Bandsaw help

M

MikeF

Active member
I know some of you restore old machinery. I am looking for help with my Grandpas old Biro super BB bandsaw.
My Grandpa was an electrician and had rewired it to run on 115v. It was stored in an open barn. My grandma used it to cut firewood after he died. She told me I could have it if I could get it out of the barn. Glad I got it out, someone went in and stole everything out of the barn a couple years later.
Anyway, The motor is locked up. I cant find any plate on it telling me RPM, amps, voltage, etc. I think it is 3hp, its a huge motor. It is frozen up. I need to replace it or have it rebuilt. My grandpa bought this saw in the late 70s early 80s. It was a butchers saw, but he bought it for woodworking. Built several Dulcimores and a ton of wooden toys using it. Was building a violin when he died. I would like to get it running so I can use it, eventually restore it.
Anyone know where I can find specs on this? Or advice.
 
Bring the motor to an electric motor rebuilder. They will be able to tell you if they can rebuild it or if you are better off replacing it, as well as recommending a replacement motor.
 
Mike, when you say the motor is "locked up", do you mean it just doesn't run, or the spindle can't be moved at all? Normally, a motor will spin easily by hand, even if the windings are burned out.
A frozen-in-place spindle is more likely a symptom of bad bearings. That's something you can easily fix yourself, and it normally doesn't cost much. In a typical motor, the covers can be removed from each end of the motor and the bearings are just pressed or slipped in. They vary a little in how they're assembled, but the mechanical arrangements of all the motors I have worked on were quite obvious. I just remove the old bearings first, one at a time, and order new ones from a bearing house or on eBay. I might point out that the bearings are usually not the same in both ends, the one in the pulley end of the motor being much bigger and more heavy-duty. Chances are that if the bearings locked up while the saw was in long-term storage, it will run fine once the bearings have been replaced.
If the motor turns by hand, but just buzzes when you turn it on, it is most likely a bad start capacitor or a bad or dirty centrifugal switch. These are easily replaced, and usually don't cost much.
I don't know why the windings would go bad just sitting there, but if they are bad, it will probably be far cheaper to just buy a new motor.
 
Last edited:
The motor on an old table saw I have was (locked up) and the solution was easy. It had oil caps over the shaft of the motor bearings so i used some old 3 in 1 oil and oiled it and let it sit . I would try to turn the shaft after filling the oil caps each time. three days later it broke free and turned easily. IT WORKS GREAT!!
Look for the oil caps and good luck, John
 
Some motors just have a small hole over the shafts. Oil the hole, try turning. Disconnect the motor and try to turn the shaft. Can't do any harm.
 
Even better. I will try oil and bearings. It does not turn easily. So that is a good place to start.
It made no noise when I tried to turn it on. I Know my Grandpa wired some things differently. Im not an electrician, but I just found out that a co-workers husband is and is willing to take a look.
 
Mike .... K and N Electric on Freya (700 N on the West side of the street I think?) is a long standing motor rebuilder here in town if you end up needing a rebuilder. Also have parts etc. I've used them a couple of times over the years for parts.
 
I should have just called you Brad. When I posted there was a motor on Craigslist that looked like a nearly perfect replacement, but I couldnt find any specs anywhere. He never answered me back, so now I have time again......
 
Mike

I really doubt you will have to buy a replacement motor. Older motors were built to last. Is it so old is has oil cups or does it have grease zerks, or maybe sealed bearings? End bells are easy to remove if needed. Can you post a picture?

Eric
 
Last edited:
When I can get to it I will take a picture. It does have a spot to pour oil in. Thanks for the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top