Hello to All,
As anyone had any trouble with there Steel City 18″ bandsaw motor tripping or burning out? I bought one a year and a half ago but only have had time to set up shop in the last month or so.
Now that I’m ready to give it a good workout, I often find the motor tripping it’s breaker on start- up or after a few seconds, sometimes accompagnied by a buzzer sound. I’ve heard of this type of problem only once from another SC BS owner but I thought that he was unlucky and got a lemon. So here I am asking myself if I’m going to making lemonade… This other owner also mentionned trouble setting up a 1/8” blade and all of this with the visite of a technician.
As anyone else had similar experiences?
Thanks to all,
Sébastien
Replies
It could quite likely be a problem with the shop wiring to the machine, not the saw itself.
John W.
Thank you for the swift reponse,
I'm looking it up as it is. Since the electrician has to come back anyway, I'll have the circuit strongly beefed-up ( 8ga) and see.
Again Thank you,
Sébastien
This bandsaw has a 2 hp. motor that draws something under 11 amps on a 220v circuit. It should be fine if it's the only load on a 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire, assuming there isn't something unusual like very long runs. Your electrician can tell you about that. If house wiring is the culprit is is more likely that the breaker is defective rather than the wire guage is insufficient. I'd certainly have that replaced before I'd run wire heavy enough to take a 40 amp breaker.
I'd also unplug the saw and see that the wheels turn smoothly and quietly by hand.
Thank you very muchn for your input,
I'm taking everything as much as possible under consideration.
Seb.
I ran 12 gauge with 20 amp breaker on the 220 line and circuit that operates my BS... I have another line that I did ran 10 gauge with a 30 amp breaker that runs my 5 HP machines. The BS is only 11 amp as Steve stated and I have not had a problem with it period.
Is the BS tripping the breaker also? On the rare occasions mine cut off, it simply tripped the internal over-load and not the breaker. All I had to do was mash the Re-set button down on the motor housing casing and was ready to go. I did wait about 5 minutes most times to let it cool, even though it might not have been necessary.
I am not aware of any problems with the 18" which I have. I still think it could be your circuit if the breaker is going. If not the circuit I feel it most likely would be a faulty over-load switch which is easy to replace from looking at mine. Again I am assuming you have the 18"?
Good luck...
Sarge..
I've been putting the saw through it's paces all evening, trying to get a feel for the problem. It happened twice during that time so it's not that bad and it's always the motor's breaker that trips. The saw as always been connected to the electrical panel by a 12ga 25' wire and the 20 amp breaker in the panel as never tripped.
I should be talking with a technician shortly and have a beefier wire/breaker put in. I'm just glad that this problem isn't rampant among owner's.
Thanks again for your time and willingness to share.
Sébastien
I have the saw shut down on a couple of occsaions. Once when I intentioanally was re-sawing to fast in 10" wide oak and several times when over-taxing it with tall re-saw by running it continously for several hours.
And another time when I forgot to set re-set the guides when I had made a blade change. The blade got twisted a bit and was making a God awful sound against the bearing.. Before I could hit the kill switch.. it just tripped itself. My over-sight and stupidity on that one.
But.. in all cases, I just hit the Re-set button on the back and got a cup of coffee to let it cool back to running temperature. It yours is tripping on start-up, John W. may be on it with a wiring problem.. or something is not set right and you are overl-loading it (which is not likely from start up even though mine did trip with the twisted blade shortly after start up).. or you may have a wiring defect.
If all else seems OK.. call Steel City for a technicians take as if there has been a problem with a defective internal electrical part.. they will know. But the "buzzer" you mentioned has me puzzled. I would call SC.
Sarge..
Edited 1/22/2008 2:52 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47
Hello,
I've e-mailed SC and called the distributor to see what they knew on there side. I've also pulled out the straight edge and micrometer to see if moving it in it's new position might have shifted something. I'm just curious to see if it's something perticular to this set up, in which case a solution will eventuely turn up or is it something perticular to the model. If it's the latter, than this discussion might also be beneficial to others.
