I just picked up a Rockwell 28-300 bandsaw. It was advertised as a wood bandsaw, but when I got it home, it turned out to have the metal cutting transmission. I got it for $300, hope I didn't pay too much. The reason I say this is because it won't shift into the lower gear. The shift knob is pretty sticky, but I can get it to slide out of high gear, however it won't go into low gear. Are there any tricks to this? Or do I need to disassemble the gearbox and see what I have? Other than that, it's in excellent shape, not a lot of use on it. Thanks for any feedback!
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Rockwell 28-300 bandsaw
- Thread starter vinbert
- Start date
whateg01
Well-known member
I don't have any experience with that particular machine, but I generally find that if something isn't operating smoothly when I buy it, it's a good idea to take it apart and figure out why. It generally results in a much more pleasant experience
WhoWhatNow
Well-known member
I don’t think there is actually a second gear. You engage or disengage the slow speed gearbox. For wood cutting you disengage the gearbox and run a belt directly from the motor to the second larger pulley above the gearbox pulley.
Go to vintagemachinery.org and look under publication reprints to find the manual for your machine.
Go to vintagemachinery.org and look under publication reprints to find the manual for your machine.
Last edited:
WisJim
Well-known member
Check the lube in the gear box, it may need to be drained and flushed and refilled. Look at the proper manual for it--there have been different versions of the slow speed gear box with different details. There has been discussion of disassembly of the gearing either here or at vintagemachinery.org that would be worth checking out. It can takes some effort to engage/disengage the gearing, but don't force it and break something.
Pictures??
Pictures??
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I have that saw. This poster is correctI don’t think there is actually a second gear. You engage or disengage the slow speed gearbox. For wood cutting you disengage the gearbox and run a belt directly from the motor to the second larger pulley above the gearbox pulley.
Go to vintagemachinery.org and look under publication reprints to find the manual for your machine.
There's a trick to it. Push in on the knob and at the same time slowly rotate the lower wheel by hand. At some point it will slip into gear.
Forcing the knob or pounding on it has ruined many of these transmissions. There's one or two small roll pins inside that will fold over if abused.
Don't take it apart, unless you like cans of worms.
Assuming it's not broken.
Forcing the knob or pounding on it has ruined many of these transmissions. There's one or two small roll pins inside that will fold over if abused.
Don't take it apart, unless you like cans of worms.
Assuming it's not broken.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I set my saw for low speed many years ago and I have never changed the speed. This has been okay.