Powermatic PWBS-14 manual Power and Drive

The motor (left) is pre-installed in the enclosed base and sends its power through machined pulleys and an ultra-reliable Poly V-belt. The 9-spoke cast iron drive wheels (right) are fully machined, painted and fitted with tires before being dynamically balanced.

A perforated insert surrounds the blade with dust collection ports.

To help capture dust from above the table we developed a special insert plate with a grid of through holes. This creates a vacuum source surrounding the blade at the table surface to catch much of the dust other bandsaws leave on the surface.

We also added a dust brush that helps keep the lower drive wheel tire clean. This simple device limits the amount of dust that transfers on the blade to the upper wheel tire and cabinet. The result is cleaner, cooler-running blades and less dust contamination of the drive wheel tires.

To help keep the cut line clearly visible we added an integral air pump that supplies pressurized air to a nozzle attached to the upper blade guide. The air nozzle can be adjusted to keep dust from obscuring cut lines to allow you to work more accurately with fewer stops.

Power and Drive

The POWERMATIC PWBS-14 Bandsaw is powered by a 1 1/2HP TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled) industrial-style motor that comes wired for 115V operation but can be converted to 230V. Because POWERMATIC motors are rated at the continuous duty horsepower they produce and not a “peak” or “developed” number, blade speed remains stable and effective.

The motor power is delivered through a set of precision-machined multi-groove pulleys, driven by a Poly-V belt, known for it’s smooth, efficient transmission of power with very little temperature buildup. These qualities also give Poly V-belts a very long life.

Both wheels ride on power- saving, high-quality ball bearings that keep them tracking straight today and for many years to come.

The substantial motor power of the POWERMATIC PWBS-14 Bandsaw allows using cast iron drive wheels rather than aluminum or cheap pot metals. The additional weight of cast iron wheels absorbs blade- generated vibrations and imparts

a flywheel effect that stabilizes blade speed when the cutting gets tough.

Both cast iron drive wheels are fully machined, painted and fitted with high quality tires and then dynamically balanced to insure smooth operation. The tires have a special crown shape that helps stabilize blade tracking. The drive wheels turn on high-quality ball bearings for a long, smooth running life.