12" Bandsaw Tune Up

My 9 year old Hafco Woodmaster BP-305 12 inch bandsaw gets a little care in this tune up video.

[@melindasingle2991]

Thanks heaps for that advice mate. Will have a look at the points you have mentioned and see how I go. Much appreciated. 😁👍🏻

[@proto4975]

No problem 👍

[@katebennett371]

Hi, thanks for your great video. Can I please ask what you cleaned your upper wheel tyre with? Regards, Kate

[@proto4975]

I ended up using my thumbnail. I didnt want to use anything metalic for fear of damaging the tyre. and my thumbnail was on hand.

[@johnhambidge3]

any idea how I adjust the tracking of the blade? It doesn't run evenly around the wheels and wants to move forward.

[@proto4975]

Tracking adjustment is on the back in the centre of the top wheel. For a blade moving forward a clockwise adjustment (looking from the back) should work. I run the blade tracking on the top wheel with the back of the gullet just forward of the centre of the crown on the wheel (the middle fo the rubber tyre). This reduces blade wandering in the cut, but may not eliminate it as there are many factors to drift.

[@mikepotter1646]

I also have this machine but the lower guide has broken. Hafco are unable to supply a replacement. Does anyone have any ideas as I am a newby to these machines.

[@proto4975]

The lower guide is available for the current model but you will need to devise a mounting system as it's not a direct bolt on replacement.. based on what I can see from photos on the Hafco website.

[@michaelsingle4688]

Very helpful video mate. I have just purchased this very machine second hand in very good condition although it did have very similar issues to the ones you have addressed. It does however seem to have some excessive vibration on the table that I'm having trouble getting rid of. Any ideas. Cheers.👍

[@proto4975]

Hi Michael. Excessive vibration on the table would make me crazy. I'd look at two things. Firstly the source of the vibration. a) Maybe an out of balance wheel. Remove the blade (or belt) and spin the wheels in place. the heavy side will always stop at the bottom. b) May be an eccentric drive pulley. I found mine was a little worn and tightening up the grub screw did pull it eccentric (I can see that in the video). Too much wear in the pulley bore and you may need to add a thin bass or aluminium (coke can) shim. Secodly, look at furming up the table. I did by sinching down both tilt mechanism bolts hard. This locks the table in the horizontal position and removes all but the flex inherent to the trunion glides themselves. I hope this helps you chase it down. Good luck.

[@payres48]

Hi, I have just come across your video and found it helpful. I have been considering getting the BP 255 10" model (primarily due to budget limitations), however I am now drawn to the BP 310 12" model. Looking at the Machinery House website there is a price difference of $385 between the two machines. I am basically a home woodwork hobbyist and wondering if its worth going to the larger machine. Do you have an opinion either way? Cheers from Adelaide.

[@craiggbuckmaster5674]

Hi Paul I just watched a video from another KZbinr basically saying get the bigger one now. He was talking tractors and his specific advice was… when you’ve settled on the one you want.. get the next model up in the range. I actually had the same choice when I bought mine. The 10” seemed to be all I needed. But I ended up dropping the extra cash in on the 12” and haven’t regretted it. I can’t even remember the cost difference almost ten years later. I like the features of some of the 10” models on the market. But I think the size and power of the 12” saw is worth the extra outlay. The difference now is relatively small compared to the cost of a later upgrade. I see it as a 10 year purchase. So divide the difference by 10 and then think about how many coffees that amount would buy in a year… not that many. I’ve found my 12” saw to be a great compromise for a budget conscious small workshop. Go for it Paul!

[@payres48]

@@craiggbuckmaster5674 Hi Craig, thanks for your response. I am inclined to agree about going up to the next model. As you say if you look at it as a 10 year purchase with a price difference of $385 between the two models that's $38.50 a year. That's around 10 or so coffees. Kind of makes sense really. Thanks for your opinion, you've convinced me.

[@proto4975]

I think you'll appreciate the 1hp motor. Coffe looks a bit cheaper in SA than here.