Shopsmith Forums

I have a 510 I inherited from my father. I had to store it in an outdoor shed when we lived in Montgomery, Al. I have since moved to Idaho Falls, ID an now have a shop. I spent a year cleaning it up and relearning how to use it. The band saw works fine except for one thing.
I have been using the Shopsmith brand blades my father purchased before 1989. They are in unopened boxes with no rust or apparent contaminants.

Here's where my problem begins. I was cutting the last of 5 identical 5" tall items from basswood using a 1/4" blade. I needed to use this blade because of the curves in the cut out. I got in a hurry and the blade broke. I had a couple more identical blades. I tried to install one and had trouble with the Blade Tension System. When I try to tighten it after blade installation, it moves to top idler wheel into contact with the top stud for the front cover which is attached to the rear casing.

I have inspected all parts and they are in good shape and connected properly. My question is this. The Tension Indicator Scale rotates. It can be tightened with the screw on its top. Is there a reference for when this is in the proper location? Parts diagrams and SS documentation do not indicate this. The tensioner does move the upper wheel when turned, but it doesn't keep the tire from contacting the stud. Help.

I've solved this problem. I was trying to set tension without a blade installed. Oh well, sorry for the panic post.

To answer the scale reference question, the first step.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 17#p138317

Not very obvious, but the edge of the scale is positioned to coincide with the edge of the spring bar with 0 tension. There are two locations that extend further out. Those are the scale edge to adjust to.