Lee Schierer
03-06-2006, 4:38 PM
This weekend I needed to resaw some maple on my Delta 3/4 or 1 Hp bandsaw. The piece was 5-1/2" wide, 48" long and was almost to the full capacity of my saw. I started out with no problem and was able to cut at a steady pace. about a foot into teh pcut, I noticed the saw was bogging down and it took very little pressure to stop the blade. I backed out of the cut, rechecked all my saw alignments and settings, then started cutting again. It was a struggle to get the last half of the board cut. I put in wedges to make sure I wasn't pinching the blade and was very careful to avoid twisitng the board.
I thought I may have to think about upgrading the motor to a bigger one. Now before all of you jump on me and say I definitely need a bigger motor, read the rest of the story........
About the time I finally finished the cut LOML walked out in the shop and said what's that smell. As I walked to her side of the saw, I the noted that there was a hot smell. I think the dust collector was pulling it away from me on my side. I checked the board and there was no sign of burning. I touched the blade (yes the saw was off) and it wasn't hot. I reached under the saw and noted that the motor pully was very hot. I removed the guard and found that the belt was also quite hot and pretty loose. I readjusted the tension on the belt and was later able to resaw several strips of 4" tall cherry with no problem.
When's the last time you checked your badsaw drive belt?
I thought I may have to think about upgrading the motor to a bigger one. Now before all of you jump on me and say I definitely need a bigger motor, read the rest of the story........
About the time I finally finished the cut LOML walked out in the shop and said what's that smell. As I walked to her side of the saw, I the noted that there was a hot smell. I think the dust collector was pulling it away from me on my side. I checked the board and there was no sign of burning. I touched the blade (yes the saw was off) and it wasn't hot. I reached under the saw and noted that the motor pully was very hot. I removed the guard and found that the belt was also quite hot and pretty loose. I readjusted the tension on the belt and was later able to resaw several strips of 4" tall cherry with no problem.
When's the last time you checked your badsaw drive belt?