ridgid bansaw problem

[countinsheep]

My 14" Ridgid bandsaw that I bought about 9 months ago started making a low rubling noise this evening. I turned it off to find the tire on the top wheel had slid back. I loosened the blade move the tire back, tightened everything back up, centered/adjusted the blade and started the saw.....about 30 seconds later, same thing, tired moved again. Does this mean the tire needs to be replaced?

Thank you!

II

[Roger]

I worked in the Sears hardware dept for 5 years and ran into this problem a few times. Here are a few things you can try:

1) Balance the wheel by adjusting the set screws cam adjustments on the top wheel.according to the manual. 2) take the wheel off the machine, place it on a spindle that has been centered and squared. And then touch the outer rim with a piece of chalk and turn the wheel. The chalk will mark any high/low spots on the wheel. Once found, the wheel can be trued with a slight sanding. 3) once the trueing is done as above, take the sandpaper and lightly roughen the router rim of the wheel and then purchase a can of drive belt anti slip spray from your auto store and spray the wheel and the belt. 4) And then do it with the lower wheel. 5) Then with the blade on the machine, place a sharpening stone behind the blade and round off the back (squared) side of the blade.DO THE WITH THE POWER OFF AND TURN THE BLADE BY HAND!!!!!

This may solve your problem. It worked in the past for minor repairs on Craftsman saws it should work on yours. If that fails buy a new belt, the one on it is to stretched. or if you like and the tool is still under the return policy. Return it and explain why.

Roger

[C & E]

I had the same issue. I bought the Rockler polyurethane tire and the problem was solved. If you do this, one suggestion -OK, maybe a couple. Follow the directions with respect to soaking in hot water. Get a friend to help. Each of you use a *phillips* screwdrives to pry them onto the wheel. One of your holds fast at one point while the other works it around and gets the tire centered.

The saw has other issues, primarilly vibration. I added a link belt (stay away from the Harbor Freight version - bad reviews) and I balanced the wheels by drilling material from the web at the heavy point. The factory drillings weren't even close. I also added Cool Block guide blocks but that can be done any time.

[mapdude]