Shopsmith Forums

I just finished attending a class taught by David Marks. He recommended attaching a brush to the inside of the bandsaw case to clean off the lower tire.

I have also seen various woodworking tips where the handle of a used toothbrush is heated to bend at a 90 degree angle. The toothbrush was then bolted to the case of the bandsaw. The bristles of the toothbrush are then in contact with the bandsaw tire.

Has anyone done this to their Shopsmith Bandsaw?

lodgepole wrote:I just finished attending a class taught by David Marks. He recommended attaching a brush to the inside of the bandsaw case to clean off the lower tire.

I have also seen various woodworking tips where the handle of a used toothbrush is heated to bend at a 90 degree angle. The toothbrush was then bolted to the case of the bandsaw. The bristles of the toothbrush are then in contact with the bandsaw tire.

Has anyone done this to their Shopsmith Bandsaw?

NOT I, but have been thinking of doing something to 'brush' the tires. A toothbrush seems a good idea to me!:)

Yes. I've an old toothbrush mounted inside mine running against the lower tire. Works well. Drilled a small hole in the frame to mount on. Cut the toothbrush short and drilled a hole in it as well. Simple screw and nut to mount.

The difference in noise is remarkable with a clean wheel.

foxtrapper wrote:Yes. I've an old toothbrush mounted inside mine running against the lower tire. Works well. Drilled a small hole in the frame to mount on. Cut the toothbrush short and drilled a hole in it as well. Simple screw and nut to mount.

The difference in noise is remarkable with a clean wheel.

Where did you position it? Does it 'brush' the blade also?:)

foxtrapper wrote:Yes. I've an old toothbrush mounted inside mine running against the lower tire. Works well. Drilled a small hole in the frame to mount on. Cut the toothbrush short and drilled a hole in it as well. Simple screw and nut to mount.

The difference in noise is remarkable with a clean wheel.

Picture please??

The bandsaw sawmill I used to own some years ago came with a small wire wheel (about 3") mounted in front of the drive wheel. It ran at an angle and barely brushed the blade as it passed under the brush which cleaned the blade surface just before it contacted the drive wheel. Of course the sawmill ran horizontally and it also didn't have tires on the wheels. The wheels were steel and flat with a step cut that helped guide the back of the blade.
I wouldn't want to run a wire wheel against the rubber tire but a little bristle wheel running at an angle with very light contact might do a nice job.
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My new bandsaw sawmill uses an all together different setup and doe not have a brush.

I'll post this Tip again:

If you have rubber tires on your bandsaw, all you need to keep larger amounts of sawdust from sticking to the wheels is to wet a rag with Silicone from a spry can and wipe down the tires. I've done this for the past 5 years following 5 years of letting a 1/4" blade under tension in the saw. At that time, there was a groove being pressed into the rubber and the rubber was hardening and cracking on the surface.

After 5 years of semi regular cleaning with Silicone, most of the cracks have dissappeared and so has most of the 1/4" blade dent. Now upon cleaning the insides, I find some sawdust on the tires, but certainly not the amounts I had before. The surface of the tires are now just as soft as when new.

Sometimes, when the blade has been removed, I've even been known to squirt the silicone directly onto the tires, then wipe it off. I've yet to find any "fisheye" or other effect of the Silicone use. However I don't get sloppy with it.

My Craftsman bandsaw came with a brush already attached to clean the wheel and the blade.
BPR

charlese wrote:I'll post this Tip again:

If you have rubber tires on your bandsaw, all you need to keep larger amounts of sawdust from sticking to the wheels is to wet a rag with Silicone from a spry can and wipe down the tires. I've done this for the past 5 years following 5 years of letting a 1/4" blade under tension in the saw. At that time, there was a groove being pressed into the rubber and the rubber was hardening and cracking on the surface.

After 5 years of semi regular cleaning with Silicone, most of the cracks have dissappeared and so has most of the 1/4" blade dent. Now upon cleaning the insides, I find some sawdust on the tires, but certainly not the amounts I had before. The surface of the tires are now just as soft as when new.

Sometimes, when the blade has been removed, I've even been known to squirt the silicone directly onto the tires, then wipe it off. I've yet to find any "fisheye" or other effect of the Silicone use. However I don't get sloppy with it.

Charlese - please clarify on the Silicone you used. Is it WD40? I've got a couple of wheels with the rubber dried and cracked pretty bad ---
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Would like to bring life back into them and use your advise on the product you recommend.

Thanks!
Matt