I am contemplating replacing the 3/4 hp motor on my 20-year-old 14″ enclosed stand Delta bandsaw to improve its performance when resawing. I have done some internet exploring in the hope of finding the appropriate 1.5 hp single phase, capacitor start capacitor run, TEFC motor for this purpose. I have found one of the same frame size made by GE at a price that seems reasonable, but it has a welded base rather than the resilient base of the original. The saw is pretty well tuned right now, with very low levels of vibration. Would a rigid base motor bolted to the mounting frame be problematic in any way–at start up or by adding more vibration while cutting? What do you recommend?
Replies
Resilient bases are used, and were primarily designed for, noise control, not for dampening mechanical vibration. It does no harm to use a resilient base motor on a woodworking machine, but it isn't required and not commonly done.
You will save yourself a lot of trouble with belt tensioning and pulley alignment, which is near impossible because of the poor design of the enclosed bases, by installing an adjustable length link belt when you change out the motor.
John White
Thanks for clearing up that question. I have a 3/8" link belt installed already. Am I correct in assuming that is heavy enough for the bigger motor?
Most saws use a 1/2" belt. Measure the width of the groove in the pulley. If it is 1/2" wide at the rim you should use the wider belt. A link belt rides high in a pulley's grooves, the back of the belt will be above the pulley's rim. In any case you will probably have better performance and better belt life if you use a 1/2" belt.John W.
Will do. thanks for your help.
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