Thank you very much for your time,
Sébastien
Even at 11 amps, it is not uncommon to have a peak surge on start-up that can approach a 20 amp load. Most well designed breakers do not trip on this fast transient (some circuit protectors, like those used for sensitive computer or scientific measuring equipment will trip).I have the SC 18" BS tied into a 20 amp, 12 g circuit and I have not tripped either the internal protection circuit or my breaker in over a year of frequent use.I too would suspect the wiring to the saw as the likeliest culprit. If the wire gauge is 12 or better, if the wiring is correct (hot, neutral, ground in order), and if swapping out the breaker with a new one does not correct the problem, then I would look at the saw for a wiring issue.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
It's good to hear that these bandsaws can be reliable because, apart from said problem, I really like it. I've double check everything, reread the owner's manual, changed blades... but everything seems fine. Than again, I'm no electrician.
Thank you for taking the time to reply,
Sébastien
On 220v for this saw there is no neutral - just two hots (+ ground).
The SC 18" is equipped with a 15A plug (at least on my fall 2007 saw). If it is on a 20A circuit the breaker should never trip.DA
The goal is not to look professional but to be professional.
You're right, it is 220V.Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
"I bought one a year and a half ago but only have had time to set up shop in the last month or so. " Even if it is the motor, based on my experience with Steel City customer service, they will stand behind the machine and get things set right.
They have a great reputation and it's one of there big selling points for me. I've e-mailed them earlier today so I just have to wait and see.
Thank you for sharing your experience with SC,
Sébastien
Let me know if it is not resolved by the week-end Sebastian, even though I feel it will be. It really doesn't sound as if it's the breaker or gauge, as 12 gauge and 20A is more than sufficient. But.. I'm no electrician either. I suspect a faulty internal breaker which is an easy fix.
Like I said, let me know if not resolved by late week, as I will see and talk to Scott Box (VP of Steel City) this week-end at the Atlanta WW Show. And.. if not back up and running.. send me an e-mail with your name.. address.. and phone number by no latter than this Friday! OK..
You have a 5 Year Warranty.. and when they say 5 years, they mean 5 Years. ha.. ha...
Sarge..
I must say that I am very taken by this willingness to help. It's rare in these times. However, and don't get me wrong; I really do appreciate the offer, aside from knots I'll have to fixes this on my own IF I have the time. The madness of work should start again anytime now with no guaranties of time off. Just to give you an idea, last year I worked around 2400 hrs in 8 months time. During that time it's work, eat, sleep in that order and not much else. No much sense in getting a ball rolling if nobody there to catch it.
You are a fine example of what Knots all about,
Sébastien
1. That's quite a work schedule. And you took up WWing to while away your spare time? (LOL)2. As Sarge says, it's a 5 year warranty. I hope you'll be able to get a chance to use your BS enough in the next 4 to figure out and resolve the problem. Then again, if you have so little time to spend in your work shop, you sure don't want to spend it troubleshooting equipment...Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Thanks and you're quite welcome, Sebastain. 75 hours a week, huh! Whoa... I'm going to take a nap just thinking about that at this stage of life. Once upon a time I would often do 65 and in Vietnam many more, but I hope you get that out of the way early in life so you can enjoy something other than work.
Again.. let me know what evolves so I can respond as stated...
Regards...
Sarge..
Got a call this morning from the technician via my distributor. Within 24 hrs is what I call very good service. Here's what he said loosely translated from french:
There are some motors that have a safety breaker mounted directly on it. These safeties are 12 amps and tend to get more and more fragile as they get tripped. These have since gotten replaced on newer models by a 20 amp replacement. I was told their is however no danger to the motor itself.
Thank you to all who have put in their experience and knowledge. Hope this post can be of future service.
Sébastien
Knowledge: So hard to acquire but often given away freely. Beautiful.
Thanks Sebastien.. I see you spell your name with a tien instead of tian, so sorry I mis-spelled it.
And good info as I'm going to get me one of those 20 A breakers for my early machine and I have a feeling I won't pay for it. ha.. ha...
Regards for the day sir...
Sarge..
I don't know much about you Sebastian, but you win the award for the most polite member of Knots.
Good morning Ron...
