Band saw motor--strange sound

[drunkcat]

I recently moved and I am finally getting my bandsaw (Griz G0555) back together after almost a year in storage. For the first time I shimmed the bottom wheel to get it coplaner ( I have the riser). When I put the wheel and the belt back on I am getting a clicking (more of a soft thud) when I run the motor or spin the wheel by hand. It sounds like its coming from the motor. I took the belt back off and the wheel turns easily and quetly on its own. I ran the motor with the belt off and it was fine. When I put the belt on the click came back! argh!

Anyone have any ideas what's going on? I just email Grizz.

Thanks,
Scott

[gsmittle]

Sounds like it might be a flat spot on the belt.

g.

[Ed62]

If you put the blade part of a screwdriver on the housing where you think the noise is coming from, put the end of the handle to your ear, and turn the wheel, you should be able to verify if it's coming from there or not. Possibly a bearing?

Ed

[iceman61]

I'm leaning towards the flat spot on the belt also.

[LCHIEN]

the motor and the wheel turn at two different RPMs due to the difference in pulleys and the belt. The belt turns at a third, much lower RPM which is a function of the pulley RPM and the belt length. You should be able to tell which RPM the noise is ocurring at to isolate the cause. Like someone said, it might well be a flat spot in the belt... a link belt might be a worthwhile addition to the bandsaw at this point.

[gjat]

There are a few simple problems that can be causing this, especially considering the saw's been in storage for months.

First thing, make sure none of the guides or bearings have been knocked or misaligned and no creatures have died inside and are sticking to something.

1- Drive belt has formed a stiff kink where it went around the motor pulley. Try running the saw without the blad but the drive belt on. Replace the belt if you hear the noise.

2- Blade may have developed stiffness kink. Try running the saw with a different blade.

3- Tire on on the large pulley's may have developed a flat spot. If a different blade still makes the noise, set up a guage while turning the wheels to check for a flat spot.

Good luck!

[drunkcat]

Thanks for all the idears. I still cant isolate the sound. I'll try a new belt and report back.

Thanks again!

[drunkcat]

Just to finish the story...Grizzly tech support recommended I open up the motor. There was nothing obviously wrong so they advised I change to bearings in the motor (which looked and felt fine). I was skeptical...but we are back in action! I have no idea why or how it was the bearings. Kudos to Grizzly tech support for walking me through the motor work on the telephone.

[Bruce Cohen]

Not to hijack this thread, but are link belts all they're cracked up to be?

I'm really tired of spending/wasting money on stuff that sounds good but doesn't live up to all the hype.

Bruce

[BobSch]

Not to hijack this thread, but are link belts all they're cracked up to be?

I'm really tired of spending/wasting money on stuff that sounds good but doesn't live up to all the hype.

Bruce

Just make sure you ge the right size. I mistakenly bough two 1/2" link belts for my DP. After fighting with the for a couple of hours, I discovered that I needed 3/8" — not as common or easy to find.
With the right belts, the DP is quieter and has less vibration. A good investment, from my perspective.

[sweensdv]

For anyone interested, Grizzly has the 3/8" belts. http://www.grizzly.com/products/Powe...3-8-x-4-/G3639