Looking for my first band saw on the cheap and I found a 14" Reliant on sale for $50 but the seller says it needs a 1 HP motor. If I can find a used motor for around $50 then I'd go for it but I have no idea what size/type pulley the motor would need, and I'm guessing the seller doesn't either. I know the Reliant brand is akin to something like Harbor Freight so I know it's not worth much trouble, but the wallet is a bit slim at the moment.

I suppose I could find the right HP motor at the local electric repair shop but does anyone have advice on what size/type pulley I should look for to go with this saw?

PS. I know the general advice is gonna be to skip this one altogether and look for something better, but there's just no other way I'm gonna find this cutting height (which I need) at the ~$100 price range.
 

 

Go for it.  There is a riser kit on the saw to give that cutting height.  Riser kits are $200.00.  Get a step pulley for the motor and work out the size that is best for you and the saw.  Look for a motor with 1725 RPM.

I would search for an inline manual using the saw's model number (as in Reliant bandsaw XXXXX). You might luck out and find one. What would be useful (and may or may not be in the manual) is the motor frame size (NEMA), buying that size would ensure you have a bolt in replacement. Don't limit yourself to 1 HP. While I would not recommend a smaller one (it would work, but lack power on tough cuts) you could easily go larger up to 2 HP or so though that would be a 240V motor. My guess is that it was a 1725 RPM motor, but motor speed will determine what size sheave you need. $50 is a good buy on that, true they may be HF equivalents but they are still serviceable saws. If you have a HF nearby, go look at their saws and see what the motor info is on it. On the shaft size, I think the frame size has embedded in it the shaft size of the motor. Doesn't matter, you will buy a sheave to fit the shaft and have the proper diameter for the saw.

Edited January 28, 20215 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

Buy low, sell high!

I googled "band saw blade speed" and got 1000 feet per minute.  Measure the total length of the blade, convert to feet, divide into the 1000, and now you have revolutions in RPM.  If you use a 1750 RPM motor, you can calculate the size pulley you need by comparing 1750 to the blade wheel RPM, and using that ratio on the bandsaw existing pulley.  Or not, if I just screwed up!   Post the blade length and the existing pulley size and that will make it easier to check the math.

 

nope nope nope      Went for morning walk, worked out what I did wrong:  measure the driven blade wheel (usually the lower wheel, and it's the wheel the blade turns on, NOT the pulley).  Take the diameter of the lower wheel, multiply by 3.14 (aka "serve pi"), then divide by 12.  You now have the perimeter of the blade wheel in feet.  Divide that feet into 1000 FPM and you get RPM of the wheel.  The pully attached to the (usually) back of the lower wheel also has to turn at that same RPM.  Measure the diameter of that pulley (inches will do).  The next part depends on the motor speed you buy.  You compare needed RPM of the wheel to the motor, and then use that ratio to size the motor pulley.  Post numbers and it will be easier to show.

Edited January 28, 20215 yr by PeteM

I agree with Fred. You can’t have too much power on a bandsaw. If you plan on using it to resaw at that height you need more ponies. Look for a two horse motor at least. 
Paul

I note that a random pick of 14" BS model on Amazon shows 1 HP motor.  If you oversize too much, you may have problems getting it to fit.  Measure the old bolt holes to make sure the "new" motor feet fit.  

I'll learned enough about replacement parts now that I'll probably go ahead and buy the saw.  I've gotten advice to make sure the wheels turn freely and that the bearings sound ok. Any other advice on what to check out on the saw when I do the inspection?

Does the owner have the pulley that came off the old motor?  It would be easier to find a motor that fit the mounts and accept the pulley that came from the old one.  

You'll likely have to buy new tires for the saw, just something else to consider. Do you know the blade length for the saw ? That could provide a clue for pulley size compared to other brands.

It looks pretty much identical to my old Grizzly 14" saw.  Could be a source of parts should you need anything after you get it.

Edit - don't know what size motor is on my Griz, but it would have a tough time resawing anything that tall.  Go as big on the motor as you can if you are going to resaw that size.  My Griz without the riser has a tough time resawing hardwood.

Edited January 29, 20215 yr by Cal

From what I could find it's the same saw sold under the Central Machinery name sold at Harbor freight.

Here is a link to the Central Machinery manual at Harbor Freight. 

https://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/60000-60999/60564.pdf

Edited January 29, 20215 yr by Larry Buskirk

@Larry Buskirk, this looks like a very plausible solution.  I wonder if Andrew B would be willing to part with this lathe motor?  I wonder if it is the same motor.  Don't know so I'll shut up.  

Unfortunately someone else got to this 14" right before I committed.  I ended up with a decent 12" Craftsman instead.  Sturdy factory base with some kind of original built-in digital readout although I'm not sure if it works.  Saw runs fairly well with 6" cut height, 2 speeds, 1.25 hp, and a huge table that tilts 45 deg..  Any suggestion for good performing but economical belts or tires?  I'm finding sets of tires on Amazon for around $18 but I'm wondering if that's too cheap to be any good.

For the belt, there should be some markings on the one you have (if you have one) that indicate what belt you need. Use them to buy a replacement, I usually try to buy Gates belts. For the tires I'd get the polyurethane ones. They are a royal PITA to install, but really hold up well.

If its too good to be true I wouldn't bother....  Especially if theres no image with it.

Thanks for the info.  I haven't been able to get into the saw yet but I'll do that soon as I can. 

 

I should've been more descriptive above.  It's the digital readout that I'm not sure works or not.  Saw runs ok.