Replies

1. 
   Ray | Apr 11, 2006 10:55pm | #1

   Unplug the saw and move the blade by hand to see if there's a "bump" in the drive or idler wheels. The upper wheel may be wobbling and just need to be tightened or adjusted. Watch the movement of the blade, drive wheel, and idler wheel while you're moving the blade. Hopefully the problem will become obvious in just a few minutes.

   Ray

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 12, 2006 01:44pm | #3

   Thank you Ray & John D.
   I don't know about the weld, because I have nothing to compare it to, although that would make sense. I can feel the weld (saw not running!), so I am not sure how good the weld needs to be. I'm sure that the supplied blade is junk, but it has worked so far.
   I did notice that the center "hub" on the upper wheel appears to be drilled a bit off center, although the outer rim appears true. I see no evidence of any balancing process. I have contacted Rigid, but I don't have high hopes. I will swap out the blade and see if that makes a difference. Any blade suggestions? Thanks Again!John

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 12, 2006 08:05pm | #4

   Definitely put a quality blade on it.  For a 14" saw, many people find that the Timber Wolf blades work great.  Since you are a self-proclaimed Newbie, I'd recommend you call them and let them help you pick out 3 or 4 blades to get started with.  Think about what kinds of cutting you'd like to do.

   Suffolk Machinery 1-800-234-7297forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 13, 2006 12:19am | #5

   Thanks FG,
   It's a funny thing, I've been at this twenty years and only now really needed a bandsaw. Would of liked a MM, but there are a lot of things that I would like :-). I read a little more and a suggestion was that the belt is too tight. I did set the belt pretty tight, figuring that it would stretch. Perhaps I overdid it. (Not new for me!) Thanks again.John

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 13, 2006 12:52am | #6

   I'm impressed that you were able to overtighten the belt.  I always struggle with these belts that are tightened by leveraging the motor.  Hope you found the problem!!  Try them-there Timber Wolf blades, you'll love 'em.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   JohnWW | Apr 13, 2006 02:51am | #7

   John,

   The center hub almost always looks off center on band saws because the wheels are castings and not perfectly concentric, but that is corrected when the wheel is machined.  As long as the rim is running without a wobble, the problem, if there is one, isn't likely to be with the wheel. 

   The wheels on these saws are typically balanced by drilling shallow holes, that are around 3/8"diameter, in the vertical flange that is just inside of the rim that the tire runs on.  The holes are almost always drilled on the side of the flange that can't be seen, but you will be able to feel them if you reach between the spokes and run your fingers along the inside of the flange.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

1. 
   JMartinsky | Apr 13, 2006 03:14am | #8

   Dear John,
   Thank you for your input, that sheds some light and some hope on this humble soul! I will check it out.Thnks Again,John

2. 
   John_D | Apr 11, 2006 11:05pm | #2

   In addition to what Ray mentioned, look at the blade when you're turning by hand.  A bad weld can cause flexing and vertical vibration, so look as the weld first touches, then leaves the wheel.

   My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
3. 
   royh | Apr 14, 2006 12:47am | #9

   Don't despair!  Some of us have the same saw, some don't, and have noticed the vibration(s) as well. Things I did were to move the motor to the back of the mounts (so you can open the lower door fully), installed a link belt (85% of the bad vibes gone, now), and talked to the Timberwolf folks (recommended by FG, and I 2nd it!) and got one their blades. Gangs of improvement for sure.

   Good luck!