Bandsaw Howls

**FreeTime** · 15th August 2023, 12:45 AM

I have a Rikon 14 inch Band saw converted for 220. I don’t use it much so I’m still perfecting my skills. I have a need to use it for resawing so I figured it gets more experience on it. I purchased all new blades (I’m a second owner on this) and tuned the table square to the blade. The blades are the centered on the top and bottom wheels and track well. I am not sure I understand the tension correctly - I may have a tendency to not tension tight enough depending on the blade.

My question is … What would cause it to howl? It gets loud enough that I have to look around and make sure it is not the dog. This noise seems to come out of the lower cabinet on the lower left. It seemed to occur more with original (dull) blade and definitely happens only when I may be trying to cut something non-straight. I don’t see the upper guides being engaged much I have them close but they’re not touching. I don’t think this piece of equipment has had enough use that I need to be worrying about bearings yet. Is this anything I should be concerned with or is it just poor operator technique?

**Treecycle** · 15th August 2023, 10:07 AM

You mention the top guides but not the bottom ones. Have you checked them assuming this brand does have bottom guides. Also check that the guide bearings are not too far forward that the teeth of the blade are contacting the bearings as that will not only make a howling noise but also take the edge off them. The bearings should be just behind the bottom of the teeth. When I set my blades up for resawing I set the teeth of the blade close to the centre of the wheels rather than setting the centre of the blade in the centre of the wheels. This puts maximum tension on the blade where the teeth are. You might like to have a look at this video by Alex Snodgrass where he has some good info on setting up a Bandsaw.

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 15th August 2023, 04:37 PM

Are the guides roller bearings or blocks? I assume there's a roller bearing as the back guide as well... is it under the table or mounted with the top guides?

If you have lower rollers, it may be that one of them (or both) is siezing up, which would definitely fit the "trying to cut something non-straight" aspect. Ditto for the back guide if it's mounted under the table.

If just blocks, then check that they're both clean and not loose. If one is grabbing the blade it could definitely set up a vibration that could be amplified by the enclosure. (Same principle as a violin & bow).

**FreeTime** · 16th August 2023, 12:52 AM

Thanks for the quick responses and information. The guides are bearings, not blocks. I’m sorry I did not mention the bottom bearings but they were adjusted as well. The bottom guides are under the table and not coupled to the upper guides.

I agree, I thought the noise was coming from these bearings but I watched closely, these were not being contacted enough to explain the noise. (the noises are coming from the opposite side of the tool anyway)

If I figure any out I will post it back here.

**homesy135** · 21st August 2023, 07:34 PM

My drive pulley was loose on my bandsaw and it made (I presume) a similar noise. I think the noise was due to the drive belt being forced to run on out of plumb pulleys.

I loosened the drive pulley screw, refitted the pulley and key-way and tightened the drive pulley screws. The drive pulley did need a few gentle taps to fit it to the motors drive shaft.

Bandsaw fixed. I hope your unit is as easily fixed.

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