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27
You're now up and running! Good job!
However, before you stick this manual up on the top shelf in your shop library, may we please
have your attention for just a bit longer? Specifically, we would like to review some maintenance
material with you. This way, you can be assured of the fine quality of operation that you are seeing
now — ten years from now and longer.
XII. EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
Owing to the fact that all of the running gear runs on ball bearings, you will find that this machine
requires very little maintenance. However, a word to the wise; A little maintenance does not mean
no maintenance! We will review machine maintenance here, from the perspectives of both
repairs and preventative techniques. Please see to it that this work is done. A little effort here will
richly reward you in terms of equipment dependability and accuracy, as well as lowest possible
total cost of operation.
A. LUBRICATION
All of the bearings on this machine incorporate shielded ball bearings. Lubrication is not required
on your part for the life of the bearings.
As an approximate yardstick for bearing life, the saw wheel bearings and the motor bearings, in
commercial service - i.e. 3 to 4 running hours per day, 5 days a week - should reasonably last
about 4 to 5 years. Of course, there will be variations to this, so only regard this as a rough
estimate.
It's easy to tell if a bearing is failing. The first sign is when the saw picks up a rumble that it never
had before, and that momentarily gets noisier under load. If allowed to get worse, the next thing
that happens is more pronounced rumbling noises, plus the journal containing the offending
bearing will start running hotter than normal. These two conditions, noise and heat, will continue
to get worse as deterioration progresses. Final failure is seizure. Of course, we know that none of
our customers would ever permit matters to get this bad, right?
Actually, the only parts on this saw that require periodic lubrication on your part are the half moon
trunnions on the table adjusting system. To refresh your memory, these are shown in Figure 14
on page 18. Clean sawdust and spent lubricant off them, then lubricate the mating surfaces with 6
to 8 drops or so of 20 or 30 weight automotive engine oil. (You may want to give the guide bar a
shot of oil.)
That's about it on routine lubrication services. Next, let's look at service on the drive belt.
B. V-BELT MAINTENANCE
We recommend that you go about V-belt maintenance in the following manner:
Correct tension on your belts is achieved when you can press on one in the middle of the track,
between the two sheaves, with moderate pressure from your thumb, and deflect it ABOUT
you may wish to review Figure 6 on page 11. This is somewhat subjective, of course, but please
keep in mind that belts that are too tight will bind, run hot, and have a shortened life. That's pretty
clear, right?
So far as adjustment goes, review the methods we previously outlined on page 10. The belt
tension should be checked and, if need be, adjusted every 3 months. If used in a commercial
environment, do this monthly. Make sure pulleys are secure and in line on shafts.
Note: Do not get oil or grease on the belts. Their performance and life will be reduced.
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