Shopsmith Forums

Trying to set up a new to me bandsaw. Have replaced the roller bearings in the upper wheel but still have what I feel is excessive play between the new bearings and the upper wheel spindle. Spindle OD measures .501. Measuring "play" with dial indicator set on outer rim of cast upper wheel. Pressing out indicator is set to zero - pressing in indicator reads .057. I can visually see movement between new roller bearings and spindle. New roller bearings were exact match for originals. While operating ( not cutting)upper wheel wobbles erratically - bottom wheel runs smooth.

Time for a new upper wheel ?

Wheel wobbles when rotated - even after installing new bearings?

Is the shaft perpendicular to the plane of the wheel and is the wheel flat (not bent)?

Correct - wheel wobbles during rotation. This unit unused for some time and I suspected possible flat spots on rubber tire. After set-up I decided to let the saw run for 10 - 15 minutes in no load condition to hopefully stabilize. Observing with front cover removed the upper wheel wobble was very evident while the bottom wheel ran smooth and true. Don't have a surface plate but will do additional checks on wheel and shaft later today.

Thanks for feedback :-)

Could the wheel have gotten bent during bearing replacement?

FWIW SS does not recommend replacing bearing.

Will chuck the wheel up later today and check runout with the dial indicator but I don't think there's any significant problem. This all appears to be a spindle / bearing bore issue.

I noted SS's recommendation on not changing bearings but wanted to avoid the $118.00 if possible.

Upper wheel does not appear to be bent, maybe a couple of thousandths, however I could not confirm spindle axis at 90 degrees as the mandrel I used had an OD of .498 . Convinced, at this point, that problem is with ID of roller bearings - even though new. Radial runout, on the rubber tire, was .032

Anybody got a good upper wheel with bearings for sale ??

Thanks,

Jon

jth737 wrote:Upper wheel does not appear to be bent, maybe a couple of thousandths, however I could not confirm spindle axis at 90 degrees as the mandrel I used had an OD of .498 . Convinced, at this point, that problem is with ID of roller bearings - even though new. Radial runout, on the rubber tire, was .032

Anybody got a good upper wheel with bearings for sale ??

Thanks,

Jon

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Shopsmith does not recommend trying to replace those bearings. However they have to come from somewhere and they have to be installed during the manufacturing process. Try VXB bearings at www.vxb.com they have a listing of needle roller bearings and one should work. When installing the bearings the hub of the wheel should be supported and don't force the bearings. I believe that the inner is one half inch but not sure about the shell.
I am going by memory here so measure everything first.
Bill V

Replacement wheel ordered ( Thank you JPG ). My guess is that original assembly of the upper wheel begins with machining, then heating, then bearing insertion, and finally tire installation. I don't have a press and used a driver to remove and reinstall new bearings. Hoping the new (to me) wheel will resolve the issue.

Jon