14" Delta Bandsaw Replacement Tires

[Maui]

I have a vintage 1950s or 1960s Delta 14" band saw, and the tire on the top wheel just self-destructed. You can see the blade sitting in the groove in the wheel (no, I'm not running the band saw like this). I'm looking for a new set of tires and was hoping someone here has gone through this experience and can recommend a set from a specific company. I'm inclined to go for the urethane tires since people seem to have good luck with those, and apparently you don't need to glue them down. If possible, I'd like a set that are already crowned (I know, I'm asking for the moon). Any suggestions?

 

[gamescastspencer]

Urethane tires work ok until they don‘t. They expand with heat and while a more minor concern on a 14” Delta as the tires sit in a groove, they can slip off of the wheels and create a whole bunch colorful dental floss.

I‘d go rubber. You can get quality rubber tires from Woodworkers Tool Works or Carter Products, rubber cement or epoxy can be used to glue them. Pre crowned tires might sound alluring, but for best performance tires should be crowned after installation onto the wheel. Crowning on the wheel helps minimize the effect of any axial or radial runout in the wheel, so the blade will track truer.

It is a little bit more work for rubber, but in my opinion well worth it.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Here is a good video of how to install bandsaw tires.

https://m.youtube.com/live/zz04k-GMF38?t=98s

I used hairspray when attaching new urethane tires to a 14” bandsaw and it worked great. Enough stick to hold the tire in place but easily removable if desired.

 

[Maui]

This is exactly the type of advice I was looking for. Thanks gamescastspencer!

 

[rlitman]

Delta has crowned wheels. Just put the flat urethane tire on it, and you should be good to go (at least that's how it worked on the three Delta 14" saws that I've replaced the tires on).

I use hairspray to lubricate bicycle handlebar grips, and it works great, but when it came to tires, it was such a huge fight getting them on cold, I didn't bother with anything to improve stick. Boiled them in water for a minute, toweled dry and installed. They're not going anywhere once stuck in that groove.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I used urethane (blue) for years and never had an issue.

 

[Jgaz]

I have a 14” Delta bandsaw built in 1956.
Not being an expert in bandsaw tires I used these.
Ive had them on the saw for almost six years with zero issues

Sulpher Grove Tool Urethane Band... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H69UKI?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jlanciani]

I have a 14” Delta bandsaw built in 1956.
Not being an expert in bandsaw tires I used these.
Ive had them on the saw for almost six years with zero issues

Sulpher Grove Tool Urethane Band... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H69UKI?tag=atomicindus08-20

+1. I much prefer these over the carters or the cheap urethane tires. Rubber is nice, and more authentic, but a fair bit more work to install.

 

[RTM]

All the people I know that have Delta band saws love their Carter tires. I have not replaced them on my Laguna yet.