Startrite 352 Advice

Hi All

I'm looking for anyone that has a Startrite 352..

I have just purchased one and nee to know how I can take the top wheel off as I can't get the nut off once I've took the top wheel off which is making me wander if it should come off at all

I can't get the blade to sit in the centre of both wheels and the blade is sitting back about 3mm when I use a level to check it on the table

Thanks

A while since I took it apart but seem to recall there was something that allowed parallel adjustment aswell as tilt. Sounds like you are thinking of putting a washer on the axle to move it forward. The nut wouldn't normally have to come off during the expected lifetime so might have been loctited for safety. I'll have a look in mre detail tomorrow if nobody comes up with better advice.

Hi Bazyle

Thanks for the reply..

I got the bandsaw from a school for next to nothing and I believe it feel over at some point in time which is probably why it is hard to adjust but I'm sure I can overcome it using either a washer or like you say parallel setting which I've not read about so any help would be good

Thanks

Not sure I understand your last sentence about the blade sitting back 3mm.

Anyway, before you start messing around with washers and shims, sort out the tracking. Remove all the blade guides and supports, fit the blade and spin the wheels by hand. It doesn't matter where on the wheels the blade sits (within reason) - in any case that will change with different widths of blade. What matters is that it stays in the same place as you spin the wheels, and doesn't work its way forward or back and come off.

If the blade comes off the wheel, adjust the tracking by turning the knurled knob on the top wheel centre. If the machine has been dropped or damaged so as to twist the frame then you may have to think about either 'untwisting' it, or compensating by using shims or washers on the wheel mounting components.

Once you have the blade tracking ok, then adjust the table so it is at 90° to the blade - the left/right adjustment is easy as, but forward/backward you may have to shim the table mounting points.

Once you've done the above, you can re-fit the blade guides and supports. These must not be used to actually position the blade, just to support it when making a cut. Nip up the side guides using a bit of newspaper between the guide and the blade To give a couple of thou clearance. Adjust the carbide tipped rod that provides support to the back of the blade so it is a mm or two away. This gap will close up when you take a cut, but return when you take the pressure off.

If you do actually discover that the bandsaw frame is twisted out of shape you might need a bit more help - it is sheet steel construction so potentially easier to get back into shape compared with something that has a cast iron frame, but it might involve a fair bit of dismantling.

Also, where are you located? It might help in case you need to look at someone else's machine or make some comparative measurements.

A photo of the top wheel on my 352, showing the knurled adjustment screw, and the three bolts holding the wheel to the spindle assembly:

I have one of those bandsaws,bought some years ago. I was never happy with it,was very disappointed with it,s performance and never really bothered much with it after that.With hindsight,I think there were better machines around,which I should have looked at. Trying to change the speed was a total pain and the belt did not like staying on the pullys,why they could not have used simple Vee belts,I do not know. So much for the name !

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the advice and I've manage to strip and sort out with a little table shimming

Cheers

Hello I have just sold my husbands Startrite 352 bandsaw, can anyone advise me about the best way to get it out of the workshop please? someone said they have wheels but I cant see any and when I tried to move it, it was difficult and there wasnt any wheel rolling, thank you

There should be two small wheels under the opposite side from where the handle is. They are quite small and only useful if the floor is dead smooth. If you lift the handle,you should be able to move the machine

Thank you, I will give that a go, the red peddle, is that a brake? am reluctant to just press everything just in case i make matters worse.