need help with a fleshing machine..

[ryanolson72]

I have a rawhide machine.  When I purchase new blades or get them reground and put them on my machine I get deep waves.  I have purchased brand new blades and also reground old blades and it happens with both.  I have a hell of a time getting the blade tuned so that it will not leave lines (grooves, highspot low spot).  My guess is that I have a bearing problem and the machine is vibrating.  Is there somethig else that I could be doing wrong?  I would think that a brand new blade out of the box should shave smooth as a babys bottom.

Thanks

[Doug Bridges]

Sounds like you have a bearing problem. Tear it down and put some new bearings in it. You are right, a new blade should be smooth.

[ryanolson72]

thanks doug.. were would a guy get a bearing at?

[Doug Bridges]

Need to pull all of the bearings out and then look at the numbers on the originals. If there are no numbers you may need to take it to a machine shop and have them measure and rebuild it for you. If you get numbers off the original bearings, then go to McMaster Carr website and cross them to some new bearings. You need to go with sealed bearings.

I know S&S in Dryden will rebuild them for you. If you are wanting someone to do that for you.

[bowentaxidermy]

I have had that happen to both of my machines.  I would make sure everything is aligned first before I started getting into bearings.  Just double check to make sure your blade is aligned and pully / motor. 

[ryanolson72]

I took the "hub" part of the machine off and got new bearings put in it.  Guy siad that they were a little rough, but a little rough may mean a lot on the finished product.  I was really suprised on how cheap it was to have done.  $8 per bearing and $10 to pull the old out and new in.  Time to reinstall..will report later!

[WBB793]

Most blades have a "ripple" when brand new ground. LIGHT PRESSURE with top steel should get it out, might need to do several times.  I guess in extreme case it could be bearings. I have been shaving for years and never had bearings go bad. I did replace a set once as I was cleaning  up my machine and repaint new belt etc.   I did not notice it making a difference with the blade cut..     Hope this helps??

[Spikemaster]

My machine was vibrating once and I tryed to reallign the belt and I couldn't get the vibration out. I took the belt off and there was some fat build up under the belt on the bottom pulley, cleaned it off and it ran smooth after that.

[call of the wild]

I have the same problem with my Rawhide machine. Ripples in cape, on brand new blade. I can't get it sharp. I think it might be the motor. It's not the right motor or hp for this machine. Does anyone know the right motor, hp, and rpm's for this fleshing machine . I had the guy who sells these tell me once, but I can't find where I wrote it down.
When I take the arbor off, and spin the blade while holding the shaft, it spins smooth. I don't think it's the bearings. Machine and table kinda wobble when running, and jumps when I turn it off.
Can anyone help me on this?

Jay

[ryanolson72]

Same type of problem here Jay.  I did get some help from the bearings though, they were ready to be replaced.  I also took the tip from wbb793 with light pressure on the top of the blade with the steels.  Worked like a charm.  Also took the advice from spike master and cleaned everything really well.

Next year I am going to build a more solid table so I don't get the movement of the table shaking.  Good luck and thanks for all the help!