B56 vs B57 and High pitch squeal

jpm717 · February 26, 2018, 11:54:07 AM

I have 19" wheels on my sawmill and have 2 questions.

1) The pro's and cons of using B57 vs B56 belts

2) I have B56 belts on my saw now and when I run my mill it seems to be riding on the metal wheel I get a high pitch squeal metal on metal... ( Checked all the bearings and they are all good ) Will I do damage to the wheels? (I read some sawyers us metal wheels )

starmac · February 26, 2018, 12:16:06 PM

I may be looking at this wrong, but I don't think the b 57 will ride any higher than the b56, in other words, if it is rubbing metal with one, it will with the other too. It could be a difference in the brand of the belt possibly.

ladylake · February 26, 2018, 05:05:15 PM

The trouble with v belts now is they cheapened them up making them a little shorter than they used too , Goodyears used to be good but they shortened them up also. The cure is to machine or grind some off the out side of the wheel, you can take them to machine shop and get that done or use a angle grinder as I did years ago. If using a angle grinder on the drive side run the engine at idle gear to keep the grind nice and even. On the idle side hold the grinder at a angle to the wheel and that will get it spinning for a even grind . I put a bevel on the wheels so the blade doesn't hit the outside edge as soon. When your blade starts to hit the metal on the wheel they break fast. Steve

PC-Urban-Sawyer · February 26, 2018, 11:47:01 PM

Why not try buying belts from WM? They have theirs custom made to specs for use on bandmills...

Herb

Chuck White · February 27, 2018, 06:40:14 AM

X2 on the Wood-Mizer belts! ;)

slider · February 27, 2018, 07:14:49 AM

And they are priced about the same as at the parts store.

Southside · February 27, 2018, 09:52:11 AM

The WM / Industrial belts are a completely different breed than parts store belts. I learned that lesson. The other thing I can see is that the B56 will be a lot tighter on your wheel, the B57 does bow off on the opposite side the band rides on which allows chips and such to fall out.

jpm717 · February 27, 2018, 05:39:19 PM

Thank You Everyone for all your thoughts, learning something new each day. I will order the belts from WM and if I still have the squeal I will get them cleaned up a go from there. Thanks again

ladylake · February 28, 2018, 06:27:35 AM

B56 belts don't allow chips under the belt at all, grinding my wheels off I can run any B56 belt and get some real deals on Ebay and amazon. Steve

pineywoods · February 28, 2018, 11:26:46 AM

Never heard of squeal from the bandwheel belts. Most likely the main drive belt slipping. Parts store belts will quickly squish down enough to let the blade touch the metal. I always buy my belts from woodmizer, about the same price and last MUCH longer. B56 vs B57, every time I have seen buildup under my B57, it was because the sawdust exit was clogged..

Darrel · February 28, 2018, 12:35:10 PM

When I bought my used mill it had B56 belts on it that were packed underneath with sawdust to the point of forcing the wheel out of round. Put B57's from WM on it and they are like the energizer bunny, they just keep going and going. No sawdust build up that I've ever noticed.

jpm717 · February 28, 2018, 02:13:56 PM

The squeal is from the band running on the metal edges of the wheels. So if I use the WM B57 do you think it will ride higher on the band wheel so it does not touch the metal wheel?

Magicman · February 28, 2018, 03:06:27 PM

That question may be impossible to answer without knowing more about your sawmill and the bandwheels. ?? Adding your sawmill to your profile helps when answering questions.

Wood-Mizer B57 belts do not allow the blade to touch the bandwheels on my sawmill. Not even close. I have never actually measured the distance but it is probably close to 1/8th inch.

starmac · February 28, 2018, 03:11:13 PM

Quote from: jpm717 on February 28, 2018, 02:13:56 PM
The squeal is from the band running on the metal edges of the wheels. So if I use the WM B57 do you think it will ride higher on the band wheel so it does not touch the metal wheel?

The same brand will ride the same height, at least within the manufacturers tolerances. The belts should be the same except for the length. Supposedly the belts from woodmizer are specialty built for this express reason.

jpm717 · February 28, 2018, 05:36:38 PM

Thanks.... sawmill is a MSG Mini Mill. I will add a few pictures and to my info in my profile as soon as I can figure it out.

Jerry

LeeB · March 01, 2018, 12:59:18 AM

How old are the belts? They are a wear item and have to be replaced periodically. If the blade is touching the wheel the belt needs changing.

ladylake · March 01, 2018, 05:41:52 AM

Quote from: Darrel on February 28, 2018, 12:35:10 PM
When I bought my used mill it had B56 belts on it that were packed underneath with sawdust to the point of forcing the wheel out of round. Put B57's from WM on it and they are like the energizer bunny, they just keep going and going. No sawdust build up that I've ever noticed.

With well over 13000 hours on my mill I have never had any sawdust under a B56 belt. Steve

Chuck White · March 01, 2018, 07:12:37 AM

Quote from: jpm717 on February 28, 2018, 02:13:56 PM
The squeal is from the band running on the metal edges of the wheels.

I don't really think so!
If your bands are riding on the edges of the band wheels, that would only last a couple of minutes or so and the band would break!
It's been my experience anyway!

Sawmill Man · March 01, 2018, 08:29:50 AM

Check to see if the back of your blade is touching the guides. You should be able to turn by hand and hear the noise if it is touching too hard.

Rougespear · March 01, 2018, 11:19:41 AM

Maybe a bearing on its very last legs going out and producing the sound?

Darrel · March 01, 2018, 05:56:41 PM

Quote from: ladylake on March 01, 2018, 05:41:52 AM
Quote from: Darrel on February 28, 2018, 12:35:10 PM
When I bought my used mill it had B56 belts on it that were packed underneath with sawdust to the point of forcing the wheel out of round. Put B57's from WM on it and they are like the energizer bunny, they just keep going and going. No sawdust build up that I've ever noticed.
With well over 13000 hours on my mill I have never had any sawdust under a B56 belt. Steve

Steve, I have never run B56 belts, my mill had them when I bought it and sawdust was packed under them very unevenly, the drive side worse than the idle side. I have no idea what may have caused this. The belts were worn and in need of replacing so I called Wood-Mizer and ordered new belts. I didn't even know about B56 vs B57. I was surprised when the new belts fit loosely. Who knows, I may have been able to run the B56's with no problem had I put them on. I do know that I'm running the B57's with no problem.

petefrom bearswamp · March 02, 2018, 10:07:16 AM

No b56 for me tried em but too hard to install IMHO.
57's do get some buildup under them occasionally but no other probs with them.
Tried them all, WM, auto parts store, bought on line Goodyears, Timber wolfs neoprene.
Back to good old WM.
Price is very competitive.

Tin Horse · March 02, 2018, 03:00:09 PM

You may be able to try the urethane belts from Timberwolf. I ran them on my previous mill and they worked well. Easy to put on and fit tight. Not sure if anyone else has tried them? I couldn't get them for my Enercraft but it's similar to Woodmizer.
But they're C-74 belts. About an inch wide on top. They are loose but I never see build up on the wheels. They also run about an 1/8" above the rims. And lasting well.

petefrom bearswamp · March 03, 2018, 09:07:26 AM

The Timberwolf I tried was about 10 or 12 years ago.
Didnt go into the groove all the way and vibrated so badly the blade broke.
Called Twolf and they sent me another pair.
They hang on a nail in my pole barn