John E
Cast Iron
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Location
- MD Eastern Shore
It's been a very long time since I've been active on PM, so hopefully I won't be in violation of any rules (which I have reviewed).
I have been gifted a 1924 Silver Mfg 36 inch bandsaw, purchased new by Mathis Yachts of Camden NJ, later renamed Trumpy which moved to Gloucester NJ, and ultimately to Annapolis MD where they closed up shop in 1974. It was sold to an employee and subsequently my father bought it and recently gave it to me. As it is not a Ships Saw it was relegated to cabinetry I suspect, and probably helped 'build' all the big Trumpys.
My father did a near complete restoration of the saw but never had it under power. It came with the original (or at least 100% period correct) Westinghouse induction motor. I now have the motor restored and powered up, along with the saw drive wheel, which brings me to a point that I am not accustomed to - not sure what to do next. I'm able to pretty much figure out anything, but aligning the wheel shaft babbitt bearing blocks is not a task I've ever encountered before. I have some ideas, but I am hoping someone can provide some guidance.
The horizontal adjustment is likely done with shims, but the axial alignment has 4 setscrews, 2 on end end, and lots of range. The upper wheel looks to be minimally adjustable, although I have not opened anything up to confirm, yet. The motor is attached to a matching adjustable mounting plate, which along with the saw is attached to a massive wooden base. There is no axial adjustment of the motor, other than the play in the 4 bolts. It was used for decades this way before my father got it, so I assume it was properly aligned back then. There are 2 threaded castings on the mount under the motor which appear to be used to prevent the motor from racking when under tension, however the hardware to attach to the motor is missing.
As it sat when I test powered it, the new 4" flat belt drifts off the pulleys clearly indicating basic 'line shaft' type alignment is off. With no ability to change the motor alignment, more than maybe 1 degree, I suspect the wheel shaft alignment is off from the restoration work. I centered the bearing block in it's range and the belt only drifts a little now. A straightedge across the drive wheel pulley roughly aligns with where I would expect it to on the motor pulley.
I've spent lots of quality time on the Vintage Machinery website (going back easily a decade for other machines I've worked on), but I was not successful in finding anything on this kind of alignment. The internet was even less helpful with a gazillion bandsaw alignment hits, none of which address bearing block alignment.
Hopefully someone here has, been there, done that, and willing to share! Thanks!
I will add a few pics later. I can't seem to find any that I have, which includes lying it on its side, using a 1947 marine chrysler straight eight as ballast. That's a whole other saga.
John
Next project up - Royersford Excelsior 21" camelback drill, age unknown. And helping a friend pour new babbitt bearings in an American Machinery 16" Buzz Planer.
I have been gifted a 1924 Silver Mfg 36 inch bandsaw, purchased new by Mathis Yachts of Camden NJ, later renamed Trumpy which moved to Gloucester NJ, and ultimately to Annapolis MD where they closed up shop in 1974. It was sold to an employee and subsequently my father bought it and recently gave it to me. As it is not a Ships Saw it was relegated to cabinetry I suspect, and probably helped 'build' all the big Trumpys.
My father did a near complete restoration of the saw but never had it under power. It came with the original (or at least 100% period correct) Westinghouse induction motor. I now have the motor restored and powered up, along with the saw drive wheel, which brings me to a point that I am not accustomed to - not sure what to do next. I'm able to pretty much figure out anything, but aligning the wheel shaft babbitt bearing blocks is not a task I've ever encountered before. I have some ideas, but I am hoping someone can provide some guidance.
The horizontal adjustment is likely done with shims, but the axial alignment has 4 setscrews, 2 on end end, and lots of range. The upper wheel looks to be minimally adjustable, although I have not opened anything up to confirm, yet. The motor is attached to a matching adjustable mounting plate, which along with the saw is attached to a massive wooden base. There is no axial adjustment of the motor, other than the play in the 4 bolts. It was used for decades this way before my father got it, so I assume it was properly aligned back then. There are 2 threaded castings on the mount under the motor which appear to be used to prevent the motor from racking when under tension, however the hardware to attach to the motor is missing.
As it sat when I test powered it, the new 4" flat belt drifts off the pulleys clearly indicating basic 'line shaft' type alignment is off. With no ability to change the motor alignment, more than maybe 1 degree, I suspect the wheel shaft alignment is off from the restoration work. I centered the bearing block in it's range and the belt only drifts a little now. A straightedge across the drive wheel pulley roughly aligns with where I would expect it to on the motor pulley.
I've spent lots of quality time on the Vintage Machinery website (going back easily a decade for other machines I've worked on), but I was not successful in finding anything on this kind of alignment. The internet was even less helpful with a gazillion bandsaw alignment hits, none of which address bearing block alignment.
Hopefully someone here has, been there, done that, and willing to share! Thanks!
I will add a few pics later. I can't seem to find any that I have, which includes lying it on its side, using a 1947 marine chrysler straight eight as ballast. That's a whole other saga.
John
Next project up - Royersford Excelsior 21" camelback drill, age unknown. And helping a friend pour new babbitt bearings in an American Machinery 16" Buzz Planer.