Jet VBS-1408, VBS-1610 Operator's Manual

.JET

EQUIPMENT & TOOLS

OPERATOR'SMANUAL

VBS-1408/1610 Metalworking Bandsaw

(VBS-1610 shown)

P.O.BDX1349

AUBURN,WA98071-1349

.JETEQUIPMENT a TOOLS.INC.

A WMH -Walter Meier Holding Company

[20BJ351-8a:D
FAX[phone]

No. M-414485 2/97

Important Information

1YEAR

LIMITED WARRANTY

JET offers a one year limited
warranty on this product

REPLACEMENT PARTS

Replacementpartsfor thistool are availabledirectlyform JET Equipment& Tools.
To place an order, call 1-800-274-6848. Pleasehavethe following informationready:

1. Visa, MasterCard,or DiscoverCard number

2. Expirationdate

3. Part number listed within this manual

4. Shippingaddress other than a PostOffice box.
REPLACEMENT PART WARRANTY

JET Equipment & Tools makes every effortto assurethat parts meet highquality and durability standards
and warrants to the original retail consumer/purchaserof our partsthat each such part(s) to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of thirty (30)days from the date of purchase.

PROOF OF PURCHASE

Please retain your dated sales receiptas proof of purchaseto validatethe warranty period.

LIMITED TOOL AND EQUIPMENT WARRANTY

JET makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards and warrants to the
original retail consumer/purchaser of our products that each product be free from defects in materials and
workmanship as follows: 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON THIS JET PRODUCT. Warranty does not apply to
defects due directly or indirectly to misuse, abuse, negligence or accidents, repairs or alterations outside our

facilities or to a lack of maintenance. JET LIMITS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES TO THE PERIOD SPECIFIED
ABOVE FROM THE DATETHE PRODUCTWAS PURCHASEDAT RETAIL. EXCEPTAS STATED HEREIN, ANY

IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR MECHANTABILITY AND FITNESS ARE EXCLUDED. SOME STATES DO NOT
ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG THE IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY

NOT APPLY TO YOU. JET SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR DEATH, INJURIES TO PERSONS OR
PROPERY OR FOR INCIDENTAL, CONTINGENT,SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM
THE USE OF OUR PRODUCTS. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF
INCIDENTALOR CONSEQUENTIALDAMAGES, SOTHE ABOVE LIMITATIONOR EXCLUSION MAY NOTAPPLY
TO YOU. To take advantage of this warranty, the product or part must be returned for examination, postage
prepaid, to an authorized service station designated by our Auburn office. Proof of purchase date and an
explanation of the complaint mustaccompany the merchandise. Ifour inspection discloses a defect, JET will either
repair or replace the product or refund the purchase price, if we cannot readily and quickly provide a repair or
replacement, if you are willing to accept such refund. JET will return repaired product or replacement at JET's
expense, but if it is determined there is no defect, or that the defect resulted from causes not within the scope of
JET's warranty, then the user must bear the cost of storing and returning the product. This warranty gives you
specific legal rights, and you have other rightswhich vary from stateto state.

JET Equipment &Tools. P.O.Box 1349,Auburn, WA98071-1349. [phone]

&, WARNING

.

Read and understand the entire

.

Replacewarning labels if they become

instruction manual before operating

obscuredor removed.

machine.

.

Make certain the motor switch is in the OFF

.

This manual is intendedto familiarize

positionbeforeconnecting the machineto

you with the technical aspects of this the powersupply.
bandsaw. It is not, norwas it intended
to be, a training manual.

.

Giveyourworkundividedaftention.
Lookingaround,carryingona

.

This machine is designed and intended

conversation,and"horse-play" are careless

for use by properly trained and

acts that can result inserious injury.

experienced personnelonly. If you are
not familiar with the proper safe use of a

.

Keepvisitors a safe distance from the work

bandsaw, do not use this machine until

area.

proper training and knowledge has been
obtained.

.

Use recommendedaccessories; improper
accessories may be hazardous.

.

Always wear approved safety glasses/face

shields while usingthis machine.

.

Makea habitof checking to see that keys

andadjustingwrenchesareremoved

.

