Question on belt drive on BP-355

**Arron** · 10th February 2015, 07:56 PM

Hi. I have a BP-355 bandsaw (Hare and Forbes). It was in beautiful condition when I bought it, but after doing some really dumb things with it I'm now struggling to get it back into top condition.

Currently I'm puzzled about the amount of noise its making and the irregular running. Looking inside the lower cabinet, I was puzzled about the belt wheel. The belt wheel (which is attached to the lower bandsaw blade wheel) seems to have a v groove in its perimeter. I expected the v belt to be running in this groove, but instead its actually running somewhere/somehow behind the belt wheel. Maybe there is a second v groove there and all is well, or maybe there isn't and the belt has somehow slipped out of the v groove it should be running in. I don't know because I cant see anything and there's no way I'm taking the wheels off to have a look (not with my record on getting things back together again

).

I"ve attached a couple of photos. Hopefully they make my question clearer.

And while we're at it, can anyone advise on how much belt tension is required ?

cheers and thanks
Arron

bandsaw belt 2.jpg bandsaw belt 1.jpg

**nosnow** · 10th February 2015, 08:30 PM

Hi Arron

It would be a 2 speed bandsaw there is also a twin pulley on the motor

Cheers Rod

**BobL** · 10th February 2015, 09:10 PM

About the noise. Try removing the blade and run the motor. If it still makes a noise it could be motor or drive wheel bearings.
If it only make a noise with the blade on it then it's probably the blade guide blocks or bearings. They may just need lubricating.

Belt tension should be such that you can push on it with one finger and it moves a couple of mm. How technical is that !

**specialist** · 10th February 2015, 10:54 PM

bp 355 is a two speed machine, you have it set on the slow speed. I have tried both and find the slow speed to be more than adequate for my needs. You need to tighten the belt so there is about 12mm deflection in the side, much like a car.

As for the noise, that could be anything. I have found that the guide bearings can make a terrible noise if not adjusted properly. Is the bottom thrust bearing guide tight? There is a grub screw in the side of the adjustment under the table. The tensioning mechanism for the top wheel needs to be lubricated otherwise it will make some funny noises.

**Arron** · 11th February 2015, 12:59 PM

Thanks guys. Armed with a better understanding of what to expect I had another look at the machine today.

I'll post the outcome here in case anyone is interested in the future.

The main issue seems to be that the 'press wheel' was not sliding in and out. Attached photo identifies the part. The press wheel should slide along its mounting shaft - to the outermost point when the belt is aligned for high speed and innermost point when on low speed. In my case the wheel was not sliding - I expect due to a combination of poor choice of lubricant and excessive wooddust. This led to the belt rubbing vigorously on the point illustrated in the attached image, and perhaps elsewhere.

The second problem was the drive belt, which had a thickened spot on it. Not just a kink but a lump, which could only have come about through poor manufacture. I swapped that one out.

I had already replaced all bearings and done the Alex Snodgrass type tuneup, so hopefully it is ready to go now.

cheers
Arron

bandsaw belt 1.jpg

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