Rockwell 28-200 setup

[jon951]

I'm fixing up this bandsaw that someone literally put to curb as junk. All it needed was light surface rust removal and ALL new roller bearings (including the motor's), tires and blade guard. It's a great find. It now looks like new.

Everything is almost back together, but I find that the upper and lower wheels are not on the same plane. When I place a long straight-edge vertically across the rim of the lower wheel, I see that the upper wheel rim is a good 1/4" farther back than the lower wheel. A 1/4" seems like a lot.

I'm sure the lower bearing is fully seated. I could put a spacer behind the upper wheel to shim it out, but that would move its outer bearing nearly half-way off the machined surface of the upper spindle, which doesn't seem right.

I didn't check this before dismantling, but I would assume they should line up, correct?

I don't have any documentation for this saw. I do have the exploded parts diagram from acetoolrepair.com. The only thing missing seems to be two spring washers that go inboard of the lower/rear (drive pulley end) bearing on the lower wheel shaft. These would not effect the lateral positioning of the lower wheel. I'm not even sure what purpose they serve.

Any suggestions? Does anyone have documentation on this saw?

Jon.

[A.M. Wood]

Try owwm.com for the documentation

Search the owwm.org archives for information on the wheel positioning

AM Wood

[Andy]

You suck. Good find! Andy

[jon951]

Thanks for owwm link -- lots of good stuff there.

Havent been able to find a users manual yet, but they did have a cleaner version of the exploded assembly and parts list.

Regarding the wheel alignment, in searching this forum and owwm, it looks like this is a "religion and politics" debate as to whether they are supposed to be coplanar or not. It would certainly seem to me as though they were designed to be out of plane, since the lower wheel cannot be moved back, and shimming the upper wheel by 1/4" seems excessive. The bottom line is how it will track. Have yet to mount the tires before I can fire it up.

Does anyone know the purpose of the two "bearing loading springs" located inboard of the bearing on the lower wheel shaft, drive-pulley side. It looks like these are wavy washers, that go in the bearing bore before pressing in the bearing. Mine are missing, yet the shaft seems to spin nicely. Perhaps they insure the outer race presses against the casting bore?

Jon.

[Swingman]

FWIW, Iturra (888-883-8064, no website) has Delta Wheel Shim Kits for both the upper and lower wheels. Iturra recommends on the Delta to shim the upper wheel since it is easier to access. Shims range in thickness from .001 - .125.

You will want to get Iturra to send you their catalog ... it is full of information about Delta bandsaws and plenty of replacement/upgrade parts. An excellent resource for Delta/Jet 14" bandsaw owners, including their take on the co-planar issue.

Give'em a call ... you won't regret it.