Make certain the machine is properly

beforeturningon the machine.

grounded.

.

Never attemptany operation or adjustment

.

Before operating the machine,removetie, if the procedure is not understood.
rings,watches, otherjewelry, and roll up

sleeves above the elbows. Removeall

.

Keepfingers away from the bladewhile in
loose clothing and confinelong hair. Do operation.
not wear gloves.

.

Keepbelt guard in place and in working

.

Keepthe floor around the machineclean

order.

and free of scrap material, oil and grease.

.

Never force the cutting action.

.

Keep machine guards in place at all times

whenthemachineisinuse. If removedfor

.

Do notattempt to adjust or remove tools

maintenance purposes,use extreme during operation.

caution and replacethe guards

immediately.

.

Always keep the blade sharp.

.

Do not over reach. Maintaina balanced

.

Always use identicalreplacement parts

stance at all times so thatyou do not fall or

when servicing.

lean against bladesor other movingparts.

.

Readand understandall warnings posted

.

Make all machine adjustmentsor

on the machine.

maintenancewith the machine unplugged
from the power source.

.

Failureto comply with all of these warnings
may cause serious injury.

.

Use the righttool. Don'tforce a toolor
attachment to do a job which it was not
designed for.

Specifications:

VBS-1408

Stock Number .414483
Blade Speed (SFPM) 82-330

Maximum Capacity:

Height 8"

Throat 14"
Table Size 20" x 20"
Table Tilt:

Front and Back ... ... ......... ....,.... ...8°

Left 12°

Right 15°
Welder Capacity 1/2"
Blade Length(approx.) 114"

BladeWidth (max.) ... ...... ...... ... .................. ... 1/2"

Overall Height .68-1/2"
Table Height at 90° 39"
Floor Space Required 34" x 24"

Motor 1HP, 1Ph

115/230V,prewired 115V

NetWeight (approx.) 580 Ibs.
ShippingWeight (approx.) 685 Ibs.

Specifications:

VBS-1610

Stock Number .414485
Blade Speed (SFPM). .82-330(low)

...... ... ...... ...... ...... ......... 985-3950 (high)

Maximum Capacity:

Height 10"

Throat ...15-1/2''''
Table Size 22" x 24"
Table Tilt:

Front and Back.. ... ... ...... ... ...... ...... 8°

Left ... ......... ... ...... ...... ...... ... , 12°

Right 15°
Welder Capacity 5/8"

Blade Length (approx.) ..." .." , 123-1/2"

BladeWidth (max.) ... ...... ...... ...... .................. ..,.. 5/8"

Overall Height .72-1/2"
Table Height at 90° 40"

Floor Space Required 37" x 28"

Motor 2HP, 3Ph

230/460V, prewired 230V

NetWeight (approx.) 900 Ibs.

ShippingWeight (approx.) 1015 Ibs.
The specifications in this manualare given as general informationand are not binding. JET Equipment

and Tools reservesthe right to effect,at anytime and without prior notice,changes or alterationsto parts,

fittings, and accessory equipmentdeemed necessaryfor any reasonwhatsoever.

Uncrating and Clean-Up

1. Finishuncrating the bandsaw. Contactyour
distributor if any damage hasoccurred during
shipping.

2. Remove any preservativewith keroseneor
diesel oil. Donot use gasoline, paint thinner, or
any cellulose-based product. Thesewill damage
painted surfaces.

3. Removetwo hex cap screws from leftside ofthe
vertical column. Attach shear assembly (A, Fig.

1) to column by inserting hex cap screws.

Installation

1. Removethree nuts and washers holdingthe
bandsaw to the shippingcrate bottom.

2. Using the lifting ring, liftthe bandsaw into it's
permanent location. For best performance,the

bandsaw should be boltedto thefloor aftera
level position has beenfound.

3. Using a square, adjust the table 90 degreesto

the blade bothfront to backand side to side.
Loosen the hex cap screws below the tableto

move it and tighten to hold the table inplace. If
necessary, adju'stthe pointersto zero should
they read differentonce the table is
perpendicular to the blade in bothdirections.

