Jet VBS-1408 User 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
Replacement partsfor this tool are availabledirectlyform JET Equipment& Tools.
To placean order, call 1-800-274-6848. Pleasehavethe followinginformationready:
1. Visa, MasterCard,or DiscoverCard number
2. Expirationdate
3. Part number listedwithin this manual
4. Shippingaddress other than a Post Office box.
REPLACEMENT PART WARRANTY
JET Equipment & Tools makesevery effort to assure that parts meet high quality and durability standards
and warrants to the original retail consumer/purchaserof our parts that each such part(s) to be free from
defects in materials and workmanshipfor a periodof thirty (30) days from the date of purchase.
PROOF OF PURCHASE
Please retainyour dated sales receiptas proofof 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 FROMTHE DATE THE PRODUCTWAS PURCHASEDAT RETAIL. EXCEPT AS 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 must accompany the merchandise. If our 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 varyfrom 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 intended to familiarize positionbeforeconnectingthe machineto
you with the technical aspects of this the power supply.
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 in serious injury.
experienced personnel only. 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 using this 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 confine long hair. Do operation.
not wear gloves. .Keep beltguard 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 machineguards in place at all times
whenthemachineisinuse. Ifremovedfor .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 moving parts. .Readand understandall warnings posted
.Make all machine adjustmentsor on the machine.
maintenancewith the machine unplugged
from the power source. .Failureto complywith all of these warnings
may cause serious injury.
.Use the right tool. Don't force a tool or
attachment to do ajob 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 Heightat 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, prewired230V
NetWeight (approx.) 900 Ibs.
ShippingWeight (approx.) 1015 Ibs.
The specifications in this manual are given as general informationand are not binding. JET Equipment
and Tools reserves the right to effect,at any timeandwithout prior notice,changes or alterations to parts,
fittings, and accessory equipmentdeemed necessaryfor any reasonwhatsoever.

Uncrating and Clean-Up
1. Finish uncratingthe bandsaw. Contactyour
distributor if any damage has occurred during
shipping.
2. Remove any preservative with keroseneor
diesel oil. Do not use gasoline, paint thinner, or
any cellulose-based product. These will damage
painted surfaces.
3. Removetwo hex cap screws from left side of the
vertical column. Attach shear assembly(A, Fig.
1) to column by inserting hex cap screws.
Installation
1. Remove three nuts and washers holdingthe
bandsaw to the shipping crate bottom.
2. Usingthe lifting ring, liftthe bandsaw into it's
permanent location. For best performance,the
bandsaw should be boltedto the floor aftera
level position has beenfound.
3. Using a square, adjust the table 90 degrees to
the blade both front to back and side to side.
Loosen the hex cap screws belowthe tableto
move it and tighten to hold the table in place. If
necessary, adju'stthe pointers to zero should
they read different once the table is
perpendicular to the blade in both directions.
4. To level the machine, place a machinist'slevel
on the table and observe in both directions.
5. Use metal shims under the appropriate hold
down screw. Tighten screw and recheckfor
level.
6. Adjust with additional shims, as required,until
the table is level when all mountingscrews (or
nuts) are tight.
A
Figure 1

Electrical Connections
The VBS-1408 bandsawis ratedat 115/230Vand
comes from the factory prewired 115V.
The VBS-1610 bandsawis ratedat 230/460Vand
comes from the factory prewired230V.
To switch to from 115Vto 230V (or230Vto 460V)
operation, follow the wiring diagram foundon 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 up to 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 functionsare the same
for the VBS-1408, exceptwhere noted.
Variable Speed HandWheel (A, Fig. 2) - located
belowwork table on rightside of machine base.
Turn clockwise to increase speedand counter-
clockwise to decrease speed. Caution: Do not turn
handlewhile machine is stopped. Adjustspeedonly
when machine is running.
Upper Blade Guide Lock Knob (B, Fig.2) - located
on right side of upper arm. 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 right side of the base underthe table.
Move the lever towardthe front of the machineto
engage the low range setting. Movethe lever toward
the rear to engage the high range setting. Change
gears only when 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 on column front. Depressand holdto
start welding. Shuts off 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 on columnfront. Turn
counter-clockwise to bring blade clampscloser
together and clockwise to separate.
Blade Clamps (F, Fig. 3) - locatedon bladewelder
panelfound on column front. DOWN positionallows
insertion of 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 position allows insertion of blade end into shear.
Pull lever DOWNto cut blade.
Blade Tension Indicator (I, Fig. 3- VBS-1610only)
-located under the idlerwheel housingwith the
calibration scale visable from the rearof the
machine. Indicates blade tension 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 blade guide by looseninglock knob
(A, Fig. 6) and lifting blade guide handle (B, Fig.
6) to it's highest position.
2. Apply finger pressureto the blade. Travelfrom
vertical should be approximately3/8" eachway.
3. To tighten blade, turn handwheel (C, Fig. 6)
clockwise.
4. To loosen blade, turn handwheelcounter-
clockwise.
5. Use the blade tension 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 but not againstthe
flange at the rear. If adjustment is necessary:
1. Slightly loosen all four hex cap screws (A, Fig. 7)
found at the rear of the machine at 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 blade toward
the rear. Once blade istracking properly,slightly
tighten other two set screws and then tighten all
four hex cap screws.
Blade Tracking Alignment (VBS-1610)
1. Open the idler wheel door and observe the
positionof the bladeon the wheel.
2. Turn the Idler wheel adjustment knob(A, Fig. 8)
clockwise or counter-clockwise untilthe blade
runs next to, but not against, thewheel flange.
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 bladeguide lockknob, raise
the guide assemblyto halfway betweentable
and head,then tighten lock knob.
2. Loosentwo set screws (A, Fig. 9) and adjust
guide so that blade guides are in back of the saw
teeth. Blade guides must be adjustedfar
enough backto clear saw bladeevenduring the
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 portionof the
blade is between the two fingers.
5. Loosen two hex cap screws (B, Fig. 9) and
adjust each finger toward the blade. They
should nottouch the blade. Adjustfor .010"
clearance on either side.
6. Tighten two hex cap screws (B, Fig. 9) once
proper adjustment has been made. Besure that
adjustment for air nozzle has not changedand it
directs the flow of air to the cut.
7. Adjust lower blade guide inthe same manner.
See Fig. 10.
8. Even properly adjusted bladeguideswill show
wear after continual use. Re-adjustas
necessary.
Figure 9
Figure 10

Top Guide Adjustment
Always position the top guide to within an 1/8"of the
top surface of the workpiece. This minimizes
exposure of the operator's handsto the saw blade.
Changing Saw Blades
1. Disconnect saw from the power source.
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 on the blade.
4. Removethe bladefrom bothwheels and
maneuver it around the blade guardon the
column and protectiveshield on the upperblade
guide.
5. Install new blade by maneuveringaround blade
guard on the column and protectiveshieldon the
upper bladeguide.
6. Place it between the fingers of both blade guides
and onto bothwheels. Positionnextto both
wheel flanges. Make sure teeth pointdown
toward the table.
7. Retentionthe saw blade byturningtensionhand
wheel. Rotatethe wheel by handand makesure
the blade is properly seated inthe bladeguides.
Blade guideswill haveto be adjusted if the
replacement blade is a differenttype 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).