electro-Beckham bandsaw

[hammer n nails]

hi my bandsaw has stopped working when you press the start button it just seems to buzz but if you help the blade a bit it bursts into life any ideas?, the blade moves freely and the is no restrictions that i can see any help on this would be welcome

 

[CHJ]

Check/Replace the motor start/run capacitor, most likely cause.

 

[hammer n nails]

hi chas i dont have a clue about the electrics does this mean i will have to remove the motor or is it located in the flat box attached to the motor sorry to seem dull

 

[MMUK]

On the EB gear, the start capacitor is usually a big red cylinder attached to the side of the motor casing with a braided flying lead going into the junction box

 

[CHJ]

Most likely within the connection box on the side of the motor.

When buying replacement make sure it is the same working voltage or greater and a "Run" type which will have better working tolerances than a 'start' rated unit.

Probably something like This Item
I've dealt with this company and always been satisfied.

 

[hammer n nails]

thank you guys will go take a look at it tomorrow now you have explained where it is i should be able to manage that thanks again

 

[Smithy]

Hi. I had exactly the same problem. I dealt with powertoolspares.com. I spoke to them over the phone to make sure I had the right capacitor. Excellent service and solved the problem instantly. On their website they have a full diagram of the bandsaw which is really helpful when trying to locate parts

Mike

 

[hammer n nails]

well fitted the new capacitor still the same you have to help the blade then it runs ok looked at the drive belt seems ok i wonder could it be the drive belt? gave it all a good clean ran the machine with no blade .....yes it works fires up straight away fiddled with the drive belt attached the blade started up first time but after that you had to help the blade again should i replace the drive belt it does not look that worn running out of ideas now anyone got any suggestions please

 

[CHJ]

Before the problems started did your motor by any chance give a loud click when slowing when stopping or during the start sequence.

Just exploring the possibility that the motor has an internal centrifugal switch in the capacitor circuit, if this is not making contact with the motor stationary the start winding will not be energised.

Would be surprised if this is the problem but it is a remote possibility.

 

[aesmith]

Worn bearings? Just wondering if the blade tension might be making the bearings bind on one of the wheels. How does it feel if you turn the wheels by hand with the blade tensioned, compared to with the blade removed? How about with the blade tensioned but the drive belt removed. Seems to me it could be (1) something stiff so it needs more power than it should or (2) weak motor not producing enough power or (3) inability to transmit motor power to the blade.

 

[hammer n nails]

there was no loud click and when you turn the wheel its very smooth no effort required i can still use the saw like this but its a pain having to turn the wheel but i cut some 3" oak with ease this afternoon

 

[CHJ]

If you spin the system in reverse to start does it then run in reverse?

This would indicate once and for all that the start winding circuit is open circuit, either from a broken connection, failed winding etc.
It would at least narrow down the checks needed by someone with a test meter to locate the problem.

 

[AES]

I hate to suggest this because no one else has - and it's really very obvious - BUT when I was new to a BS I inadvertently over-tightened the blade resulting in exactly the symptoms you describe. I now count the number of turns on the knob before starting (my machine has no tension indicator).

Is it possible the blade is over-tightened? Perhaps something in the tightening mechanism has moved (on my machine it's a really crude system)?

Just a (no doubt daft) idea.

AES

 

[hammer n nails]

hi again it does not start up when you spin in reverse will slacken the tension to see if its to tight will try that in the morning