4. To level the machine, place a machinist'slevel
on the table and observe in both directions.

5. Use metal shims under the appropriatehold
down screw. Tighten screw and recheck for

level.

6. Adjust with additional shims,as required,until
the table is level when all mountingscrews (or
nuts) aretight.

A

Figure 1

Electrical Connections

The VBS-1408 bandsaw is ratedat 115/230Vand
comes from the factory prewired 115V.

The VBS-1610 bandsaw is ratedat 230/460Vand
comes from the factory prewired230V.

To switch to from 115Vto 230V (or230Vto 460V)
operation,follow the wiringdiagramfoundon the
inside cover of the motorjunction box.

The bandsaw must be grounded. A qualified
electrician can make the proper electrical
connections and confirm the power on site is
compatible with the saw.

Before hooking upto the power source, makesure
the switch is in the off position.

Controls

t

~

.

B

!
~

. "-C

~/J

Note: Pictures usedfor illustrationsshowthe VBS-

1610. The descriptions and functions are thesame

for the VBS-1408, exceptwhere noted.
Variable Speed Hand Wheel (A, Fig. 2) - located

belowwork table on rightside of machinebase.
Turn clockwise to increase speed and counter-
clockwise to decrease speed. Caution: Do not turn
handlewhile machineis stopped. Adjustspeed only
when machine is running.

Upper BladeGuide LockKnob (B, Fig.2) - located
on right side of upperarm. Turn counter-clockwise
to loosen and clockwiseto tighten.

A

Work Lamp Switch (C, Fig. 2) - on top of lamp
shade; turns lamp on and off.

Main Motor Start Switch (0, Fig. 2) - located on
upper front column. Depress to start bandsaw.

Main Motor Stop Switch (E, Fig. 2) - located on
upper front column. Depress to stop bandsaw.

Figure 2

-- -- -

_u n- - _n_nn-

Gear Shift Lever (A, Fig. 3 - VBS-1610 only)-

located on the rightside of the base underthe table.
Move the lever towardthe front of the machineto

engage the low rangesetting. Movethe lever toward
the rear to engage the high rangesetting. Change
gears onlywhen the power is off. Turn variable
speed handwheelwhile changingspeed rangesto
help the gears engage.

Grinder Toggle Switch (B, Fig.3) - locatedon
bladewelder panelfound on columnfront. Flip
switch up to start grinder; flip down to stop grinder.

Weld Button (C, Fig. 3) - locatedon bladewelder

panelfound oncolumn front. Depressand holdto
start welding. Shutsoff automaticallywhen weld is
done. Releasewhen weld is completed.

Anneal Button (D, Fig. 3) - located on blade welder

panel found on column front. Depress and hold to
anneal blade, release to stop.

Blade Clamp Pressure Knob (E, Fig. 3) - located

on bladewelder panelfound oncolumnfront. Turn
counter-clockwise to bring blade clamps closer
together and clockwise to separate.

Blade Clamps (F, Fig. 3)- locatedon bladewelder
panelfound oncolumn front. DOWNpositionallows
insertionof blade into clamp. UP positionlocks

blade.

Blade Tension Handwheel (G, Fig.3) - locatedon

underside of upper frame. Turn clockwiseto tension
blade;counter-clockwise to releasetension on blade.

Shear Lever (H, Fig. 3) - locatedon uppercolumn.
UP positionallows insertion of blade end intoshear.

Pull lever DOWN to cut blade.

Blade Tension Indicator (I, Fig. 3- VBS-1610 only)

-located under the idlerwheel housingwith the
calibration scale visablefrom the rear of the

machine. Indicates bladetension relativeto the
width of the blade being used.

Table Tilt Mechanism - located under work table.

To tilt table left or right, loosen two hex cap screws
(A, Figure 4) at rear of mechanism. To level table
front to back, loosen four hex cap screws (A, Fig. 5)

on either side of mechanism.

-

H

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Adjustments

WARNING

Blade Tensioning

1. Raise upper bladeguide by looseninglock knob
(A, Fig.6) and liftingblade guide handle (B, Fig.

6) to it's highestposition.

