Jet 14" Band Saw

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Jim15

Jim15

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Hamilton, Ohio, USA.
Hello,
Does anyone have a Jet 14" band saw, and had trouble with the tensioning screw? I am having a problem with the screw and the square nut on the bottom freezing up. I added a riser block and when I try to add tension to the 5/8" blade it gets to about 1/2" on the tensioning guide and it locks up. Jet has sent me replacement parts free of charge but can't help with the problem. This has happened twice now and I don't know what I am doing wrong, and I really don't want it to happen a third time. If anyone has had a similar experience I would appreciate any input. It's like the metal on the tensioning screw is to soft and the nut is deforming the threads.

Thank you,
 
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It sounds to me like the threads may be getting banged up by something other than the pieces you've replaced ...

I assume the rod was replaced. Was the nut replaced as well?

If not, then I'd suspect the nut. But if you have replaced the nut, I'd suspect something else. If you back the tension off, do the mangled threads go into any holes like the spring, the carriage or the main casting? If so, take the whole mess apart and look for any kind of evidence of wear on those holes. The problem could be that the rod is flexing as you're working it and rubbing against something hard and that tears the threads up.

My first thought is that it's likely the spring since I'm sure that'd be a harder steel than the rod is. My second thought would be the carriage, since that's about the only place I think those threads would reach. I mean the threads involved in going past 1/2", of course. So I'd check those two areas for sure. Maybe a round file is all ya need to stop this from happening.

OR!!

Have you tried this without a blade at all? It could be that the blade is a bit short and preventing further tensioning. When you say locks up, do you mean flat out freezes as though you hit a stop or does it just get harder and harder to turn?

OR!!!

Maybe, this is a long shot, maybe the carriage is binding in it's travel and your feeling the "lock up" there. Check that the carriage slides easily in all manners of friction - i mean, press on it in weird ways, try to get it to jam. Just because it wiggles in there without a blade and some tension on it, doesn't mean the tension isn't causing it to bind somehow.

But...

Trouble with my last two ideas is that the spring should be in play with both of them. Meaning that if either of those two ideas was the problem, your spring would compress fully before you really met much resistence. So maybe I don't have enough info - any other details you could provide if the threads aren't getting banged up?
 
I took a look at mine and it sounds as if you are reading the tension gauge figures incorrectly.

5/8" is on the bottom of the casting and graduates to 1/2" then 3/8", 1/4" and finally 1/8" is on top. The smaller the blade, the more tension.

I have the 6" riser and am usin 105" blades. I do not have a problem with the threads. Prior to adding the riser block, I did have a wheel tracking adjustment arm, located in the same area, break and I had to order new parts. I was running too much tension and had a 3/4" blade on it. When it worked, it was super. Now I stay with 1/2" or less.

Check the tension figures you are trying to set.
 
Originally posted by beamer
<br />That's weird, Jim. Mine goes the other way ... The smaller the blade, the LESS the tension needed.
Click to expand...

Man do I need to get better glasses...that must be the problem all along besides another senior moment...

Absolutely correct (and I can post a photo if necessary). The scale is graduated with 3/4 on top and 1/8 on the bottom. Less than 1/8 is just plain loose.

Now on to the question at hand: Locking up past 1/2 enroute to a 5/8 tightening position!

Is the spring bottoming out so that further compression is not possible?
Are the threads on the rod and nut in good shape? not stripped?
Are you able to move the assembly through its range without a blade attached?
With riser are you using a 105 blade length? actually measured?

If the spring isn't bottoming out, my next guess would be that you have a longer blade. This would account for the bearing block moving a greater distance thus the tightening/adjustment rod/nut just runs out of threads before it is able to compress any further.

Sorry about the earlier figures and I thank beamer for pointing out the error of my ways!
 
Jim, my 14" bandsaw was doing the same thing until I found a replacement tensioner and nut at highland hardware. I haven't had any problems with this bad boy.
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5620

I hope this link works. if not it can be found on page three of bandsaw accessories at highlandwoodworking.com
 
Nice replacement piece Don.
Here is the tension block photo. Not the best - macro - dark shop - handheld but you can make out the numbers - Right Beamer?

jet-14_tension.jpg
 
Hello Everyone,
First of all thanks everyone for your response it gives me something to tryout.
Don: Thanks for the replacement website but I don't think it will work as the tensioning screw on my Jet has 7" of thread becausr it has two threaded stop collars that also go on the rod.

Let me add this is the Jwbs-14DX model which (as far as I can tell) is the same as the regular band saw but this one has a quick release lever.



2007728172419_Bandsaw-1.jpg
<br />

I know the picture is bad but it might give you an idea of the setup.

Beamer: Yes the screw and the nut were replaced. By locking up I mean the threads get messed up and the nut will not turn either way. I've had to cut the screw in half with a hacksaw to get the other pieces off. Also the spring while compressed to about 1/2" is not fully compressed. The threads are messed up buy just hand turning the knobs (no tools used on it).

I know it's probably something simple that I am doing wrong but I can't figue it out.

The new parts have arrived. I will post in the next day or two how it works out.

Again thanks for the responses,
jim
 
I was looking at the quick release in the previous post in this thread and found a shop made quick release. I may give it a try. Take a look: http://www.mv.com/users/besposito/woodworking/quickrelease/

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Don, Thanks for the posting of the quick release. I was looking for one also.

Jim, I hope that you get this worked out.

Mike
 
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