Why does my bandsaw run backwards?

[dewi1219]

I bought an old Craftsman 12" bandsaw for $40. I checked to make sure it ran before buying it, but I didn't pay attention to the direction of rotation. When I went to use it for the first time I noticed that at the cut the blade goes up instead of down. What's also strange is that I downloaded the owner's manual from the Sears website and it specifically states that the direction of rotation of the motor must be checked prior to assembling the saw and to contact Sears if it doesn't turn counterclockwise (mine turns clockwise). Will a simple wiring swap at the motor fix this? Thanks.
Scott

[eccentrictinkerer]

Just swap the field wires and you'll be all set.

Often there's a wiring diagram on or inside the wiring cover.

[rberrybabylon]

Old Craftsman band saw

If swapping the field wires doesn't keep it running in the right direction, you might possibly have the same problem I once had with an old Craftsman band saw -- the "startup" capacitor (usually a "bump" on the motor several inches long and an inch or so in diameter) failed and the motor either wouldn't turn the pulley at all or, in a number of cases, turned it in the wrong direction. I used the internet to find a replacement capacitor for about $16 and all was well.

[dewi1219]

It always starts when I hit the switch, it just runs in the wrong direction. I'll try swapping the wires and see what happens. Thanks for the information.
Scott

[LCHIEN]

kinda hard to believe if the saw was used before that the motor would somehow swap its internal wiring by itself.

My guess is you've got a starter capacitor problem... maybe I'm wrong though.
usually if the starter cap is bad it just sits there and hums until you give it a shove one way or the other.

[dewi1219]

I don't think the wiring swapped itself - I just believe that the previous owner didn't use it much (if at all) and didn't realize it was wrong. I'll check the wiring and if it is correct then I'll know to replace the capacitor. But like I said, it never fails to start when I hit the switch.

[dewi1219]

Well, the wires were connected properly according to the manual, but I swapped them anyway to see if it made a difference. It didn't - the motor still runs backwards. I guess it must be the capacitor, but I'm still concerned since this problem was specifically mentioned in the owner's manual. Maybe they had a bad batch of motors? I'll try swapping the capacitor since that's relatively cheap. Anybody have a source for them? Thanks.
Scott

[MikeMcCoy]

That part should be available directly from Sears.

[RAFlorida]

Dewi1219, since you swapped the leads, then either the start cap is bad

or you have a short in the motor windings. Like others, I suspect the cap. If you have a vom, you could do a check to see if the cap is shorted. To check: remove all power, remove just one lead from the cap, using a screwdriver or other metal tool short the two terminals. Then vomit with high resistance setting. THen reverse the test probes to the terminals. A meter swing to the right and drops; then reversing the probes, you get another swing to the right and drop back down towards zero. That GENERALLY indicates a good cap. If it reads zero bothe ways, GENERALLY it's bad.

[scmhogg]

It could be the Australian model. You should ask Rod.

Steve

[Daryl]

If it is not the cap you may try cleaning up the starter. Polish the contacts and make sure everything moves freely like it should.

[gsmittle]

... Then vomit with high resistance setting. ...

Can't speak for anyone else, but I generally have a high resistance to vomit...

g.

[dewi1219]

I did the resistance check on the capacitor, and the resistance swept up and back down indicating that it is apparently ok. This is what I expected since the motor always starts right up without hesitation. I'm beginning to think that the saw just has the wrong motor installed (which the owner's manual implied was a possibility). I hate to scrap the saw, but I don't think it's worth it to me to spend $100 or so on a new motor. It might be different if I could find a used motor for a reasonable price. Any other suggestions?

[JR]

Any other suggestions?

Mount it backwards.

[scmhogg]

Can you put a twist in the belt?

Steve