2. Apply finger pressure to the blade. Travel from
vertical should be approximately3/8" each way.

3. To tighten blade, turn handwheel (C, Fig. 6)
clockwise.

4. To loosen blade,turn handwheelcounter-

clockwise.

5. Use the bladetension indicator(0, Fig.6- VBS-

1610 only) as reference only. Bladeshould be
tensioned usingthe finger pressuremethod.

Blade Tracking Alignment (VBS-1408)

Bladetracking has been adjusted at the factory. Run

the bandsawand observe the bladeon thewheels.
The blade should run next to butnotagainstthe

flange at the rear. Ifadjustment is necessary:

1. Slightly loosen all four hexcap screws (A, Fig. 7)
found at the rear ofthe machineat the top.

2. Tighten two top set screws (8, Fig.7) slightlyto
shift blade toward the front. Conversely,tighten
two set screws (C, Fig. 7) to shift bladetoward
the rear. Onceblade is tracking properly,slightly
tighten other two set screws andthentighten all
four hex cap screws.

Blade Tracking Alignment (VBS-1610)

1. Open the idler wheeldoor and observethe
positionof the blade on the wheel.

2. Turn the Idlerwheel adjustment knob (A, Fig. 8)
clockwise or counter-clockwise untilthe blade

runs next to, but not against,thewheelflange.

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

.....................

A

B

!'

~O

"

.

A

-.

10

..L.

u

J

n-- _n--- n n __n_n-_n-----

Blade Guide Adjustment

Blade guide adjustment has been set at the factory.
Should adjustment be necessary:

1. Loosenthe upper blade guide lockknob, raise
the guide assembly to half way betweentable
and head,then tighten lock knob.

2. Loosentwo set screws (A, Fig.9)and adjust
guide so that blade guides are in backof the saw
teeth. Bladeguides must be adjustedfar
enough backto clearsaw bladeevenduringthe
cutting operationwhen the blade isdeflected

toward the rear.

3. Tighten two set screws (A, Fig.9).

4. Open the upper access door and rotatethe

bladewheel by hand untilthe weld portionofthe

blade is between the twofingers.

5. Loosen two hexcap screws (B, Fig.9)and
adjust each finger towardthe blade. They
should not touch the blade. Adjustfor .010"

clearance oneither side.

6. Tighten two hexcap screws (B, Fig.9) once
proper adjustment has been made. Besure that
adjustmentfor air nozzle has not changedand it

directs the flow of airto the cut.

7. Adjust lower blade guide in the same manner.
See Fig. 10.

8. Even properly adjusted blade guides will show
wear after continual use. Re-adjustas

necessary.

Figure 9

Figure 10

Top Guide Adjustment

Always positionthe top guide to within an 1/8"of the
top surface of the workpiece. This minimizes
exposure of the operator'shands to the saw blade.

Changing Saw Blades

1. Disconnectsaw from the powersource.

2. Move the upper bladeguide to its highest
position and lock in place.

3. Open bothwheel doors. Turn the tension
adjustment knob counter-clockwiseto loosen

tension onthe blade.

4. Removethe blade from bothwheels and
maneuver it aroundthe blade guard on the

column and protectiveshield on the upper blade
guide.

5. Install new blade by maneuveringaround blade
guard on the column and protective shieldon the
upper bladeguide.

6. Place it between the fingers of bothbladeguides
and onto both wheels. Positionnextto both

wheel flanges. Make sure teeth pointdown
toward the table.

7. Retention the saw blade byturningtensionhand

wheel. Rotatethe wheel by handand makesure
the blade is properly seated in the bladeguides.
Blade guideswill have to be adjusted if the
replacement blade is a different type and width.

8. Turn on the saw and check bladetracking.
Adjust tracking if necessary.

Blade Selection

Proper blade selection is just as important to band
saw operation as is blade speed and material feed.
Proper blade selection will impact blade life,
straightness of cut, cut finish, and efficiency of

operation. Excess blade breakage, stripping of
teeth, and waviness of cut are some of the results of

improper blade selection.

Blades are classified by material composition, tooth
shape, pitch of teeth, and type of set, gage of the
band material, and kerf of the set (width of cut).