Hi,
I use a 15″ General bandsaw and to tell you the truth I’m a little bit timid about using it.
How much wheel vibration should there be? The top wheel vibrates up and down on the blade tensioning spring 1/8 to 1/4″. I’m using a 1/2″ blade with the tensioning spring set for a 3/8″ blade. My cuts are very light – 1/2″ thk cedar boards. Sometimes the saw seems to run at a critical vibration frequency and the vibration gets a lot worse.
I have checked the wheel and motor bearings and there does not appear to be a problem.
Do I need to worry or is this normal?
Help would be very much appreciated,
Terry
Replies
Hey Terry,
The answer is little to none.
Okay, let's recheck some stuff. Take the blade off and spin the top wheel. Does it sound smooth and nice? No crunching, no funny rotational noises? If so, great. Then put some tension on the spring and see that the wheel does indeed move up as you compress the spring. Spin the wheel again and listen for noises. While you're there look at the tires. Nicely crowned I hope?
Put your blade back on and make sure it's tracking fine on the wheels. Get enough tension on it so when you hold the blade with one finger at the blade guard and pluck the other side of the blade near the neck with another finger, you get a nice mid-range ping. In fact, start at zero tension and try this. You'll hear a dull plunk. As you tension the blade, if indeed it is tensioning, the sound should get higher. I usually run my 3/8" blades at 1/2" tension. But don't trust the saw's gauge. It could be way off. Trust your ear and then trust your eye.
The saw blade should run smooth with no vibration noticeable in its travel. If it's vibrating, try adjusting the tension to see if you can pull that movement out.
Your final double check should be to see that your rear thrust bearings and side guides aren't causing any funny movement as the blade passes by them. Back them way off for starters and then sneak them up on a good fit: about the thickness of a piece of paper.
My guess is that you don't get enough tension on this wheel, but try this stuff. I know that on my old band saw, it used to take a 100" blade. Now it takes a 99" blade because the spring is worn out. No big deal. It's still a great saw.
I'm out of town for a few days but I'll check back next week. Gary
Terry
When I Bought My 15" Gen eral Bandsaw The Motor Mounting Set-up
Was Completely Hashed It Had To Be Rebuilt In Order To Get Tension On The Belt
A Link Belt Is In The Plans
But This Machine Is One Of The Worst SHAKERS I've Every Seen
Terry,
You have to isolate then. Run it with no blade on and watch and listen for vibration. That may be your problem given the motor mount issue. There should be none in the motor. If you have vibration there, this will translate into one shaking monster. Run the motor all by itself and make sure it's running true. If you can check the run-out at the motor shaft. Little to none is what you're after. .001"-.002" Then make sure the belts line up, that the bearings on the wheels run true, again checking run-out. Work your way up from the motor and check each section individually and then as a working group. Good luck. Gary
Tomman,
Thank you. The motor mount is a problem for me too.
Terry
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