Is a Bandsaw inherently noisy.....?

[Jensmith]

Or is it just mine?

It really rumbles away and Paul says you can hear it throughout the house when it's going so I'm wondering if this is a common problem or if it's just mine and can you do anything about it?

It is an old machine - a Multico from the 1970's and it is general noise rather than when it's cutting so it must be related to the motor I guess but I think it's more to do with vibration.

EDIT: it's a 14" bandsaw on a base so floorstanding. The motor is in the base so it is designed to be floorstanding rather than it being a benchtop model that's got a stand.

Any ideas?

 

[OPJ]

If it's a benchtop model, is it firmly bolted or secured to a sturdy stand or base? Is the blade running true? Are the wheels running in the same plane? Those are the first things I'd look at. You might also want to check the condition of the drive belt. Larger saws will create some vibration.

 

[Jensmith]

Edited post above to include the fact it's a floorstanding bandsaw.

I wonder if it could be the belt? It was slightly worn when we got it though not badly so. It had come from a school but never been used much but bits have obviously still deteriorated with age.

 

[Tony Spear]

I'm no expert on bandsas, but I do know somethig about rotating machines (Pumps/Motors/Generators/Diesels all up to 2000 kW :shock: ).

I'd agree with everything that OPJ says, but I'd add that the belt may look OK but rubber and other materials used in drives can harden, so bear that in mind.

I'd also check the bearings: take off the belt and blade and check for side to side movement of the motor shaft and the wheels.

Is it freestanding or bolted to the floor?

If all of that comes up with nothing then you may want to try mounting it on some sort of vibration damping mat, although if the vibration is serious it may stop the transmission through the floor but it won't stop your teeth from chattering when you put your hands on the table :mrgreen:

Also if there's room in the base cabinet it might be worth adding some mass inside.

 

[Tusses]

my small Delta bench top Band Saw is more like an old singer sewing machine in sound. really nice and quite.
I use this one nearly every day.

I have a 14" floor standing band saw which is more noisey, but I use this less and have never tried to make it more quiet.

My old Wadkin Table saw just whispers away ! I love it

 

[jimi43]

I take it you have got Steve's DVD Jen?

That will take you through all the setup in the correct sequence which is important as they are interrelated.

They will show up areas (such as bearing wear) at each step so you can determine which part is in need of replacement.

My DeWalt made quite a noise before I set it up correctly but now it runs relatively quietly....it does need adjustment every so often though....so it's handy to learn how to do that maintenance.

As mentioned many times before here at UKW...it's worth it's weight in gold!

Cheers

Jimi

 

[RogerP]

I fitted a PowerTwist Plus V belt to my Axminster AWHBS350N bandsaw and it cut down noise and vibration by about half.

 

[tomatwark]

Jen

Definately check your set up, belts etc.

But I would also add a mat under as well, I had a similar problem with a sander in my workshop and some bits of camping mat under the corners work a treat.

The floor it is on is just a touch out of level across the corners causing the machine to twist ever so slightly ( I am talking mm's ), but the the camping mat has compensated for this and cut the noise to what it should be.

Be careful adding weight or bolting it down as this may introduce a twist into the machine making the problem worse.

Tom

 

[CHJ]

Jen, try and track down which element is generating the noise.
Take the belt off and run Motor, you can check all motor shaft for movement, (bearings) and if you also remove the blade the wheel bearings for play and noise whilst the drive belt is off.

With Drive Belt still off and blade fitted, spin blade wheels by hand, can you identify the noise you hear or its source.

Most metallic noise is generated by the Blade guide contact, but this of course gets amplified by the structure. But a wheel bearing may be sounding rough under load.

 

[Jensmith]

Thanks guys. I'll give those all a go and report back. Don't want to upset the neighbours with the noise.

Dad put in a 'new' motor (ie one from his garage stock pile) as the original was 3 phase.

Jim - I have got Steve's DVD and set it up originally based on that but I should probably watch it again. The wheels were ok back then.

What I have noticed s that the new blade doesn't run quite true - it moves away from the guide by a few mm along a certain length so something isn't right there.

It was noisy from the start though so it could be vibration.

 

[PeterBassett]

I'd be interested in seeing a picture of your saw. I've got a 16" multico myself.

 

[jimi43]

Ah Jen...I thought you bought Steve's DVD...so that means that you have set up the wheels..the pulley...etc all in the right order.

When you say it moves away from the guide "over a certain length"...am I right in thinking that you mean that for part of the single revolution the blade will move from it's resting position and does it move from sharp to blunt side back towards the thrust bearing or left to right against the guides?

Jim

 

[Jensmith]

When you say it moves away from the guide "over a certain length"...am I right in thinking that you mean that for part of the single revolution the blade will move from it's resting position and does it move from sharp to blunt side back towards the thrust bearing or left to right against the guides?

Jim

For part of the revolution it moves away from the thrust bearing (that's the one the blade pushes against when you cut right?) then back again. I'd say it was about a quarter turn of the wheel. It moves away about 5mm I'd say.

I know thus didn't happen before and the blade also isn't in the same position on the lower and upper wheels though it us cutting straight. That doesn't seem right either but not sure why it's happening as I put it on in the centre.

The blade is further forward on the lower wheel and further back on the top wheel.

 

[Jensmith]

I'd be interested in seeing a picture of your saw. I've got a 16" multico myself.

Here you go:

 

[jimi43]

To do this Jen...the blade is "walking" up and down the wheel for part of the revolution therefore..the wheels aren't aligned correctly or the blade is perhaps kinked...try putting the old blade back on if you still have it and see if it still does it

Jim

 

[Jensmith]

Ok, I still have the blade so I'll try that.