Thread: Delta 14" bandsaw wheel tight

the top wheel should spin fairly easily, it may just be crud built up in the bearings or you may need to replace them, if it just feels sticky it is most likely crud, if there is a grinding sound it is more likely that the bearings are shot

Either the wheel is fouling on something or the bearings are starting to freeze up

I think this is an older delta open base bandsaw that has been sitting in the store for possibly several years or more. I doubt it this bandsaw was ever turned on and used. Maybe having it sit around caused the bearing to get tight. Maybe if I run it the bearings might work loose and fix it self. I paid $232.00 usd. A price to low to pass up. It was marked down to make room for the new delta bandsaws made in china. It wasn't marked down because there was something wrong with it. This bandsaw I just bought seems to be made heavy duty. Thanks for your input. dave

If the problem is bearings, trying to 'run' it will only make the problem worse. Bearings that are getting stiff do not improve with additional work, they deteriorate more rapidly.

I do not know the saw, but the bearings should not cost a lot, and it should not take more than an hour or so to swap them.

In order to run the wheel to try and free the bearings, you need a blade fitted. If you are lucky, the blade will just come off if the bearings go, but if they seize, there is a fair chance of either overloading and burning the motor, or breaking a perfectly good new blade before it even gets to cut timber.

For my money, I would replace the bearings rather than risk further problems.

I dunno 'bout the Delta, but I'd imagine the manual has an exploded view? I don't suppose you're lucky enough to have roller-bearings and not sealed bearings? (Then a simple wash & relube would be all that's needed. Sometimes there are benefits to old-school technology. )

But most modern jobs use sealed bearings, in which case I agree with malb: just replace 'em.

There is a possibility that the centre bolt that holds the top wheel on and acts as an axle is too tight.

Shop staff aren't too bright in the assembly process at times.

I personally would check the whole machine if it was a display model.

Originally Posted by

There is a possibility that the centre bolt that holds the top wheel on and acts as an axle is too tight.

Shop staff aren't too bright in the assembly process at times.

I personally would check the whole machine if it was a display model.

Ah... yes. The good ol' "what's this lock-washer for?" "Dunno, just bung it in there somewhere so it won't get lost" scenario.

Bought my DC from the floor-stock during the "spite sale" at Bayswater Carbatec. (They were the days. ) After a couple of weeks it started making a horrendous noise and, on checking, the nut had come off the impeller, which was rubbing on the casing.

On removing the impeller I discovered the cause... the flat- and a lock-washers were still sitting on the drive shaft... ie. on the wrong side!

Louis Ittura at Ittura Designs in Florida is the Delta saw guru. He sells a whole catalogue of stuff for them, and has a deep knowledge base.

+1 for the likelihood of a bad assembly by shop staff. Otherwise perhaps the bearings got wet sometime and rusted? Either way, ball bearings of that general size are cheap.

Ittura didn't have a web presence last time I looked, but he has an 800 number.

Greg

I had bought the bandsaw and had it set aside for a while till I finally looked at it. The adjustment knob was tightened up to where the wheel moved tightly. Just loosening it freed the top wheel up and now it moves freely. It does have sealed bearings.

Delta bandsaws made in USA are very good bandsaws. I own another delta enclosed base bandsaw with optional 6" riser block installed and made in USA. I have noticed the open base bandsaws made in china the bases are being made smaller I guess cheaper in cost and quality. Thanks for everyones help.