STARTRITE 351E BANDSAW

[paulkane1]

I have just bought a used Startrite 351E Bandsaw,I'm a novice when it comes to using Bandsaws,I'm confident the saw was sold with no problems,Since I've changed 2 Blades,they only stay on the wheel for 10-15mins then come off,The Startrite is a basic Bandsaw ,not a lot of knobs to play with,but,is the wheel screw at the top back Wheel,used for alignment purposes?(posted a image ) I believe I'm putting the right pressure on relevant blade widths,etc,I've noticed the Top Wheel is easily moved in and out ,while the bottom wheel is rigid with no flexibility ,should this be the case?All help is appreciated ,and some good links please.

Yours Kindly Paul

PS, I can't upload images ,too big

 

[sunnybob]

The top wheel can be sloped top out or top in, to stablize the blade.
DO NOT touch the bottom wheel!

Tension the blade so it moves side to side about an 1/8th inch just above the table.
Get the blade on, turn it quickly bu hand sveral times to see where the blade rests. Adjust the wheel angle so the blade teeth are just forward of the centre of the wheel. The gullet (bottom of tooth) should be about centre.
Make sure all blade guides are WELL AWAY from the blade while doing this

Only when you think its right should you turn it on for a few seconds, open the door and see if its moved.
Once you are happy the blade is running consistantly, then adjust the blade guides so they are about a *** paper away from the blade.
the side guides MUST be behind the teeth, or you will flatten them
The rear guides should be just far enough away for the blade to run free, but the blade should touch the rear guides under load before the teeth rub the side bearings

 

[Racers]

Are the blades new? if they aren't then get some new ones. Tuffsaws are recommended a lot.

If they are new then it sounds like a tracking problem, you need to turn the bottom wheel by hand and watch where the blade runs on the top wheel, it should stay in the middle, if it moves you need to adjust the tracking slowly while spinning the wheel. The blade guides need to be moves completely out of the way while doing this.
The top wheel needs to be movable to adjust the tracking.

Pete

 

[user 19915]

Have a look at this link hopefully it will help good luck
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

 

[Lons]

If you don't have a manual it's probably available to download at http://www.altsawsandspares.co.uk/spares.html
and here's another vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgGFHt1Dts

I have an old 352 which I find pretty easy to set up.

 

[paulkane1]

The top wheel can be sloped top out or top in, to stablize the blade.
DO NOT touch the bottom wheel!

Tension the blade so it moves side to side about an 1/8th inch just above the table.
Get the blade on, turn it quickly bu hand sveral times to see where the blade rests. Adjust the wheel angle so the blade teeth are just forward of the centre of the wheel. The gullet (bottom of tooth) should be about centre.
Make sure all blade guides are WELL AWAY from the blade while doing this

Only when you think its right should you turn it on for a few seconds, open the door and see if its moved.
Once you are happy the blade is running consistantly, then adjust the blade guides so they are about a *** paper away from the blade.
the side guides MUST be behind the teeth, or you will flatten them
The rear guides should be just far enough away for the blade to run free, but the blade should touch the rear guides under load before the teeth rub the side bearings

. Thanks Kindly For your help.

 

[paulkane1]

If you don't have a manual it's probably available to download at http://www.altsawsandspares.co.uk/spares.html
and here's another vid https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgGFHt1Dts

I have an old 352 which I find pretty easy to set up.[/quote Thanks for your help]

 

[paulkane1]

Have a look at this link hopefully it will help good luck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

. Thanks for the advise

 

[paulkane1]

Are the blades new? if they aren't then get some new ones. Tuffsaws are recommended a lot.

If they are new then it sounds like a tracking problem, you need to turn the bottom wheel by hand and watch where the blade runs on the top wheel, it should stay in the middle, if it moves you need to adjust the tracking slowly while spinning the wheel. The blade guides need to be moves completely out of the way while doing this.
The top wheel needs to be movable to adjust the tracking.

Pete

I got some blades from Tuff Saw,I think it's a tracking problem ok, Thanks for your time.

 

[paulkane1]

The top wheel can be sloped top out or top in, to stablize the blade.
DO NOT touch the bottom wheel!

Tension the blade so it moves side to side about an 1/8th inch just above the table.
Get the blade on, turn it quickly bu hand sveral times to see where the blade rests. Adjust the wheel angle so the blade teeth are just forward of the centre of the wheel. The gullet (bottom of tooth) should be about centre.
Make sure all blade guides are WELL AWAY from the blade while doing this

Only when you think its right should you turn it on for a few seconds, open the door and see if its moved.
Once you are happy the blade is running consistantly, then adjust the blade guides so they are about a *** paper away from the blade.
the side guides MUST be behind the teeth, or you will flatten them
The rear guides should be just far enough away for the blade to run free, but the blade should touch the rear guides under load before the teeth rub the side bearings

Thanks,I'll try your procedure tomorrow,and get back