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What can I do about an out of round bandsaw wheel?
You asked
A further question about my Delta BS 100 band saw. I have noticed that when I turn on the saw without a blade it runs smooth. When I spin the top wheel it always stops in the same spot. The wheel is not balanced. I took my Dremel and ground out a little but it didn't really help. The wheel itself appears to be slightly out of round. Would adding a weight to the opposite side help with vibration when the blade is on?
Asked by Les S.
Our expert answers
I think that adding a weight usually won’t fix it Les, and can even make things worse. If the top wheel is out of round, the problem isn’t balance, it’s runout. A weight can correct imbalance (like a tire that’s heavy on one side), but it can’t correct a wheel that isn’t perfectly circular. An out-of-round wheel causes the blade tension to rise and fall once per revolution, which shows up as vibration — especially under tension with the blade installed. I suggest you replace the wheel.
Published January 26, 2026 | Last revised January 26, 2026
