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my band saw broke
By electrondady1, Section Mechanical Posted on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 05:33:28 PM MST
too cheap to buy a new one

i use this saw to make coil jigs, hope it's ok to post this question. the upper and lower wheels have lost what i think are shaped rubber rings which fit on thier cercumference. i beleave they were shaped to keep the band on the wheels and alined properly. they were missing when i got the saw. up untill now there was a lip of plastic on each wheel which did the same thing but it is now worn away and the band won't stay on track. the wheels are made of plastic with enough meat to cut a taper. just curious as to what would be a good angle to keep the band tracking?

my band saw broke | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 editorial)

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by frogvalley (mark at frogvalley dot com) on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 11:54:02 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.frogvalley.com

I have several bandsaws, both metal cutting and wood cutting. One is over 50 yrs old. The rubber rims (on metal wheels on all my bandsaws) have various levels of wear so the angle or curve varies with each. The exact curve is different for each one, its almost flat in the center were the blad is supposed to ride, and tapers slighty from there. Almost any slight curve will do, a degree or two is all it takes. After cutting the rim of the wheel to shape you might try to put a new rubber facing on the wheels, try inner tube slices to cover it and glue it in place. Harder rubber O rings could be found and cut to fit also. Try industrial plumbing supplier for massive O rings, but the inner tube might work and is cheaper.

Good luck-Mark

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Laylow on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 12:56:40 PM MST
(User Info)

you need new bandsaw tires. http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10783?affiliate_id=56&client=3931

http://www.woodtechtooling.com/BandSawTires/BandSawTires.html

If you're making your own I wouldn't worry too much about the angle. How much control would you have over that anyway?

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by electrondady1 on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 01:04:55 PM MST
(User Info)

hey guys thanks for responding . i can put the wheels on my laith and just tune them up a bit. i like the inner tube idea. the wheels are only about 5" in dia.

want't to try this for a while thanks!

[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by Laylow on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 01:48:40 PM MST
(User Info)

I see now. I've never seen a bandsaw with that kind of setup, not that I've seen very many. Is this a little hobby saw or something?

[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by electrondady1 on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 02:22:06 PM MST
(User Info)

yea, it a mighty "nu-way", ... kinda cheezy , 10" , my old dad must have got it at a yard sale or some thing. there's a drive wheel(with the last remaining rubber rim )bolted directly to the shaft of an electric motor and then the two vertical wheels that have been giving me trouble. i just gave the wheels a bit of a taper with a file . its working again !! ive got a bicycle inner tube around here some where . when i find that i'll redo the wheels. thanks fellas !

[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by Norm (peppysue@suite224.net) on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 04:51:12 PM MST
(User Info)

Just go to a store and look at the wheels
on a bandsaw
I might be wrong but it seems like the tires
have (=[]=) something like these parenthesis
...maybe just a little flatter this way the belt
or blade tries to ride up highest part which
helps to center the blade.
( :>) Norm.
( :>) Norm
[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by Nando (nando37-at-tx-dot-rr-dot-com Correct theanti-spam) on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 02:28:30 PM MST
(User Info)

DON'T DO IT

The wheels should track the whole width of the blade for proper tracking.

Nando

[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by electrondady1 on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 02:36:22 PM MST
(User Info)

i'm not shure i understand nando??

[ Parent ]

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Texas Al (alex NOSPAM keepthelightson.net) on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 02:53:17 PM MST
(User Info) http://keepthelightson.net/

Hey, Joe, is that you? From San Antonio?

Help us write a manual on how to reboot a crashed civilization!

Carter (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by wdyasq on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 05:13:59 PM MST
(User Info)

http://www.carterproducts.com/product_list.asp?cat_id=6

These folks are the bandsaw people.

Ron
Adventure is just bad planning." -- Roald Amundsen

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by Clifford on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 08:02:42 PM MST
(User Info)

Is it a 3-wheel bandsaw? I think I have an old Sears Craftsman with 3 wheels. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get the right size of blades (Sears doesn't support their equipment)...

I am trying to remember the bandsaws I've seen. I think they typically have flat wheels (maybe bit of a taper on the leading edge to protect the teeth, but this could be wear too). I do, however, have a mini-belt-sander with a fairly intense cross section on the wheels... but, this may be because the sander belts wrap around some.

Check the alignment of your wheels, and make sure that your bushings are good. BTW... If you had metal wheels, the best place to get bronze bushings is from a bushing and bearing shop... NOT AT A SAW SHOP.

A friend gave my dad an old Montgomery Wards bandsaw (10" or so wheels). At some point, it had had a new lower wheel made out of wood.

Also, check the bandsaw guides. You can actually get quite fancy ones with rollers.

I like the idea of an inner tube... get the right size and you can cut a ring and rubber cement it down. Do it oversized then trim with a razorblade. If the wheels are small, try "dumpster diving" at your local motorcycle shop. However, the rubber may be a little soft. I think most of the rubber wheels on bandsaws are quite hard. Not sure of a good source. You could try shoegoo. But it would be hard to make a perfect ring.

You could try leather... taper the end and make sure the rotation is right so it doesn't come off and then glue it down.

Not sure of a good source of very hard rubber.

Oh, I got it... You could try an automotive serpentine belt... glue it groves down. Probably the most traction with a new one, but could try cleaning a used one. Maybe you could find other drive belts. I think laser printers have some in them.

---- CK -----

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by terry5732 on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 09:31:40 PM MST
(User Info)

All the band saws I ever worked with had a tracking knob that adjusted the angle of the wheel to make the blade ride right on it. If the wheel is slightly off, off comes the blade. The curved surface could negate this some, but you would still have to be close to true. I sorta like plodding away with the cheapy scroll saw.

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by 12AX7 (++++mw_meyer++++@++verizon.net+++++) on Tue Jan 17th, 2006 at 09:48:52 PM MST
(User Info)

I've seen many different setups.

and to sum it up, I beleive blades (like belts) attempt to ride a "crown"

The oldest bandsaws I played with had wooden wheels with a very tough rawhide strip acting as the crown. (the strip being center on the circumfrence of the wheel)

Re: my band saw broke (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by frogvalley (mark at frogvalley dot com) on Wed Jan 18th, 2006 at 07:18:22 AM MST
(User Info) http://www.frogvalley.com

Yes, all belts, bands or what have you ride the crown. I have tons of flat leather belts and overhead line shafts to prove that. And all bandsaws that I own and have seen ,and I have seen a lot, have crowns and not a straigt angle as per the above drawing. I too have an older Sears type 10" three wheeler, they were made by a single chinese factory under many name plates, Sears, Central Machinery, Nu Way? blah blah. Its wheels have a curved top surface NOT and angle like that. They don't have the backstop as the drawing does, but I suspect that is just created by over wear of the wheels and not designed that way, I could be wrong. Mine has metal tires with rubber. I do have a metal cutting bandsaw that has a similar backstop to prevent the blade slipping off the back, but it too has a curved surface or crown that allows the blade ride near but not against the ridge.

Clifford Wrote- "I think I have an old Sears Craftsman with 3 wheels. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get the right size of blades (Sears doesn't support their equipment)... "

A simple modification will allow the use of commonly available blades(at sears and other places). Rework the top adjustment to make the tire or wheel run closer to the upper case. There is a blade size that is slightly longer that is everywhere, and by cutting the little piece by about 1/4 or 1/2 you can fit the longer blade with no trouble.

Look carefully at this, I ain't responsible if you mess it up, but it certainly worked for me. Email me offlist if anyone wants more about this mod.

[ Parent ]

my band saw broke | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 editorial)

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