Shopsmith Forums

Since this weekend my niece was here to give me a break from mom, and the weather was mild spent it in the shop. I put the legs on the grayling and lubed it up, runs fine, and got the cast iron table Band Saw mounted and adjusted for height, an 1/8 off.
Did some clean up on it, lots of packy saw dust, like oil and dust mixed together. I have been working around and with BSs most of my life, I have 3 at the moment and never in my life had the inverted blade problem, teeth up on the down stroke, never heard about it till just a few months ago. So the blade that was on there is inverted, then I opened up a new Olson that I bought today, unwound it and it was inverted, go figure.
To the point, it appears to be the upper wheel bearing, just squeals intermittently. It is not the blade support bearing they are not turning and the one by the blade tension I stopped and it was still squealing.
I was reading in the owners manual on line from SS, which by the way is the new style BS that you can hand pack that bearing, is that true of the cast iron table ones? If not can I change that bearing?
Or as in the newer model in the owners manual they say send it to SS for service.
Options??

Upper wheel = needle bearing. Is it 'dry'?

JPG wrote:Upper wheel = needle bearing. Is it 'dry'?

First off this is a double post we are answering to, dont know if it is dry but a vintage 1980 BS. So let say it is, a bit of Wd40 and repack it with bearing grease.

Well the upper wheel bearing was dry, repacked, it still screamed, then found the culprit, the lower blade support bearing. A great learning curve though, since I have a free standing one in Atown, and my nephew has a greenie BS that has started to make the same noise some times, so now I know how to fix it for him.
Is there a way to repack the lower wheel bearing? As far as I could see, there is no spring clip holding it on, I am not sure how to access it, any info would be appreciated on that.
I will start a new thread with any questions on the blade back up/guide bearing if need be.

ERLover wrote:Well the upper wheel bearing was dry, repacked, it still screamed, then found the culprit, the lower blade support bearing. A great learning curve though, since I have a free standing one in Atown, and my nephew has a greenie BS that has started to make the same noise some times, so now I know how to fix it for him.
Is there a way to repack the lower wheel bearing? As far as I could see, there is no spring clip holding it on, I am not sure how to access it, any info would be appreciated on that.
I will start a new thread with any questions on the blade back up/guide bearing if need be.

I think bearings are the most important component of a tool that rotates. A lot of people want to spend the least amount of money on the bearings. Quality bearings are "expensive" depending on your perspective. I replaced the bearings on my first 10ER restoration with the original Fafnir bearings. Around $25 as opposed to around $10. Yes they are more expensive than the Chinese junk but, I will never have to replace them.

If you are not willing to pay the price for top quality bearings then expect to replace them at some time.

I did the LDH double backup bearing on my band saw back in '08 when he posted it. Not because my bearings squealed but because it seemed to me it was a better idea. Bill Mayo sells pretty much the same thing. Get the kit from Bill so you don't have to get all the individual parts for LDH's upgrade.

That and a set of Carter roller bearing upper and lower blade guides and you have the best 11" band saw in the industry.

jsburger wrote:

ERLover wrote:Well the upper wheel bearing was dry, repacked, it still screamed, then found the culprit, the lower blade support bearing. A great learning curve though, since I have a free standing one in Atown, and my nephew has a greenie BS that has started to make the same noise some times, so now I know how to fix it for him.
Is there a way to repack the lower wheel bearing? As far as I could see, there is no spring clip holding it on, I am not sure how to access it, any info would be appreciated on that.
I will start a new thread with any questions on the blade back up/guide bearing if need be.

I think bearings are the most important component of a tool that rotates. A lot of people want to spend the least amount of money on the bearings. Quality bearings are "expensive" depending on your perspective. I replaced the bearings on my first 10ER restoration with the original Fafnir bearings. Around $10 as opposed to around $20. Yes they are more expensive than the Chinese junk but, I will never have to replace them.

If you are not willing to pay the price for top quality bearings then expect to replace them at some time.

I did the LDH double backup bearing on my band saw back in '08 when he posted it. Not because my bearings squealed but because it seemed to me it was a better idea. Bill Mayo sells pretty much the same thing. Get the kit from Bill so you don't have to get all the individual parts for LDH's upgrade.

That and a set of Carter roller bearing upper and lower blade guides and you have the best 11" band saw in the industry.

John I agree, but a bit late, I ordered the SS blade guide bearing kit and cool blocks for the grayling I have at moms. It will be better the OE, but not as good as your suggestion. I will save yours for my nephews greeine BS, and when I have to to my SS stand alone.