Craftsman Bandsaw Speed Reducer

[jtbinvalrico]

I finally managed to score a speed reducer for my Craftsman bandsaw. This reducer had been on the Bay for a very short time when I ran one of my daily searches and landed it with a buy it now for $45. The part number is 113.238961 and it is designed to provide a speed reduction down to 135fpm to cut metal.

It came nearly complete....missing only a rear mounting plate, pulley cover, and a wingnut assembly designed to tension the belt. The important parts were there, including belts in serviceable condition. Here's some pix:



I overcame the missing plate by making a different mounting setup. I used some angle bolted to the bandsaw frame and to the motor mounting plate to create a hinged platform. It's simple and effective - all I have to do to change the speeds is simply lift the weight of the motor/reducer assembly with the metal tab on the upper corner of the assembly.

It works very well. I don't think it's robust enough for day-in day-out use....but it's more than adequate for my metal-cutting needs. I'll probably set out to find another one of these saws (they go for about $75 around here), at which point I would dedicate one for wood and keep this one for metal after re-gearing the top speed for softer metals and keeping the 135fpm speed for harder metals.

I used this link to get some information about this, to include the manual scanned in by bluebolt: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122239&showall=1 Some folks were interested in the insides of this unit, so I took some measurements and photos for those inclined to make their own.......I'll have them up in a minute.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

So here's the insides:



Here's the diameters of the pulleys. The smaller one attaches to the motor shaft, leaving enough room to add the stock pulley in tandem. The ribbed belt is driven off the motor shaft, which then turns the two larger pulleys (those are made of a nylon material).

I flipped over the right nylon pulley to show the metal plate bolted to the back of it. A metal cog is welded to that plate. A chain connects the metal cog to another one which drives the "slow speed" pulley.


Changing speeds is as simple as moving the belt from one pulley to another. I can provide additional photos if needed.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Thanks!!

 

[bluebolt]

Nice find! Glad my post helped you out. How about some more pics of how you did the mount? I still need to add mine to my old saw.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Here's more info on the mounting. Looking at the exploded diagram in the manual, you can see that part number 9 is a plate that mounts to the bandsaw frame where the motor would normally go. It appears that the lower part of that mounting plate is then bolted to part number 4, the motor mounting base with two bolts to create a setup where the entire motor and speed reducer assembly are now hinged to the bandsaw frame. Part 15 and 16 are a wingnut assembly apparently designed to tension the belt after you have located it on one of the two drive pulleys. This is the diagram:

My unit was missing the plate to mount the assembly to the bandsaw frame, and the wingnut assembly. I simply used some angle to mount and hinge the assembly to the bandsaw frame:

Top view:

The hardest part was locating the two pieces of angle to get the belt to be in line with the upper pulley. I used C-clamps to mock it up and hold the pieces of angle in place until I was satisfied with the positioning:

Bolts with lock nuts to create the hinge:

I found that the assembly works just fine using it's own weight to tension the belt, so I didn't bother to duplicate the wingnut setup. The key is to size the bolts for a snug enough fit to limit twist and keep the mounted assembly square to the bandsaw frame. Lifting the unit by it's edge to change belt position takes five seconds.....changing the blade is another matter, of course.

 

[rixtrix1]

I just bought one of these bandsaws with the speed reducer from Craigslist/Phoenix for $30, about a half mile away from the hospital where I was visiting my son. It appears the speed reducer is missing the primary belt, chain, output shaft, sprocket and pulley. Anyone know where I can find some parts for these. Sears says unavailable. I wanted to get one to convert to metal use, but I guess I may have scored something here. If not, I have several extra motors from my sons' old wheelchairs that are geared down about 400/1 with variable speed that I may have to try to adapt. Thanks for all the info.

Ric

PS Just thought to check McMaster -Carr to see what they might have. I found a sprocket, belt, pulley and shafting that should work. Sears does still list the chain. I may be into this for well under $100 plus blade(s). Yay!

