DW 3401 Bandsaw

[ciderman]

Hi
I have just bought a Band saw. A DW3401 , and I am really surprised that it does not have a bearing to take the thrust at the back of the blade when cutting.
the blade moves back about 15mm when cutting, is it only the tension which supports the blade?
what should the tension be?
am I missing something?
thanks

 

[lurker]

If you google "DW3401 manual" you should be able to download one and a parts list.

from that you should be able to see whats missing

 

[lurker]

This is a very similar saw
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/Products/Do ... RegionID=1

look at items 16 &17
I think thats whats lacking
If just the bearing is missing (or only partly there) you can get one easily from a loacal bearing supplier or evil bay

 

[Lons]

What Lurker said is exactly right. I had the 3501 which is just the variable speed version and definitely a rod with bearing rear blade supports.

If you can't find a manual, pm me and I'll see if I have it on pdf. I sold the bandsaw 18 months ago but tend to keep stuff and I'm sure I scanned the manual for someone

cheers
Bob

 

[ciderman]

Thanks Chaps.

 

[ciderman]

Thanks Chaps.

On My Machine parts 16 and 17 are on the side of the blade, not the back
I'll have a look later on....

 

[lurker]

The back of the blade should be running on the flat of the bearing ...... I can't see how not as there is no room in there.

By the way I replaced the side guides on mine for a hard wood piece of wood...... They were mild steel

 

[Lons]

The back of the blade should be running on the flat of the bearing ...... I can't see how not as there is no room in there.

By the way I replaced the side guides on mine for a hard wood piece of wood...... They were mild steel

+1 for the bearing
Likewise, I used lignum vitae for my side guides

 

[ciderman]

This is a very similar saw
http://service.dewalt.co.uk/Products/Do ... RegionID=1

look at items 16 &17
I think thats whats lacking
If just the bearing is missing (or only partly there) you can get one easily from a loacal bearing supplier or evil bay

Oh, those are the side roller bearing- just had a look and I still cannot see what is wrong- called Dewalt and they said the tension stops it moving... what sort of tension do they mean?

 

[lurker]

You have tensioned the blade by using the orange knob on the top to take out the side play?
If yes then de Walt are wrong!
When set up the back of the blade should be just touching the side of the bearing.
You adjust this via a small locking grub screw that enables you to move that rod back and forth

By the way you realise there is another set below the table too?

 

[ciderman]

You have tensioned the blade by using the orange knob on the top to take out the side play?
If yes then de Walt are wrong!
When set up the back of the blade should be just touching the side of the bearing.
You adjust this via a small locking grub screw that enables you to move that rod back and forth

By the way you realise there is another set below the table too?

Realisation of error: the roller bearings were set by previous user to sides of blade- my old saw had the blade running on the convex side of the bearing- this is meant to run on the flat...
doh.

 

[lurker]

Great!

Trust you have been looking around this forum and therefore know there is only one place to buy some blades?