Powermatic PM1800 operating instructions Lower Blade Guides

The v-shaped groove is for blades 1/8” wide or smaller. The flat bottomed groove supports blades over 1/8” to 3/16” wide. The non-groovedstandard bearing surface at the left is for blades over 3/16” wide. (The blade provided with your band saw is 3/4” wide, thus must ride along the flat non-grooved surface of the bearing, as shown in Figure 32.)

1.Loosen the socket head cap screw (E, Figure 29) and push the thrust bearing bracket laterally to desired position.

2.Re-tighten the socket head cap screw (E).

3.Loosen the locking screw (F) and push the thrust bearing up to the back of the blade.

4.Adjust the thrust bearing until the space between the thrust bearing surface (or groove bottom) and the back edge of the blade is approximately 0.015” (1/64”). On the non-grooved surface, a convenient way to achieve this spacing is by placing a dollar bill folded twice (four thicknesses of a dollar bill is approximately 1/64”) between blade and thrust bearing. If using a groove, set this distance by eye.

5.Tighten locking screw (F).

6.Make sure all locking screws on the upper guide bearing assembly are tightened when adjustments are finished.

Lower Blade Guides

Refer to Figure 33.

1.Disconnect band saw from power source.

2.Open lower door and lower blade guard.

3.Adjust the lower guide bearings and lower thrust bearing below the table, using the same procedure and measurements as for the upper guide bearings and upper thrust bearing described above.

Movement summary: Loosen locking lever

(G)to move guide bracket using dial (H). Loosen knob (J) to rotate side bearings, using (K) and (L). Loosen locking screw (M) to slide thrust bearing toward blade.

4.Make sure all screws, knobs and lever are tightened when adjustments are complete.

NOTE: The locking lever (G, Figure 33) can be re-positioned if needed. Simply pull out on the lever, rotate it on the hub, and release it. Make sure it re-seats itself on the hub.

Figure 32

Figure 33

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