Please Help me set Up my Bandsaw

[RGbrown]

Hope you can help. My uncle left me his AWSBS2 small bandsaw. I know it is in good condition and well looked after as he was a very gifted cabinet maker abd furniture restorer.

When setting up the bandsaw I have discovered that none of the bolts on the lower wheel mounting are touching the wheel axle and subsequently the wheel is loose and wobbling. The machine looks as good as new condition and I know was set up and working a couple of months before his death. He was however quite ill and confused towards the end and I am assuming he loosened the bolts at this time.

Could you please advise me on how to reset the lower wheel as I understand it is set in the factory.

 

[AES]

@RGbrown:

In short you need to check: wheels are co-planar; wheels are rotating correctly; blade tracking and tension; blade side and rear guides are correctly adjusted.

How?

6 months ago I didn't have a clue on any of the above, the internet gave some hints but what I found wasn't all that clear, and the "Handbook" (new saw) was worse than useless. So following the advice on this Forum I invested about 20 quid in a set of DVDs from Steve Maskery of Workshop Essentials.

I can honestly say that this was one of the best 20 quids I've ever spent on woodworking, and not only do I now approach setting up my bandsaw with complete confidence but I also produce excellent and safe results with it - and I was a bloke who'd never even seen a bandsaw before!

I have absolutley no connection, commercial or otherwise, with Steve or his company.

Buy a set now, you won't regret it, and his service is excellent too.

You can send him a PM off this forum or contact him direct at:

[email protected]

Good luck
AES

 

[carlb40]

You don't say if you have the manual or not. If not here it is

http://www.axminster.co.uk/downloads/200152_manual.pdf

It may help out a bit.

 

[RGbrown]

Thanks both carlb40 and AES

I have the manual which says "Do not touch the bottom wheel adjusting screws".
I have 2 new tuff saw blades which I'm eager to use and my workshop essentials DVD came yesterday which I've watched twice. Excellent on setting up and tuning the saw and using.
My problem is however the bottom wheel is not set in any sort of plane. Neither the manual or the dvd tell me how to set the bottom wheel. Basically because the axel is not sercured I cannot tension the blade. I have tried to set the bottom wheel but I can't seem to get it to spin in a true plane. If there is a sequence for adjusting and tightening the screws I would dearly love to know. I have contacted Axminster and await there reply, as its afew years old and certainly not under warranty I am counting on their good will.
Thanks and hopeful

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Call Axminster. If you have any problems pm me and I'll put you in touch with someone there who should be able to sort it out for you.

 

[RGbrown]

Thanks Nick
Must say I'm humbled by the helpfullness of people on this site. Joined 2 1/2 hours ago and had good advice and a phone call from Steve Maskery already. Steve suggests I basically need to sit down with my saw and make minor adjustments on the left and right screws untill the blade runs true (or at least stays on the wheel).
I'll set Sunday aside for this. I shall phone Axminster on Tuesday if I can't make headway.
Thanks again for all your advice.
Robyn

 

[RGbrown]

I am now dancing round my workshop.
Managed to set up the bottom wheel after about 4 hours of minor adjusting, cursing, cups of tea and a good coat of looking at.
The adjusting screws are quite weak and I managed to sheer two off and managed to strip the threads in the holes on the housing. The dog left at this point. Managed to rethread the holes. With the wheel off i was able to tighten the axel and the wheels are more or less coplaner.
With a tuff saw fitted I've done an hours worth of experimental cuts and I must say I'm quite happy. Cut through 2" oak with no problems, no drift and surprisingly clean finish.
Thanks again for the all the advice, especially Steve.
Robyn

 

[Nick Gibbs]

Good work. Much more determined than I would have been. And much more satisfying than a spot of complaining.

 

[Mickfb]

+1 for Steve Maskery of Workshop Essentials