Shopsmith Forums

A couple years ago I replaced all the bearings on my bandsaw. Last year one of the tires came off so I replaced them with the ureathane ones from shopsmith. When the top tire came while off before replacement it got stuck inside and I had to cut it to get it out. Ever since that happened I get a squealing noise like a bearing makes it it is loose on a shaft. Could the belt have ruined one or more of the new bearing? Thanks for any help Ivan

sawmill wrote:Ever since that happened I get a squealing noise like a bearing makes it it is loose on a shaft. Could the belt have ruined one or more of the new bearing? Thanks for any help Ivan

I don't think it could, but anything can happen. Have ya tried running the BS without a blade? Re greased the upper wheel bearing?

beeg wrote: Re greased the upper wheel bearing?

Funny you should mention this because it has been on my to do list. Can anybody post the proper procedure and grease for re-greasing the upper wheel bearing (with pics even better)?

Remove blade.

Remove retaining clip.

Remove washer.

Remove wheel.

Push new grease into center of needle bearings and force(with smallest pinkie) into the limited space between the 'needles'.

Rotate bearing while pinkie is pushing grease or move pinkie around the inside. If you can get the needles rotating, that be good!

Coat shaft with grease and reassemble wheel, washer and clip.


Oh and remove any belt fragments you should find.

If you want, run a rag through the bearing to clean out the old grease(etc.) before new grease.

A fine grade grease is good, but about any 'grease' will do. Wheel bearing grease comes to mind. but not the 'stiff' kind. IMHO lithium grease(white) seems to do well, but considerthat I seem to use it just about everywhere!.

Thanks, JPG.

Oh! And clean off the shaft also.

sawmill wrote:A couple years ago I replaced all the bearings on my bandsaw. Last year one of the tires came off so I replaced them with the ureathane ones from shopsmith. When the top tire came while off before replacement it got stuck inside and I had to cut it to get it out. Ever since that happened I get a squealing noise like a bearing makes it it is loose on a shaft. Could the belt have ruined one or more of the new bearing? Thanks for any help Ivan

Just a note: Last year I replaced all of the bearings in my bandsaw. (Not because they were needed, just thought the maintenance was the thing to do) The new tracking bearings squealed. So I replaced the old ones. Now it's quiet.

[quote="charlese"]Just a note: Last year I replaced all of the bearings in my bandsaw. (Not because they were needed, just thought the maintenance was the thing to do) The new tracking bearings squealed. So I replaced the old ones. Now it's quiet.[/quote]


As in put the old ones back in?

P.S. I wonder what reversing them would do(reverse rotation and or position).

charlese wrote:Just a note: Last year I replaced all of the bearings in my bandsaw. (Not because they were needed, just thought the maintenance was the thing to do) The new tracking bearings squealed. So I replaced the old ones. Now it's quiet.

Mine ran quiet until the tire came off the wheel. I think I will try lubing the wheel bearing and check for movement in any of the bearings. It still cuts good but has that anoying noise. The only time it does it the worst is when you start cutting. I guess I will have to do a complete realinment. and check everying thing out for damage. Thanks for all the hints of what it may be. Ivan

sawmill wrote:Mine ran quiet until the tire came off the wheel. I think I will try lubing the wheel bearing and check for movement in any of the bearings. It still cuts good but has that anoying noise. The only time it does it the worst is when you start cutting. I guess I will have to do a complete realinment. and check everying thing out for damage. Thanks for all the hints of what it may be. Ivan

The bandsaw is notorious for making noises. Sometimes you find the cause, sometimes you learn to live with it. Sometimes it only makes noise when the covers are on and NEVER with them off. Worrying about them can cause much anguish.

Like the saying goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fixit'. However if ya gots lots of spare time. . . .

Extreme noise however needs to be addressed. Bearings are the likely cause(what else moves?:rolleyes:).

P.S. Blade guides are a common source.