Shopsmith Forums

So I have my new urethane tires on and they seem to be staying on. They aren't against the back shoulder of the wheel like I installed them though. They moved more towards the front. So I now continue on in my BS maintenance.

I want to cut down the vibration the machine is making. The BS is connected to a power station. All of that connection looks sound. The wheels aren't out of round, so that is checked off also. All my rollers are good, check. The lower wheel is great. Without the blade on, the wheel runs perfectly. Put the blade back on and watched the upper wheel. Seems to be a bit sloppy. With the blade off, the wheel has alot of front to back movement. This isn't normal, is it? I can guarantee you that the needle bearing in this wheel hasn't been greased in 15 years. Of course, the BS hasn't seen alot of runtime in that period either.

What do you all think...wheel movement front to back, normal? Grease the needle bearing or is it probably shot and I should install a new one?

What size bandsaw blade are you using? Is the bandsaw blade tracking againest the the auto-track roller/bearings? There should not be any back and forward movement of the upper wheel. There is a fiber washer on the outside of the upper wheel to prevent any movement. If the wheel rocks on the upper wheel axle, then you need to replace the bearing (B88-TOR or GB88 at [url]http://www.ebatmus.com)[/url]. You can always grease the upper wheel bearing and try it again. If the axle has any ridges/grooves in it, then the upper wheel arm and axle (#517640) will need replacing along with the bearing.

I have found a couple upper wheels where the back hub has excessive wear along with the upper wheel arm contact point causing side to side movement. I have various thickness copper thrust washers so that I will find one that eliminates the side thurst. I insert the copper washer between the wheel and arm.

I have noticed some vibration and noise sometimes when I put a kink in the bandsaw blade. The ball bearings or bronze bushings can squeal quite loudly sometimes but I did not notice any extra vibration at that time. The welded connection on the bandsaw blade can cause noise too. I play around with the blade tension sometimes when looking for the source of a problem. Try a different width blade to see if you get the same problem.

eldyfig wrote:So I have my new urethane tires on and they seem to be staying on. They aren't against the back shoulder of the wheel like I installed them though. They moved more towards the front. So I now continue on in my BS maintenance.

I want to cut down the vibration the machine is making. The BS is connected to a power station. All of that connection looks sound. The wheels aren't out of round, so that is checked off also. All my rollers are good, check. The lower wheel is great. Without the blade on, the wheel runs perfectly. Put the blade back on and watched the upper wheel. Seems to be a bit sloppy. With the blade off, the wheel has alot of front to back movement. This isn't normal, is it? I can guarantee you that the needle bearing in this wheel hasn't been greased in 15 years. Of course, the BS hasn't seen alot of runtime in that period either.

What do you all think...wheel movement front to back, normal? Grease the needle bearing or is it probably shot and I should install a new one?

Tony,

I am certainly no expert. I suggest Bill Mayo will weigh in with advise. One thing I feel certain he will suggest is to purchase Jacob Anderson's DVD; "Tune Up and Repair your Shopsmith bandsaw"

I just received my copy and am yet to have time to view it. What I do know is that Jacob has an excellent reputation and does a great job of explaining things. Jim

eldyfig wrote:So I have my new urethane tires on and they seem to be staying on. They aren't against the back shoulder of the wheel like I installed them though. They moved more towards the front. So I now continue on in my BS maintenance.

I want to cut down the vibration the machine is making. The BS is connected to a power station. All of that connection looks sound. The wheels aren't out of round, so that is checked off also. All my rollers are good, check. The lower wheel is great. Without the blade on, the wheel runs perfectly. Put the blade back on and watched the upper wheel. Seems to be a bit sloppy. With the blade off, the wheel has alot of front to back movement. This isn't normal, is it? I can guarantee you that the needle bearing in this wheel hasn't been greased in 15 years. Of course, the BS hasn't seen alot of runtime in that period either.

What do you all think...wheel movement front to back, normal? Grease the needle bearing or is it probably shot and I should install a new one?

Lube the upper needle bearings and if that takes care of the problem great, if not replace the needle bearings. Amazing what a little grease will do.
LDH

I have a 1/2" blade on there right now. I pulled a new blade out of its packaging today, figuring the blade on there might have a bend in it, plus I don't know how old it is. That might get rid of some noise, but not the wobble. The blade was tracking on the auto-track roller and the lower blade guide roller bearing.

What kind of grease should be used on the needle bearings?

Bill,

Using the parts search on that website, I found neither of those bearings. Part #GB88A with a description of "11036 C. I. CHANGE GEAR" did come up and it costs $63.79. Maybe I need to call them for parts B88-TOR or GB88.

Anyone know a part number for the bearing from SS? I see they have an Upper Wheel Assembly which includes the upper wheel and bearings and a rubber tire for $71.60. I don't believe I need a wheel at the moment and I don't need a rubber tire as long as the urethane tire is what it is said to be.

I find this bearing for the upper bandsaw wheel at http://www.ebatmus.com . You may want to measure your bearing to make sure before ordering. I have never replaced this bearing but was given this number from one of the forums
B-88 THE TORRINGTON COMPANY NEEDLE BEARING 1/2X11/16X1/2 B88 3.09

Found it. I will be sure to measure mine first. Thanks Senior Chief.

I use a brand name wheel bearing grease for the needle bearings and the bronze roller bushings and on any other Shopsmith equipment where grease is needed such as the Gilmer quill shaft splines.

eldyfig wrote:IWhat kind of grease should be used on the needle bearings?