Shopsmith Forums

Thanks for all the help. I recieved and installed the new tire Wednesday. I quickly learned the new tire is a very tight fit so I ran the saw without glue and left the cover off so I coud view what was happening. No slips, no warping or loosening of the tire, so I delved into my project. I have put about two hours of cutting on the (glue less ) tire and all is well. I'm not giving advice as I'm new to this equipment, and just want to share my experience. I'll check in every now and again, cause I know I'll need direction. Algale if you didn't get my reply, I look forward to having that coffee. Thanks again so far I'm waving bye with all my digits.

It is not recommended to run the saw with the cover off. When things happen/go wrong they happen very very fast.

It is also a good idea to remove the tension on the blade when you finish cutting or at the end of the day. You might want to leave a sign or such on the saw to remember to re-tension the blade before you use it again.

Ed

Thanks Ed, I try to do things right. however I'm not rich or famous so i must have screwed up somewhere. I wonder, would this be true to all band saws or just the Shopsmith brand?

Gino wrote:Thanks Ed, I try to do things right. however I'm not rich or famous so i must have screwed up somewhere. I wonder, would this be true to all band saws or just the Shopsmith brand?

Running with the cover off - absolutely!!!

Releasing tension - maybe, but less likely.

Three reasons for releasing tension on the SS bandsaw.

1) Constant stress on the upper arm can potentially cause fatigue that results in decreased cant.

2) The SS uses a leaf spring rather than a coil spring. Thus the 'compressing' force is over a short motion range. Potential fatigue again.

Notice 'potential'. No guarantee the fatigue will or won't happen. However less stress is preferable.

3) Over time the rubber will compress due to the constant pressure of the blade under tension. Creates depressions that results in bumpy tires.


FWIW 'fully compressed tension spring coils' is impossible(no coils). The leaf spring is unfettered on one end, but the adjustment screw has limited travel.

JPG wrote:

Gino wrote:Thanks Ed, I try to do things right. however I'm not rich or famous so i must have screwed up somewhere. I wonder, would this be true to all band saws or just the Shopsmith brand?

Running with the cover off - absolutely!!!

Releasing tension - maybe, but less likely.

Three reasons for releasing tension on the SS bandsaw.

1) Constant stress on the upper arm can potentially cause fatigue that results in decreased cant.

2) The SS uses a leaf spring rather than a coil spring. Thus the 'compressing' force is over a short motion range. Potential fatigue again.

Notice 'potential'. No guarantee the fatigue will or won't happen. However less stress is preferable.

3) Over time the rubber will compress due to the constant pressure of the blade under tension. Creates depressions that results in bumpy tires.


FWIW 'fully compressed tension spring coils' is impossible(no coils). The leaf spring is unfettered on one end, but the adjustment screw has limited travel.

I'm not a mechanical engineer, but I've discussed fatigue issues with them on a number of occasions. My understanding is that constant loading of a structure does not cause fatigue. Rather, fatigue is caused by cyclic loading of a structure. This Wikipedia article appears to corroborate that understanding.

Personally, I do not release the tension on my bandsaw blade, because I think it likely to contribute to fatigue problems. Aluminum, in particular, will eventually fatigue even at very low cyclic stress levels. That said, I do believe that releasing the blade tension would be better for the tires. But I haven't had any problems with my old-style black rubber tires, and consider that the lesser of two evils.

I've seen the reviews on the Shopsmith site regarding the urethane tires and poor ratings. Is there another option that works better? Where can I get the rubber tires? I purchased a bandsaw recently that has no tires on it currently.
Thanks,
David

Dave H. (CO) wrote:I've seen the reviews on the Shopsmith site regarding the urethane tires and poor ratings. Is there another option that works better? Where can I get the rubber tires? I purchased a bandsaw recently that has no tires on it currently.
Thanks,
David

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

Dave H. (CO) wrote:I've seen the reviews on the Shopsmith site regarding the urethane tires and poor ratings. Is there another option that works better? Where can I get the rubber tires? I purchased a bandsaw recently that has no tires on it currently.
Thanks,
David

Shopsmith sell the replacement black rubber tires. As far as the urethane tires I have heard many people say the blue ones from Band Saw Tire Warehouse on eBay are very good. I have no personal experience with them only know what I have heard.

well if the tire I'm using does not perform as should ill be looking for an alternative. got a lot of band sawing to do, ill know shortly. thanks for the info