Replies

1. 
   davidbrum | Jan 24, 2009 09:06pm | #1

   Howdy

   I swapped the motor on my generic 14" bandsaw last year. I went from a Chinese "1hp" motor to a US 1.5hp motor. The difference is huge. It easily gives as much power as you could want out of a saw this size.

   As far a eliminating vibration, I don't think the type of motor mount is important. My bandsaw easily passed the nickel test after I installed a link belt and aligned the pullies.

   One other thing to consider is getting a motor which will accept 220v, if you've got the capacity. You pretty much have to dedicate a 110v circuit with a bigger motor anyway, and you're much less likely to trip a breaker with 220.

   David B
1. 
   NoChecks | Jan 24, 2009 09:43pm | #2

   Wow! Thanks for the quick reply. I was planning a 220 volt installation, just did not mention it. Also, It is not so much for vibration as it is for the initial kick that the larger motor would have on start-up. I can not figure out why some saws have the resilient mount and some don't. I probably make too much of details, but have been burned before by not asking first. Thanks again for the help...this was my first post.

1. 
   davidbrum | Jan 24, 2009 11:44pm | #3

   Welcome to Knots!I can't think of any reason why a cushioned motor mount would be bad. My motor does kick a little when it starts up, so I can see how that might help. Maybe some rubber washers under the motor mount bolts? Please post something about your success if it does work.David B

2. 
   KeithNewton | Jan 25, 2009 06:06am | #5

   I think your concern is for a problem that does not exist. Any advice you get would be helped by your telling what size saw you have. Since you are going up in hp, you might also be able to go for more fpm if it is running at a slower speed now by speeding it up.

1. 
   NoChecks | Jan 25, 2009 03:27pm | #6

   Many thanks to David, Pete and Keith for their replies. Here is the missing information.
   The saw is a 14" Delta with 6" riser block. I wanted the power increase only for some re-sawing. I would probably leave the blade speed the same for now, as I would buy a 1725 (+/-) r.p.m. motor. Yes, the saw does work great for normal sawing, but an extremely large part of my enjoyment of woodworking comes from tweaking the tools.....The saw came with a resilient mount and I would rather re-install same. Here is the rub. The combination of 11/2 h.p.- 1725 r.p.m. - resilient mount - tefc -220v. - 5/8" shaft is proving difficult to locate. Resilient mount is apparently not available with tefc, only drip-proof. At least, I have yet to find it. Drip-proof is not sealed, as is tefc. Tefc is, however, available with rigid mount. Hence, here we are, back at the start. Is resilient mount worth the hassle? Probably not, but isn't this fun??
   My hats off to you all for putting up with me.......two wives didn't.Bob

   Edited 1/25/2009 9:45 am ET by NoChecks

1. 
   PeteBradley | Jan 26, 2009 04:12am | #7

   Assuming you've got everything dialed in, you're not going to see enough difference with a bigger motor to justify the considerable outlay. Also, the mount will be virtually meaningless. My recommendation if you're looking for something to tweak is to find an old Delta 28-350 20", a Walker-Turner 16", or if you can handle the size or weight respectively, a Powermatic 20" or an oliver. Don't spend more than $500 on any of them, you'll really want to start at less if possible. Rebuilt and tuned up, they'll out-resaw your current machine which you can then keep for small/fine work.Once you've got that done, you can move on to the next one, and before long, you'll be sliding full-tilt down the slope. Check out http://www.owwm.com for more information and ideas.

2. 
   PeteBradley | Jan 25, 2009 04:41am | #4

   I don't think the mount matters much. 14" band saws came with solid mounts for decades and many still do.

   3/4 should run that saw fine though. You don't say what problem you're trying to solve with the bigger motor, but using a band with excessively fine teeth is a common cause of a band saw seeming underpowered. A 3/8"X4TPI thin kerf band should be great on that saw.

   Pete