reible posts are much clearer, much more professional.

I do get better images that in the past but there is great room for improvement. I have noticed others posting images lately that are also much better than these.