chrisphr Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 Found a Grizzly 555 bandsaw on Craig's list and spent this morning trying to familiarize myself with it and tune it up. I plan on getting a riser block for it and some decent blades but first wanted to tune it with the blade that came with the purchase, to be sure there are no major flaws with the tool before I sink more cash in it. Couple things, I found a set screw in which the socket was stripped out such that I can't get it to secure. Doesn't look like a critical part of the tool, but wanted to check. Also it appears the wheels are not co-planer, so need to shim the top wheel. Anyone know where I can get shims, or an idea to make some (with limited tools)? Locally the washers I found have too large outside diameter. Thanks! Here's a picture of the bandsaw: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted April 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 Sorry, I don't think the picture trying to show the set screw issue was clear. There is supposed to be a set screw with a nut on it on both sides, you can see from the picture the missing set screw on the right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 Hey Chrisphr, I have had great success with Fastenal for purchasing washers and arbor shims for all sorts of specialty repairs if you cannot get parts directly for your Grizzly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 Sometimes the wheels are not meant to be coplaner. I know that sounds counter intuitive but some bandsaws are designed that way. I would run the saw first and see if it effects function and not mess with it unless you discover an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted April 19, 2014 Report Share Posted April 19, 2014 I don't think you need shims to adjust the wheel on that one. I think there's an adjustment. Suggest heading over to Grizzly's site and down loading the manual. http://cdn0.grizzly.com/manuals/g0555lx_m.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted April 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 Thanks! How important is it to be coplanar? I got it to track on the crown of the wheels easy enough, but the wheel on the top is at a defiantly at an angle to the wheel below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 You'll have to check the manual.. To be honest, it's been so long since I've had to adjust mine that I just don't recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 An empty beverage can and a pair of scissors will result in about 100" square of shim stock. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted April 20, 2014 Report Share Posted April 20, 2014 An empty beverage can and a pair of scissors will result in about 100" square of shim stock. Yup, used those free shims on my jointer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted April 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Thanks all, soda can - shim idea is a good one! I'll tackle this again next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 Can't speak specifically to your bandsaw but changing the tilt on the upper wheel slightly is how my bandsaw adjusts the tracking of the blade. It doesn't move the entire wheel in and out but rather pushes in and out the bottom of the block to which the wheel is mounted. That entire block, in turn, is moved up and down to adjust the tension on the blade. Again, I have to stress that if your blade is tracking and tensioning properly and you're getting good cuts you shouldn't be monkeying with the set up of the saw because it doesn't fit your sense of logic. It may be a purposeful design facet of the saw. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 I agree w/ Byrdie. I have the exact same saw and ain't no way mine's coplanar and it works great. Take a look at this before ya start shimin!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU About the 6 min. mark 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikem Posted April 21, 2014 Report Share Posted April 21, 2014 I have the G0555P, and I have never checked the wheels to see if they are coplaner. I make sure the blade tracks on center. As long as the blade is sharp, I get no drift. I use a 1/4" 6TPI Timberwolf blade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted April 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Thanks for the ideas and helpful video (for the entire tuning process). If all the cool kids aren't worried about coplanar then neither will I! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodieboy Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 By any chance, have you watched the Band saw tune up video of Alex Snodgrass? Check it out first before messing your wheels. Get good quality band saw blades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 By any chance, have you watched the Band saw tune up video of Alex Snodgrass? Check it out first before messing your wheels. Get good quality band saw blades. I watched it this morning, great link and good advice. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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