 

[gus1962]

Wow. That is really nice.Your saw is adequate enough of occasional metal cutting. Use blades like mine. I have 201 hardback carbon blades I used for cutting mild steels, it cuts smoothly. My bandsaw is the most frequently used machine in my shop.

 

[Letsgobowhunting]

I gotta get one of those.

 

[rixtrix1]

I need to find out the size/length of the belt from the motor sprocket to the primary reduction gear. The parts manual lists the secondary belt by length, but not the primary. Can anyone help, please? McMaster-Carr probably has it if I find out the size.

I did get the chain from Sears Parts today!

 

[rixtrix1]

I need to find out the size/length of the belt from the motor sprocket to the primary reduction gear. The parts manual lists the secondary belt by length, but not the primary. Can anyone help, please? McMaster-Carr probably has it if I find out the size.

I did get the chain from Sears Parts today!

Never mind, LOL. Finally got a magnifying glass to look at the parts breakdown, and can see it lists the size of the belt. going to McMaster-Carr right now to order the rest of the parts!

 

[rixtrix1]

Just ordered the parts to fix my Craftsman speed reducer and bandsaw. $50 from McMaster-Carr. All I need is to clean it up, install the parts when they arrive and get some metal cutting blades. The former owner included 4 woodcutting blades of varying pitches with the saw.

 

[Supermanry]

I finally managed to score a speed reducer for my Craftsman bandsaw. This reducer had been on the Bay for a very short time when I ran one of my daily searches and landed it with a buy it now for $45. The part number is 113.238961 and it is designed to provide a speed reduction down to 135fpm to cut metal.

It came nearly complete....missing only a rear mounting plate, pulley cover, and a wingnut assembly designed to tension the belt. The important parts were there, including belts in serviceable condition. Here's some pix:



I overcame the missing plate by making a different mounting setup. I used some angle bolted to the bandsaw frame and to the motor mounting plate to create a hinged platform. It's simple and effective - all I have to do to change the speeds is simply lift the weight of the motor/reducer assembly with the metal tab on the upper corner of the assembly.

It works very well. I don't think it's robust enough for day-in day-out use....but it's more than adequate for my metal-cutting needs. I'll probably set out to find another one of these saws (they go for about $75 around here), at which point I would dedicate one for wood and keep this one for metal after re-gearing the top speed for softer metals and keeping the 135fpm speed for harder metals.

I used this link to get some information about this, to include the manual scanned in by bluebolt: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122239&showall=1 Some folks were interested in the insides of this unit, so I took some measurements and photos for those inclined to make their own.......I'll have them up in a minute.

I just picked up this same bandsaw and am trying to figure out how to move the belt from the reducer side to the full speed side. If you have any recommendations on the best way to do this, that would be much appreciated. Mine looks identical to yours. I have attached some pics. Looking to move from the left lower pulley to the right and cannot find where to reduce the tension on the belt.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

I run mine on the slow speed with a metal cutting blade 95% of the time. I found that the weight of the speed reduction unit hinged on one end didn't provide enough grab on the belt to prevent slippage. I set up a turnbuckle on the tabbed corner to pull the reducer down a bit. If I need to loosen it or switch to the faster speed, the turnbuckle rotates easily by hand. It doesn't take much tension to get a good result. You could also set it up to push down from the frame instead of pulling it.

 

[Supermanry]

Thank you! This is very helpful. I am going to add a turnbuckle. I removed the speed reducer to get enough slack to switch the belt, but when I re-attached it is off-balance some. This should be a big help.

 

[OpenBeard]

I just picked up this same bandsaw and am trying to figure out how to move the belt from the reducer side to the full speed side. If you have any recommendations on the best way to do this, that would be much appreciated. Mine looks identical to yours. I have attached some pics. Looking to move from the left lower pulley to the right and cannot find where to reduce the tension on the belt.

Hey, this looks like the saw I now have. I doubt many people swapped in that 8” upper pulley. Do you live in Cincinnati?