I have grizzly 14" "ultimate" bandsaw. I bought it new a few years
ago. It has serviced me well, however, lately I have a hard time
keeping the thing tracking well. It seems I can only go a few cuts
before the blade starts rubbing a guide wheel. I've also noticed that
the blade does not hit both the upper and lower wheels (the drive
wheels) in the same spot any longer (when new, the two wheels were
perfectly coplaner). Could it simply be the blades? there in pretty
good shape and haven't had much use. Do I need new guide bearings?

Doug writes:
I have grizzly 14" "ultimate" bandsaw. I bought it new a few years
ago. It has serviced me well, however, lately I have a hard time
keeping the thing tracking well. It seems I can only go a few cuts
before the blade starts rubbing a guide wheel. I've also noticed that
the blade does not hit both the upper and lower wheels (the drive
wheels) in the same spot any longer (when new, the two wheels were
perfectly coplaner). Could it simply be the blades? there in pretty
good shape and haven't had much use. Do I need new guide bearings?



Hm. I had a similar problem on an older JET WBS-14(OS). Turns out
the casting that the blade tracking knob moves was cracked and the
angle had changed between the upper wheel axle and the tracking knob
assembly such that the blade would always fall off the upper wheel.

A week later the new part from Jet had arrived. The casting (pot metal)
on the original part had had material removed from it to form ribs, the
replacement casting (still pot metal) is solid; and less likely to break.

As for root cause, I suspect that keeping tension on the saw 24x7 and
possibly overtensioning it may have been responsible (aside from the fact
that the original part was probably cheaply designed).

scott

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:50:24 -0700, Doug wrote:

I have grizzly 14" "ultimate" bandsaw. I bought it new a few years
ago. It has serviced me well, however, lately I have a hard time
keeping the thing tracking well. It seems I can only go a few cuts
before the blade starts rubbing a guide wheel. I've also noticed that
the blade does not hit both the upper and lower wheels (the drive
wheels) in the same spot any longer (when new, the two wheels were
perfectly coplaner). Could it simply be the blades? there in pretty
good shape and haven't had much use. Do I need new guide bearings?

Do a total band saw tuneup. Duginski's book will help guide you
through the steps.

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:50:24 -0700, Doug wrote:

I have grizzly 14" "ultimate" bandsaw. I bought it new a few years
ago. It has serviced me well

Don't even wanna go there... wouldn't be prudent..


mac

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