SIP 12" Bandsaw 'Squeaking' - Any Ideas?

[OPJ]

My SIP 12" Bandsaw started squeaking a few weeks ago and I'm not sure what the problem is, or how to go about sorting it.

You can hear it as the saw is running but, it's more obvious as the wheels come to a stop after switching off. My guess would be that it's the drive belt but, this looks to be in pretty good condition.

It does sound as if it's come from the lower drive belt/motor area though. I've tried playing with the tension on both the blade and the drive belt, but to no obvious effect.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful to hear from you.

I don't know what SIP are like for this kind of thing (although they did recently send me a new tensioning knob without fuss).

Thanks for your time,

Olly.

 

[9fingers]

You can test for belt squeal by putting a few drips of water on the belt. This should shut it up for a few minutes.
This is not a cure - just a test

Bob

 

[Slim]

Climbing chalk is great for squealing belts.

 

[OLD]

First thing i would do is back off all blade guides check them for free running and run the m/c then check bearings in the main wheels with blade removed so the belt drive and motor are the only items left.

 

[CHJ]

Most likely the back lower wheel bearingc has got contaminated with dust, it collects in the wheel inner casting boss especially if you have run the bandsaw without extraction.

The bearing may be seized and turning on its shaft.


As temporary fix if this is the problem remove circlips and tap out bearing, remove a metal shield and wash out dust with something like white spirit, re-grease and refit metal shield with an additional plastic or thick cardboard washer type shield fitted in centre of wheel to stop dust building up close to bearing.

Might never need to fit new bearing, if you do then fitting the additional shield is recommended.

 

[Green]

Most likely the back lower wheel bearingc has got contaminated with dust, it collects in the wheel inner casting boss especially if you have run the bandsaw without extraction.

The bearing may be seized and turning on its shaft.

Had the exact same problem on my SIP "14 bandsaw.

 

[OPJ]

Thanks for your replies, everyone.

Before I even think about removing wheels and all that, I will try testing it by adding some drops of water and maybe some of that chalk if I can find it.

The upper wheel bearings look and run fine. I still get the noise when these are set clear of the blade. As for the lower guide bearings, because the extraction port is so low down, a lot of dust tends to build up in this area. The thrust bearing gets a particularly heavy covering, but still seems to rotate fine. One of the lower side bearings has become quite stiff and difficult to turn - but I still get the squeaking when the blade is running free and clear of them... I always run the saw with extraction going but have been sawing a lot of 2" thick oak recently.

Chas. Sorry, are you talking about the lower thrust bearing that guides the blade or is this related to the drive pulleys or lower 12" blade wheel?

I don't get any problems using the saw while it's making this noise but, I also fear it could only be a matter of time until something seriously goes wrong.

 

[OPJ]

Well, I gave everything a light spraying with some silicone earlier (Alan Holtham recommends it on the Record Power DVDs) and the squeaking appears to be no more! :shock:

This may of course only be a temporary solution; guess I'll just have to wait and see how it goes.

 

[CHJ]

.....Chas. Sorry, are you talking about the lower thrust bearing that guides the blade or is this related to the drive pulleys or lower 12" blade wheel?....

Sorry for the delay answering OPJ, been away making a fool of myself with all the grandkids.

I was referring to the central bearings in the lower drive wheel.

Use caution with Silicone sprays around wood working machines, it has a habit of transferring to the wood and preventing good glue or surface finish bonding.