I have your Bandsaw Book and have a question. After years of trouble with a 24" European bandsaw, I have come to find out that the top wheel is 1/16" smaller in diameter then the bottom wheel. Obviously a manufacturing defect. I have had safety issues with this saw that the manufacturer is not very helpful with. The 1" blade that I keep on the machine flutters back and forth at least 3/16" as it runs. Scary. What can I do to address the difference in wheel diameter, short of replacing the
cast wheel? These wheels have a replaceable rubber tire. Thanks.
- Tim B.
Midland, NC
Our Expert
Of all the different brands and sizes of bandsaws that I've used over the years, I've never encountered a bandsaw with wheels of different diameters.
Perhaps you could have a machine shop turn the larger of the two wheels to match. It's important that there is enough thickness to the wheel casting;
you certainly do not want to weaken the wheel by reducing it in diameter. However, I suspect that because of the relatively minor difference in size
that this solution would work. Keep in mind that the wheel that is reduced in diameter will most likely need to be balanced afterwards.
Another solution may be to send the wheels away to a company which will mount new tires and turn them to matching diameters. Of course this is only a temporary solution at best. When the tires wear out this process will need to be repeated.
Keep in mind that once the wheels are corrected that they must also match the upper and lower blade guides.
The blade "flutter" could be caused by a bent blade or running the blade with insufficient tension. It is difficult to analyze without examining the
bandsaw firsthand.
