Axminster HBS310N Bandsaw drive belt adjustment

[Claymore]

Hi,
I am almost ready to turn my new bandsaw on and have set the blade/guides/table etc but noticed the drive belt wasn't on grrrrrrr I want to fit it to the fastest setting but can't get it onto the pulleys....... i fit it to the small one and then try and loop it onto the large one but no luck. I have a problem with my hand/arm so not exactly easy to handle.
Does anyone have any tips on how to fit it? I have seen some bandsaws where the motor moves slightly so you can get the belt on but not on my model.
Cheers
Brian

 

[John15]

Hi Brian,
Sorry to hear your bandsaw belt problem. As it's a new one I would ring Axi for some advice/info. They are usually very helpful.
Cheers,
John

 

[Spragnut]

I purchased this bandsaw a few weeks ago when they had it on promotion, got myself a great deal as they made an error on the first day and reduced it by £90 too much

I too had problems with the belt, never seemed to want to stay on the pulleys and kept slipping off either one. Think persistence got me there in the end, I do remember fully slackening the belt tension knob, getting the belt on the big pulley and easing it onto the smaller one whilst tightening the tension. Hasn't come off since. But it was a pain.

Had lot's of success with it once I got the belt sorted and purchasing some blades from Tuffsaws as per everyone's recommendations.

 

[Claymore]

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[Claymore]

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[Claymore]

I have been looking at the drive belt pulleys on the band saw and maybe i'm daft but if the small pulley(for slow metal cutting) lines up with the pulley on the 12" wheel how can the the larger pulley (for fast wood cutting) line up when it is approx 1/2" behind the smaller one? the belt must be at an angle so no wonder it comes off the pulleys?
Hope this makes sense
I have emailed Axminster so hopefully they will be able to help.
keep ya posted
Brian

 

[CHJ]

There should be two pulleys on both motor shaft and behind the lower saw blade drive wheel
Larger motor pulley goes to smaller drive pulley at he back of the blade drive wheel.

At least that is standard practise on belt drives to keep a constant belt length.

 

[Claymore]

That sounds like it might work! I haven't noticed a smaller pulley on the 12" wheel but will check in the morning now why didn't i think of that? lol
I does make sense and if so the belt would be inline and won't come off the pulleys.
Cheers
Brian

 

[Claymore]

I have been out and checked and I think you are right! i have found the smaller diameter pulley behind the large wheel and tried putting the belt on it and the larger on the bottom pulley and they are inline! but the belt is so big it won't tension unless you put the tensioning doodah on the inside of the belt and move it away from the large wheel. Could the belt be the wrong size hence reason it was loose in the saw when it arrived?
Will check with Axminster today and see what they say but its looking like you were spot on
Cheers and thanks for your help
Brian

 

[Claymore]

Been in touch with Axminster and jobs sorted getting a replacement belt as the one with the machine is too big by around 1" so no wonder it wouldn't stay on the pulleys.
Must say though Axminster customer services are superb and have gone out of their way to help... unlike another company i bought a CNC machine off who wouldn't help when it was faulty and had to threaten them with courts before they would admit the machine was crap and refunded me.
Thanks again for everyones help and i will soon be butchering some wood!
Cheers
Brian

 

[Claymore]

Got my bandsaw belt today and fits perfect........ great service from Axminster as usual
Cheers
Brian