Dave Anthony
06-06-2023, 3:17 AM
I just replaced the tires on my Jet 18" bandsaw. What I learned:
Clean off the residue of the old tires w/acetone.
If you can get the wheels off life is easier (the nut will be reverse threaded, and the wheels should pull directly off the shaft).
Soak the tires in really hot, almost boiling water.
Take the installation tool provided with the new tires (a chunk of dowel w/a nail surrounded by a piece of tubing) and throw it away. Also, throw away the instructions that tell you to use warm tap water and a single clamp. Get two large screwdrivers and at least 6 clamps.
When you're ready to put the tire on, fish the tire out of the water. If you can comfortably stick your hand in the water it's not hot enough. Take a towel and dry off the tire (cast iron hates water). Pretend the tire is an exercise device: Step on it, grab it with both hands and pull up to stretch it. Clamp the tire to the wheel, expanding the circumference using the screwdrivers as levers and adding/moving the clamps as needed to consolidate your gains.
When you get the tire on (it will seem impossibly small) go around the circumference and press the tire into the channel to spread it out evenly.
Clean off the residue of the old tires w/acetone.
If you can get the wheels off life is easier (the nut will be reverse threaded, and the wheels should pull directly off the shaft).
Soak the tires in really hot, almost boiling water.
Take the installation tool provided with the new tires (a chunk of dowel w/a nail surrounded by a piece of tubing) and throw it away. Also, throw away the instructions that tell you to use warm tap water and a single clamp. Get two large screwdrivers and at least 6 clamps.
When you're ready to put the tire on, fish the tire out of the water. If you can comfortably stick your hand in the water it's not hot enough. Take a towel and dry off the tire (cast iron hates water). Pretend the tire is an exercise device: Step on it, grab it with both hands and pull up to stretch it. Clamp the tire to the wheel, expanding the circumference using the screwdrivers as levers and adding/moving the clamps as needed to consolidate your gains.
When you get the tire on (it will seem impossibly small) go around the circumference and press the tire into the channel to spread it out evenly.