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People, I have a 20 inch MECO band saw that has an issue with the blade guide and the associated stem. In the pictures you can see that the casting is rough where the guide stem is located and when the guide stem is in position there is a 3mm space all around. My question to the crew is............ is there a spacer missing in the assembly?
When the locking screw is firmed up it pushed the guide stem way out of square to the blade.
Damien
More pics.
Not familiar with your type of saw, but looks to me like the shell missing the hexagonal shape would have had Babbitt material poured there to align the guide post correctly and avoid the need to machine the cast iron. Did it have some soft lead material there before it was cleaned up?
Derek, there was nothing around the stem guide. In days gone they had white metal slides and were poured in situ? Damien
Here is a pic of my guide posthttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...cd8ef16aed.jpg
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What he says.Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekC
Here's mine (a 30" Preston)
Attachment 487503 Attachment 487502
Photos taken during partial refurbish during 2015 & 2016. This one has a square guide shaft, set at 45 degrees.
Mine also has whitemetal/babbit around the table tilt trunnions, and around the vertical shaft of the handwheel that adjusts blade tension.
Repair of yours is very doable (I believe) - but I'm pleased it's you and not me :no::U.
Cheers, Vann.
Goodwoody,
I have absolutely no idea about the restoration of machinery, but no so long ago I happen to watch this YouTube from a gentleman called Keith Rucker:
Vance Planer/Matcher: Pouring Babbitt Bearings and Installing Flat Belt Pulleys - YouTube
Looking at Vann's pics I was wondering if "Babbitt bearings" were the same?
All the best with your efforts!!!
Cheers
Yvan
Thanks for the pictures people. Now I know what I'm aiming at I have to make a plan of attack. I have to work out how to plug the large hole in the casting
If it were me, I'd make a wooden disc/square/whatever shape, with a tight fitting hex hole - for the base. Fit it around the hex shaft then clamp it to the bottom of the casting. The wood will get burns, and any gaps will need to be plugged. There are commercial putties, but you'd probably get away with clay or plaster of Paris. The shaft itself needs a layer of soot (from a candle or similar).Quote:
Originally Posted by goodwoody
Then align the shaft vertically (I'm not sure if there's something above or below to anchor it in that position).
You're then ready to pour in the whitemetal/babbit. That youtube video, or any of a number of similar babbit-pouring videos, will give more details.
Cheers, Vann.
Thanks Vann, I have done a little research about it and came to very similar conclusions. Where can I purchase White metal/babbit from? Damien