JET bandsaw slide bracket problem
Can’t figure out what’s wrong with my JET JWBS-14DXPRO bandsaw. Bought it new several years ago but it has been lightly used or in storage for most of that time. Finally got a proper shop set up and I just noticed this problem:
With the blade tension 100% released, the slide bracket lowers until it hits the cutout in the inner wheel guard. The pointed tip of the jack screw never makes contact with the upper frame casting. The slide bracket, hinge, spring, jack screw, etc. all look to be in perfect condition.
I thought perhaps the guard was mounted on slotted holes and could be adjusted downward, but that’s not the case. I could make adjustments to the (factory-set) position of the stop collar on the jack screw to cause the slide bracket to sit higher, but I hesitate to monkey with factory config until I understand more. I expect this would throw off the blade tension at a minimum, and besides that, the wheels are already 31” on center. I would expect there to be a good 1/8” to 1/4” gap between the slide bracket and the guard cutout, but if the slide bracket was raised up that much, I doubt I could get the blade mounted even with the tension at zero. As it is, with tension released, it’s a little snug to get a 105” blade on and off the tires.
Elsewhere online, someone told me the had a similar issue with a Delta bandsaw, and solved it by hitting the guard with a bit of die grinder. That just doesn’t seem like the right solution to me.
I have to wonder if this was a manufacturing defect that I never encountered due to its ultra-low use all this time. Like maybe JET shipped a few saws with the guard mixed up with a different model? Or maybe I’m just missing something. Anyone else run into this sort of thing?
If someone else has a 14DXPRO, could you post some detail pics for comparison?
Replies
It looks like the cutout in the shroud never expected a fully released position. Seems they really missed the QA step if a 105" blade is spec'd but, is unable to be put on at a slightly less extreme position.
The quick fix would be to buy a 105-1/2" or 106" blades when your current batch wear out. Grinding out that section on a stamped steel shell will vary the strength here and there but, I do not think that will effect the operational integrity of the saw.
I have/had the same problem with my 14" PowerMatic with a riser block. I called PowerMatic many many times and got NO WHERE. I marked the cover just a little below the point of contact. I then cut the material out using a Dremel. I actually cut a little too much but no biggie. You will need to remove blade, wheel and the upper cover.
When shopping woodworking stores in my area I finally saw the hole was made larger by Jet/PowerMatic.
For what it's worth, on my Jet-JWBS-14CS the slide bracket fits behind the sheet metal on the inner wheel cover. I do have a riser block and blade tension relief device from Carter installed.
I have a Ridgid 14 inch that had the exact same issue. It looks to be the exact same saw, probably made in the same factory. I'm sorry, but I can't recall now what I did to fix it.
It's not you, it's bad design.
That photo is exactly what my saw was doing. The tracking knob was very very hard to turn because the top housing was in the way, hole too small.
Your saw is newer than mine and has the extra hight capacity built in (riser block not needed). Mine has the Carter release, yours has the Jet release. There's not $50 difference between the two saws. You actually for the better deal. Enlarge the hole so the adjuster will clear and the saw will work better for you.
You may have used a blade that was a tad longer. That would clear the hole in the cover. I almost did that, but the adjuster behind the cover could run out of travel room. That's why I cut the hole a bit larger. Not real pretty but only I know it's there.
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