Johnson Model B Bandsaw motor HP?

[vicburn454]

Hello all,
New to this site. I just finished restoring a Johnson model B band saw SN 6007. I replaced every bearing and all the seal, rebuild the coolant pump and installed new tubing for the suction and discharge lines. I put a 11 tpi blade on it, and made a few cuts on some CS plate. I could only run the saw at its lowest speed, as the motor couldn’t handle the two other speed settings. The motor on this saw is only a 1/3 HP motor, so I’m not sure if it’s the original one. So first question: Does anyone know if these models came originally with a 1/3 HP motor?

Second Question: Will a 1/2 or 3/4 HP motor be better suited for this saw?

The coolant pump works fine after it’s been primed, however after shutting the saw off, the pump loses it’s prime and I have to use a vacuum pump on the discharge line in order for the pump to operate correctly again.

Question: will a check valve in the suction line resolve this issue, or is there something I need to do to the pump itself?

Thanks for any help,
Vic

 

[Ohio Mike]

There were Johnson Model Bs with a 1/3 HP motors. I think the later Kysor-Johnsons era machines were 1/2 HP. The model J saws had a 3/4 HP motor.

 

[cranium]

Mine has original factory 1/2 hp.
Still works fine fine.

 

[vicburn454]

Thanks guys. The one I’m restoring came with a 1/3 HP motor, but it will only operate correctly at the slowest speed, any other pulley position bogs down the motor. So it looks like I can upgrade the motor to a 1/2 HP without over stressing the gear box.