I had to do some digging when I got your e-mail. I did not realize if was an e-mail even though a standard alert as to someone posted to you does not contain a message. I deleted it before I came to that realization, but I did find you as I have conversed with you before. MY computer skills are lacking, I am afraid.
Your question was.. how does the SC 18" or 20" BS with small blades perform as you generally rip and re-saw, but your wife does curves?...
And a good question that should be thought about when purchasing a larger BS, IMO. I will answer as candidly as possible and hopefully Glaucon and some others that have the SC 18" will chime in.
You specifically mentioned a 1/4" blade. My answer is.. I'm not sure and and will give an explanation of why. I currently have a 3/8" blade on board made specifically for cutting wet wood. It's the first time I have ever put under a 1/2" blade on board. And the BS took it fine... after... after... I re-set the guides back maximum to accommodate the gullet as I prefer the bottom of gullet just a hair beyond the front of the guide.
The problem was that it just made that position with the 3/8" blade. I am not sure that there be no difficulty with a 1/4" blade clearing that gullet as I prefer. Maybe some put the gullet farther back.. just not me as I want those teeth to clear the bearing when stock meets the blade and forces it back to the rear bearing.
Most larger BS's have larger bearing to accommodate larger blades that are more suitable for ripping and re-sawing. On a Mini-max.. you have to switch to smaller guides (which are sold separately) to accommodate under a 1/2" blade. Laguna and Aggi share the same problems with various fixes possible.
I also prefer a 1/4" hook blade to cut curves. I rarely go under 3/16". I took what I have said into consideration before I purchased a larger BS as my main concerns with it were re-saw and thick rips. In lieu of selling my excellent little Jet 12" to absorb the price, I decided to keep it and leave a 1/4" blade on board. It is on a home-made mobile base.
That was one of the wisest decisions I have ever made. The little Jet is fantastic with curves and the SC get the heavy duty call. I don't have to change blades. Put a feather in my cap on this one for thinking the thing through before I dumped the smaller saw. Perfect for me anyway as both see quite a bit of duty.
Sorry I can't answer your question fully... but if the majority of your work is curves... I personally would consider a beefed up 14" or 16" with power and good guides though smaller. I am hoping that others that have the saw will chime in to dispute my opinion on this one as I have not fully explored the situation with smaller blades due to I don't have the need personally.
Good luck and do what is best for you...
Sarge..
Sarge,Thanks for the straight-up reply. I've looked at the 16" SC, which I think would almost certainly be able to easily deal with a 1/4" blade but I don't want to tackle ripping and resawing hardwood with a 1.5 HP motor.Regards,Ron (ex-Chief)
Edited 1/23/2008 5:52 pm ET by RonInOttawa
Hey Ron...
Many have used a 1 1/2HP.. but I would also prefer a 2 or better if you are going to do some serious re-saw or ripping. And that's the problem as two BS's is the real answer for me. And with that said....
You might be on the look-out for a used 14" as they are plentiful around here and go relatively cheap. And when you get "her" out-fitted for curves (women are just built better for curves.. :>), then you can pursue the big en's for your task. Just a thought as I would not sell my smaller saw now unless someone just wanted to get really stupid with their money. ha.. ha...
And I have to ask as my curiosity has been aroused... What's with the ex-Chief?.... Police.. fire department.. Tribe.. etc.
Sarge..
I bet it's squid. Many people think that admirals run the navy but it's really the chiefs.
------------------------------------
It would indeed be a tragedy if the history of the human race proved to be nothing more than the story of an ape playing with a box of matches on a petrol dump. ~David Ormsby Gore
And it never crossed my mind, DG A post to an ex-Sarge from ex-chief. One and one very well may equal 2 and if so.. brillant. ha.. ha...
Sarge...
USN 1967-74. Four tours over there!But we digress. . .
Edited 1/23/2008 10:27 pm ET by RonInOttawa
Thanks for your service, Ron. DG had this one figured out in a flash.
Highest Regards...
Sarge.. 75th Ranger Reg. VN.. 68-69
Deleted -- I see you got a call. That's great! I'm with Sarge, I'd get the heftier motor breaker.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 1/23/2008 12:22 pm by forestgirl
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled