I inherited, from my Uncle Vladamir, a wonderful old “Rockwell 14″ Bandsaw”. It is in decent shape but, having never owned a Bandsaw, I have some questions. Please forgive me if I don’t know all the terms.
The Blade is tracking fine along the tires. Dead center and staying that way. This is a 240 volt machine with a cast iron table and very solid steel frame and factory moveable base. It has the original fence and miter guage. I think it is from the 1950’s. It came to me with about 12 razor sharp blades and a Baldor motor. I have got the motor belts tracking against the pullies, got the motor correctly wired to 240, the saw’s fittings oiled and aligned.
My problem is getting the blade and the roller bearings to line up. The bearings are on shafts which can be adjusted in and out.
The upper bearing is on a round shaft which is held in place by a thumbscrew, and moves in and out by knurled knob at the back of the saw. This sucker is pretty much at the end of its range.
The bottom bearing is on a round shaft that moves in and out by a knurled knob on the front of the saw. It too is at the end of its range.
Here are my questions:
1. How can I move those bearings more forward so the bearing engages the side of the blade?
2. How much of the bearing should contact the side of the blade? I know the teeth will tear it up, so something less than full contact, but how much?
3. The round table insert is all out of whack. Where the saw blade should be (as evidenced by the slot on the insert) and where it is actually tracking are two different things. The blade is about a quarter inch to the right of the insert where it should be. I can’t see any adjustment here, except to have the blocks put pressure on the blade, which doesn’t seem like a good thing. The old manual says about a sixteenth away from the blade. How to I get the blade to fit the insert, or is that even a problem?
4. Are the bandsaw auxilary tables a good investment?
5. Any other good accessories that I should consider?
Thanks for all who respond.
Boris
“Sir, I may be drunk, but you’re crazy, and I’ll be sober tomorrow” — WC Fields, “Its a Gift” 1934
Replies
If I understand correctly from the problem you are describing, you trying to use the thrust bearing that is supposed to run on the back of the blade on the side of the blade. If you aren't familiar with bandsaws you should probably get a book or at least read a magazine article on the basics of bandsaw tune up, there's a lot to know.
Hope this helps, John
Yes, that is exactly what I am trying to do. The Rockwell manual says it is supposed to run on the side, but quite frankly John, the instructions are not clear, and I don't have them in hand this second. Let me get them tonight and see if that is what I am trying to do and if it is wrong.
Your point is well taken about a Bandsaw Book. I check with Amazon. I can not figure out why they are cheaper at Amazon that with Taunton.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Here's one place to start (reprinted article from FWW). Will see if there's another one out there with more on the guides per se.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks all for responding.
This is my first bandsaw, and yes, you are correct, the bearings go to the rear of the blade, not on the side.
I feel so stupid sometimes .............
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Agree with John's assessment and recommendation. Thrust bearings should only make contact with the back of the blade during cutting, never the sides of the blade; guide blocks should control sides. If blade tracks correctly, but doesn't align to table slot, something isn't set up correctly. Wheels may have spacers behind them, or????
Try getting a copy of the Band Saw Book by Gary Duginske (1989 Sterling, NY). Very good material on set-up and trouble shooting.
Jeff
Boris,
There is one resource of which you should perhaps be aware. Iturra Design, out of the Jacksonville, FL, area, is a maker of bandsaw aftermarket items which are superb. He has an 800 #, but I don't have it handy. If this is an older machine, one thing you should definitely think about is the replacing the blade tension spring with one of his. About $15 or so, and you can install it in about 3 min. or so. If you order from him, he will send you a "book" he has written on the history of the Delta 14", from which you will likely learn much. It is free. Don't be surprised if Mr. Iturra answers his own phone; it is a small family buisness - my favorite kind.
BTY, as to inserts, I can't comment on why your table insert isn't lining up, but there are replacement palstic inserts available from most of the mail order houses. About $10 for 3, or so. As to sapcing the guides to the blade, take a dollar bill, and put the paper of it on both sides of the blade, snug up the guides, and take out the paper. Should be about the right clearance.
Enjoy your new toy.
Iturra: 1-888-722-7078forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Thanks, and I did order the spring and a table insert from them.
I have never, ever used a band saw much, and this rascal has been sitting in my shop unused for about 9 months. Don't know why, it just never comes into play much.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
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