Bandsaw Howling- help?

EBrandt | Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on June 12, 2003 05:12am

Hey all-

I have a delta 14″ platinum edition bandsaw w/ riser block and carter bearing guides. I have run it with a couple different Timberwolf blades of various widths. So far with all of them, I experience a howl coming from the machine, sometimes while sawing, sometimes when the machine is just running not under load. Its a pretty loud harmonic-type howl, sort of like ghosts make in halloween cartoons or scooby-doo cartoons. I have varied the tension (original tension spring) to well above and well below the setting for the width blade I am using, without effect. I have adjusted and checked the carter blade guides, and they are not the problem either I don’t think. The wheels are relatively in-line with each other, within 1/8″.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Anything in particular I should look for in diagnosing it? Its my opinion that with this saw, I ought to be able to saw and have it run whisper smooth, unless I bind or side-load the blade or something.

Thanks in advance….

Eric.

BTW, I have an iturra catalog on the way, so no need to recommend I get one of those 🙂

Replies

jimmyk | Jun 12, 2003 05:41pm | #1
Is it louder than all other bandsaws? I've never really heard a quiet bandsaw.
Jamie_Buxton | Jun 12, 2003 06:30pm | #2
For a test, try pushing both the thrust bearings back so they no longer touch the blade.
mike4244 | Jun 12, 2003 08:17pm | #3
I got something similar when starting up the saw, and slightly less noisy when shutting off. I sprayed DriCote on the running blade, not for the squealing sound but to reduce friction. I noticed the squeal dissapeared. Try it , might eliminate your noise.

I do not know how long it will last, as I only tried this a few days ago.
EdHarrison | Jun 13, 2003 11:09pm | #4
Eric,

Here's a dumb question and I may have missed something but could it be from a pulley or the motor shaft? This idea comes not from being a bandsaw operator but from years of flying helicopters where "howls" came from areas where shafts rotated on bearings and were the precursors to major maintenance and component changes.

I've got a Ridgid 14 inch BS and it runs pretty quiet. The good news is that if it is something major like the motor, I've heard that Delta's service is good and will do you right. Good luck, Ed
RANGERP75R | Jun 14, 2003 10:05pm | #5
Eric

Still howling even under no load. I would reccomend spraying the blade with Pam. That will usually eliminate the howl when under load. If it's howling when you're not cutting stock, you probaly have some kind of alignment problem.

Check your bearing, etc. to see if you have one frozen. Check wheel alignment and make sure the pulley bolts or nuts have not backed out an the pulley is slipping on the shaft. Go over it with a fine tooth comb and check all mechanical points for mis-aligned bearing, pulleys wheels. Check the belts to be sure they have not over-heated and crystalized.

Good luck...

sarge..jt
WorkshopJon | Jun 15, 2003 06:00pm | #6
Eric,

The howling is in all liklyhood being caused by the blade guide bearings spinning. When running under no load, they should just ever so slightly be turning. You may have a bad one, or they may simply be out of adjustment. If you post a pic or two someone here could tell you.

Jon