Replies

1. 
   Dan | Aug 09, 2005 04:31am | #1

   Aloha,

   Rockwell is essentially Delta now and I assume it is a 10" bandsaw.  This would be the distance from the frame to the blade.  Anyway, it doesn't make a lot of difference, you will have to do a bit of troubleshooting.  With the blade removed , the wheels should turn freely.  If you give them a spin, they should continue spinning for a while.  I belive this is a direct drive to the bottom wheel so that wheel won't spin as easy as the top one.

   You should definitely get some information on adjusting the blade tracking and tension, the guide blocks, and the blade support bearing.  I'd suggest going to the Delta website and download the instruction book for the Delta 10" bandsaw.  There hasn't been a lot of change made to the 14" bandsaw over the years and I assume the same is true for the 10".  Though the adjusters may look a little different, the principles are the same. 

   Mistakes are but an opportunity for fresh design!
2. 
   jericho | Aug 09, 2005 04:38am | #2

   matt,

   this is your woodworking boot camp. just off hand, the blade is probably shot. kinda like that kid in 'deliverance', not too many good teeth left. it's probably wandering through the cut doing its best to gum its way through.

   back to the boot camp theme. take this opportunity/challenge to learn about motors. pulleys. blades, guides, etc.

   is this what you have?http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=1785

   jericho

3. 
   AlanWS | Aug 09, 2005 06:36pm | #3

   There are many people who love old woodworking machines, and who will provide information, sources, and encouragement as you fix it up. Check out the old woodworking machines site: http://www.owwm.com/

4. 
   sawdust | Aug 10, 2005 08:29pm | #4

   I had an old Craftsman 10 inch bandsaw that ran so badly that I about to give up on it when I received the November/December issue of FWW.  On pages 66 thru 71 is the best article I have ever read on the subject.  I followed the instructions and the bandsaw is now able to cut 4 inch wide boards 14 inches long and not vary more than 0.012 anywhere.  It runs smoothly, quietly, and cuts with almost no effort.  Follow the article carefully and especially the part about where and what kind of blades to buy.  If you can not get the article, contact me and I will copy it and send it to you.

1. 
   strausehouse | Aug 11, 2005 03:15am | #5

   I have a new jet 14" bandsaw and needed to add a washer to the top wheel to make the wheels co-planar. The top wheel has two pressed in ball bearings, and after I added the washer to the inside of the wheel, as I tighten the nut to the wheel axle, the wheel tightens and won't spin well. Should I put some threadlock on the restraining nut and snug it, or am I doing something wrong when adding the washer. The washer by the way is small enough to only run on the inside race of the bearing, and not put pressure on the entire side of the bearing.

   Thanks for your ideas

   Edited 8/10/2005 11:43 pm ET by strausehouse

5. 
   SawdustSteve | Aug 11, 2005 05:44pm | #6

   Hi Matt and welcome to the board. If the saw was stored in a barn, there is probably rust inside the bearings and the motor. Don't give up yet on the saw. With a bit of work it can be a good item for your shop. There are several good books out there on setting up your bandsaw. Find any of them and play around. You can only improve the operating ability of the saw at this point. Untill the saw is working, don't bother with adjusting the co-planer adjustment of the wheels. It will be the last item as it is also the most dificult of the adjustments to do. Are there any woodworking clubs in your area?? Some clubs have a bandsaw guru who can give you a hand with the saw. By the way, where are you located??
   SawdustSteve Long Island, NY (50 miles E. of NYC)

1. 
   matthew1 | Aug 12, 2005 02:10am | #8

   Thank you for the advise. I'm sure that this will be a good learning experience. I live in Minneapolis and I'm not sure about woodworking clubs in the area.

1. 
   SawdustSteve | Aug 12, 2005 06:14am | #10

   Matt..... Here's a woodworking club in your area. Give them a tryMinnesota Woodworkers Guild, Inc.
   4748 Abbott Avenue South
   Minneapolis, MN 55410
   Home page: http://www.minnesotawoodworkersguild.com SawdustSteve

6. 
   mvac | Aug 11, 2005 11:22pm | #7

   Hi Matt, and welcome. You'll soon find that this can be an addictive place to visit.

   Re: your bandsaw, I'd recommend the following in addition to all of the great advice you've gotten so far:

   • Get Lonnie Bird's "The Bandsaw Book," which has an entire section on repairing and resurrecting saws;
   • Check, or have someone knowledgeable check, to make sure your motor is running well. Assuming it is, I imagine you'll need new tires in addition to other new parts;
   • Call Tom at Suffolk Machinery, which produces Timber Wolf BS blades. Their number is (800) 234-7297. Timber Wolf is acknowledged as one of the better blades on the market. Besides that, I've spoken with Tom several times about the right kind of blade to get for my particular saw and for specific applications, as well as for information regarding conditioning my saw. This guy is happy to help folks out. He'll certainly have some ideas.
   • Whether it's Timber Wolf or some other brand (do not buy from HD or Lowes), get a new blade right away.

   Take your time. You need to learn some fundamentals first, and if you don't rush you're likely to find the process rewarding; if you do, you'll quickly become frustrated with what can be such an enjoyable activity.

   Hope that helps,

   Mitch

   "I'm always humbled by how much I DON'T know..."

1. 
   matthew1 | Aug 12, 2005 02:12am | #9

   Thank you for the reply, and I really appreciate the advise about taking my time and enjoying it.

7. 
   PlaneWood | Aug 12, 2005 06:19am | #11

   How well do the main wheels spin without a blade on and the drive belt disconnected?  They should freewheel for quite a while.

   I had to pull those on my bandsaw out and clean and grease them.  The dust covers on the bearings popped off easily so I soaked the bearings in lacquer thinner overnight, cleaned them out good, and put in regular grease from my grease gun.  After that, the wheels spun by hand pretty as you please!

   New tires for the wheels and new guide bearings for the blade and it has been working great for the last 5 years.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood