Bigger Motor for Bandsaw

[Joe Wood]

I recently bought a Jet 14" bandsaw
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17085
with a one HP motor and already wish it had a little more power.

Can I put a 2 HP motor on that saw? If so, where would I get it??

[Alan Schaffter]

I recently bought a Jet 14" bandsaw
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17085
with a one HP motor and already wish it had a little more power.

Can I put a 2 HP motor on that saw? If so, where would I get it??

Yup, did it. Grainger, HF, Ebay, Motor Wharehouse, etc. etc. Make sure it (1) will fit the housing, (2) has the correct rotation, (3) has the same rpm (4) has he same shaft diameter (or you will need a new pulley)

[Joe Wood]

Whoops, forgot to add I'm near San Diego.

[Joe Wood]

Alan, did you go from a 1 hp to a 2 hp?

[Alan Schaffter]

Alan, did you go from a 1 hp to a 2 hp?

Yes, I went from a 1 hp to a 2 hp motor.

Here is a pic of the new motor (L) and old motor (R). Big difference in size! Plus, I went from the supplied Delta (Emerson) open drip-proof motor to a thermally protected Dayton TFEC motor! It was a great Ebay buy that just needed new bearings- which were easy to replace. The shafts were different diameter so I got a new pulley from McMaster-Carr. The new installation is powerful, yet smooth and quiet.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Bandsaw-3.JPG

There is a thread about the upgrade with more pics at this link on NC Woodworker ("http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f31/tool-tinkering-w-pics-6027). You should be able read/view it as a guest. Contrary to what the thread says and the pic below shows, I was eventually able to get the pulley close enough to the motor housing so everything fit inside the cabinet using the existing cabinet sides.

http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/500/Bandsaw-5.JPG

[Mike Cruz]

Grizzly actually has decent prices on their motors.

[Eddie Darby]

I had the same problem with my 2 HP motor sticking out, so I mounted the metal door on a wood frame and got extra long bolts to secure the door to the saw housing.

These 2 pages helped some with the change over.

http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Bandsaw-Tuning.html

http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Bandsaw-Using.html

[Tom Veatch]

Some things to watch for in the upgrade.

Rotation direction. If the new motor isn't reversible, make sure it turns in the proper direction.
RPM. If the new motor isn't the same as the old (probably 1725 RPM), you'll need a new drive pulley to get the blade speed back to where it should be.
Frame size. If the frame size of the new motor isn't the same as the old, you'll need a new pulley at the very least, and probably will have to fabricate a new or modify the existing motor mount. If the existing motor is an IEC frame, good luck on finding a single phase motor as a replacement. If the existing is a NEMA frame you can maybe find a match going from 1 to 2 HP. The 1.5HP motor on my Jet 16" was IEC frame and I was unable to locate a single phase bolt-on replacement except from Jet. I replaced with a 3HP NEMA motor for less money but had to weld up a new motor mount and replace the drive pulley.
And of course, phase and voltage compatibility with your shop wiring.
Check your existing motor dataplate for voltage, phase, rotation, RPM, and frame size.

[james bell]

I went from a 1/2HP on an old sear 12" bandsaw to 1.5HP and it works like a charm. the two things you need to check are the rpm and the shaft size, diameter should be the same so you can use your existing pulley.

as you can see from some of the pictures from other postings, the motor size may be different. if you can adjust the mounting to make up for the difference, then you will need to get the 'link-belt'.

[Joe Wood]

Boy some great Info guys. I can hardly read any of the motor details as the plate is on top of the motor, up under the frame, need to take it out.

One thing I can tell is, the end opposite the pulley is right up against the case. Doesn't look like I have any room for a bigger motor, unless I can get say a 1 1/2 HP motor that's the same length, only fatter around? I might be happy with a 1 1/2.

[Alan Schaffter]

Boy some great Info guys. I can hardly read any of the motor details as the plate is on top of the motor, up under the frame, need to take it out.

One thing I can tell is, the end opposite the pulley is right up against the case. Doesn't look like I have any room for a bigger motor, unless I can get say a 1 1/2 HP motor that's the same length, only fatter around? I might be happy with a 1 1/2.

A 1:1 right angle drive might also be an option.

[Chip Lindley]

Joe, if your JET 14" had an open stand on it, you could drop a Chevy 350 in it if you wanted! With the enclosed stand, you are limited by the motor's physical size. 1.5hp is probably is the largest you will fit inside without hacking a hole in your stand.

There is only so much that a 14" bandsaw in capable of. IMO, I get 100% out of my Delta 28-243 with riser block, using a 1hp farm duty TEFC motor. It's not just sheer horsepower, but other issues which contribute to bandsawing success. Optimum tune-up and correct blade play as big a part as a motor does.