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SHOPSMITH 11” BANDSAW
555943
3. Rotate the scale so it’s left edge (above the
notch) is parallel to and even with the red
indicator bar.
4. Hold the scale in position and tighten the
screw.
5. Re-tension the blade to the 1/4" setting on
the scale.
6. Spin the upper wheel (24) several times to
make sure the blade is turning freely.
Adjusting the Roller Bearings
The Shopsmith Bandsaw uses roller bearings
to keep the blade tracking properly on the
wheels and to provide support for the blade
during cutting operations. These bearings
are adjusted at the factory and should seldom
need further attention. However, it’s a good
idea to check the alignment of these bearings
each time you change blades.
You must mount and tension a blade in the
Bandsaw before you can properly adjust the
bearings. The blade should be centered on
the three roller bearings. The back of the
blade should rest against the auto-track roller
bearing. The lower blade guide’s roller bear-
ing. Also, the blade should be no more than
1/64" away from the upper blade guide’s
roller bearing. Be careful when you make
adjustments, since the blade is sharp.
Auto-Track Roller Bearing
The auto-track roller bearing (56) is near the
blade tension scale, at the upper left side of
the machine. The bearing guides the blade
onto the upper wheel. The front-to-back po-
sition of this bearing is fixed and shouldn’t be
altered. However, the mounting bracket can
be moved side-to-side so that you can center
the bearing behind the blade.
1. If the blade appears off center, loosen the
1/2" mounting bolt (59) that holds the
bracket (57) to the Bandsaw frame, as
shown in Fig. A-4.
Fig. A-4
2. Slide the bracket sideways until the slot in
the bearing is centered behind the blade
and tighten the mounting bolt.
3. Be careful to keep the sides of the bearing
parallel to the blade when tightening this
bolt.
Lower Blade Guide’s Roller Bearing
The roller bearing (98) directly below the
Bandsaw table serves two functions: It guides
the blade onto the drive wheel and it backs up
the blade beneath the table while you’re cut-
ting. Like the auto-track roller bearing, its
front-to-back position is fixed and shouldn’t
be changed. However, the entire lower blade
guide assembly, including the bearing, may
be adjusted side-to-side.
1. If adjustment is needed, loosen the guide
blocks (101,106)-if you haven’t done so
already-and pull them out about 1/16"
from the blade.
2. Loosen the 1/2" mounting bolt (110) which
holds the lower blade guide assembly to
the Bandsaw frame, as seen in Fig. A-5.
The head of this mounting bolt can be
reached from the back of the Bandsaw, just
above the trunnion.
