I’m having trouble with my Craftsman bandsaw. It is about 30 years old. I’ve tuned it up, upgraded pulleys, v-belt, blade guides, etc. I’m running an Olson brand 1/2 inch blade. It runs OK (someday I’ll upgrade) except today it started throwing the blade. The blade won’t stay on the top wheel. The blade works its way forward after just a few revolutions of the wheel by hand. This problem has never happened before. There is some play in the bearings but no more than you would expect from a Craftsfman band saw. Is it possible that the tires need to be replaced? They don’t seem to be cracked but they don’t have much of a crown left on them.
Thanks.
Replies
Adjusting the tracking control doesn't make any difference? If you take the blade off can you tip the upper wheel to either side of vertical and does the tracking control also move the wheel to either side of vertical?
If this suddenly started happening, tire deterioration isn't all that likely a cause, but if the wheel is tilting properly then the tires are a possibility.
Trying a different blade is also worth doing and when you do change the blade start with the upper wheel vertical or slightly tilted back. Spin the wheels by hand as you increase the tension on the new blade and adjust the tracking to keep the blade centered as you increase the tension.
If you can, give me the model number of the saw so I know what style of machine you have.
John White
John-
Thanks very much for the quick response. I followed your advice and all seemed to be going well but I noticed the machine was getting louder and louder. I isolated the noise to the lower wheel. On inspection I discovered that the entire lower shaft was sliding about 3/4 of an inch in and out of the housing. I will need to tear down the machine to figure out why the lower shaft has so much play in it. I suspect that this play in the shaft was causing the initial problem of the blade not staying on.
Greg
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