Should the bandsaw blade run on the lower bearing?

[wdphillips]

I just started working with the Shopsmith bandsaw and have some questions.

Under normal operating conditions should the blade be running on the lower bearing? Mine seems to be a bit noisy so I went through a good bit of the alignment procedure. My noise seems to be emanating from the blade (1/4") running on the lower bearing. After watching the bandsaw tuning video I came away believing the blade should not be contacting the upper or lower bearing.

I can understand the adjustment procedure for the upper bearing, although a true PITA. I cannot say that I have ever got the adjustment on the upper bearing to be within 1/64 with the guard at the low point and high point.

The only way I see to adjust the lower bearing/blade proximity is by moving the blade on the wheel.

Any help, documentation, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[JPG]

The lower front guide bearing serves the same purpose as the upper rear guide bearing. i.e. positions the blade on the wheel. As such it MUST be contacting the spine of the blade.

Yes the bearings are a common source of squealing which is not easily eliminated.

Only the front upper backup bearing is adjustable towards/away from the blade.

[Hobbyman2]

This video may help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BKd4JtkxNM

[dusty]

The Shopsmith alignment procedures are complete and accurate and if followed precisely will result in a properly aligned power tool. The procedures, however, are a bit tedious to faithfully adhere to and I must admit that I have NEVER actually done so.

I have played with my two bandsaws far more than can be justified by the results. BUT, that being said, I am very confident that my bandsaws will faithfully and accurately produce any result that is reasonable to expect from a 12" bandsaw. Noisy, YES. Reliable, YES. Indispensible in my shop, YES.

Alignment of the upper and lower guide bearings has been subject of much discussion. Read and view what is available and then go to work and enjoy..

[wdphillips]

This video may help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BKd4JtkxNM

In fact, I watched those videos right after I made the post. I found them very informative and would also recommend them.

[wdphillips]

The Shopsmith alignment procedures are complete and accurate and if followed precisely will result in a properly aligned power tool. The procedures, however, are a bit tedious to faithfully adhere to and I must admit that I have NEVER actually done so.

I have played with my two bandsaws far more than can be justified by the results. BUT, that being said, I am very confident that my bandsaws will faithfully and accurately produce any result that is reasonable to expect from a 12" bandsaw. Noisy, YES. Reliable, YES. Indispensible in my shop, YES.

Alignment of the upper and lower guide bearings has been subject of much discussion. Read and view what is available and then go to work and enjoy..

I think I have read pretty much everything that has been posted, but I could be wrong.

I have done the Shopsmith alignment procedure, but they never really talked about bearing contact other than the alignment bearing close to the tensioner. One thing about my documentation, it seems to refer to a parts diagram that is not part of my document. I have the original but maybe it is just incomplete. Is there one on-line?

I probably got thrown off when one thread recommended the "Band Saw Clinic". While very informative they were not using a Shopsmith band saw. Nothing touched the upper and lower bearing during the clinic and the placement of the blade on the wheel seems to be different than the Shopsmith.

The youtube video recommended in this thread was quite helpful in telling where the blade should be on the upper wheel. However, he does state, many times, the Shopsmith band saw is different than most others.

I also notice quite a few "replace the bearings on the Shopsmith band saw" videos. Not sure if that would help quiet Shopsmith band saw. Has anyone done that?

[wdphillips]

Well, I am not sure what I searched for originally, but I just found 329 pages of Band saw stuff!

I found the manuals and parts diagram. I have some reading to do.

[dusty]

Replacing the backup bearings may alter the noise level but it has been my experience that this will be temporary. I do not believe the noise is from worn bearings. I believe the noise is generated as a result of contact between the blade and the bearing. Nothing scientific to back that up, just my opinion. Somewhat substantiated, in my mind, by the fact that I have reused several of the removed bearings in other projects with no issues.

Yes, be vary careful NOT to apply Shopsmith criteria to other bandsaws or vice versa.

Check out this link. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/bandsaw.htm

While there, scroll down and you will find links to the bandsaw Users Manual and the Bandsaw Parts List.

[Mike907]

Here is a link to the Bandsaw Manual:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manuals/845539.pdf

As JPG stated, only the upper bearing can be adjusted front to back, and the proper adjustment is to be within 1/64" of the back of the blade, but not touching. See page 14. Of course, as soon as you start sawing, the blade will contact the upper bearing.

Hope this helps,

Mike

[wdphillips]

I now know more about the Shopsmith Band Saw than I intended. But I do have it running quieter than it ever has.

A couple of take aways...Lithium Grease on all three bearings does wonders.

Keep the speed down.

The Band Saw blade runs on the inside of the upper tire, the only way it will contact the alignment bearing.

Too much tension on the blade sends it to the middle of the tire. Although I never let it run that long, I expected it to come off!

The talk about rubber cased bearing is interesting. My guess is that would really quiet it down.

If you take the tension off the blade to put it away as recommended, you will need to align it (upper bearing) again when you tension it.

All the tension and releasing of the blade while working to understand the alignment I believe has stretched the blade (probably 1998 vintage). I am now noticing a cyclic tick as I cut with it. Blade ready to go???