How to Reset the Upper Flywheel – Ambassador C14 & Alpha HW615 Bandsaws

If you're experiencing issues with the upper flywheel on your Harvey Ambassador C14 or Alpha HW615 bandsaw—such as the wheel rubbing against the chassis, refusing to tilt, won't track blade correctly, or binds during tensioning—this guide will walk you through how to reset it to its default working position.

These steps apply to both the Ambassador C14 and Alpha HW615 bandsaws, as they share a similar upper wheel and tilt system.

⚠️ Symptoms You Might See

• Upper wheel doesn’t spin freely

• Loud grinding or rubbing sounds

• You’re unable to tension or track the blade properly

• The wheel appears misaligned or tilted inward toward the frame

Tools Needed

• Allen/hex wrench (for removing blade guard, etc)

• Wrenches (for pivot bolts, if needed)

⚠️ Important Safety Warning

Always unplug the machine from power before performing any service or adjustment.
Do not attempt this procedure while the bandsaw is plugged in or powered on. The upper wheel, blade, and tracking components can move unexpectedly, posing a serious risk of injury.
Wear gloves when handling the blade, and ensure the machine has come to a complete stop before touching any internal components.

Reset Procedure

1. Remove the Blade

Start by taking off the blade entirely. Also, remove the upper blade guard to give full access to the wheel area.

2. Loosen the Tracking Knob

Back out the tracking knob completely:

• Loosen the jam nut (the aluminum disc/ring).

• Back out/Unscrew the tracking knob until it’s fully disengaged—or remove it entirely if needed.

This relieves tracking pressure and prepares the flywheel to be manually repositioned.

3. Reset the Tilt Position
If the flywheel is tilted and rubbing the chassis, reset its angle:

• If the bottom half of the wheel is tilted inward, pull it outward until it re-centers.

• If the top half is tilted inward, push the bottom inward to restore alignment.

This assembly pivots on a central axis—if stuck, continue to step 4.

4. Loosen the Pivot Bolts (If Stuck)

Look for the two nylon lock nuts that secure the flywheel's pivot block to the frame (on both sides of the upper assembly). Loosen them just very slightly—this will relieve pressure and allow the flywheel block to shift or pivot freely.

Important: Don’t over-loosen these nuts. Doing so can introduce play (slop) in the flywheel alignment and affect long-term performance.

5. Confirm Free Movement

If the wheel was binding, once reset, the wheel should be able to rotate freely. The wheel can also move up and down freely on its vertical guide rods (without a blade installed). Gently lift/rotate the wheel by hand to check its range and confirm that the wheel is no longer contacting the chassis frame. 

Be cautious with the tensioning indicator (needle): going too high or too low can cause the tensioning needle to fall off the tensioner block assembly inside the upper housing. If that happens, you’ll need to:

• Raise the wheel fully

• Manually hook the needle back onto the tension plate inside the block

• Lower the wheel carefully to re-engage the mechanism

Ask us for the "Tensioning Needle Reset" video if needed.

6. Reattach the Blade

Re-install the blade, then re-tension it.

7. Reinstall and Adjust Tracking

With the blade installed and tensioned:

• Reinstall the tracking knob

• Make small, gradual adjustments while manually spinning the upper wheel by hand

• Watch how the blade responds on the flywheel and adjust as needed until the blade centers properly

Additional Tips

• If your tensioning knob becomes stuck, it may be due to a jammed nut/disk being stuck. If you have difficulties loosening the nut, then try using a pair of adjustable pliers. If needed, use a towel to protect the nut from being marred by the wrench. 

• Avoid forcing adjustments. If anything feels bound, stop and check alignment, screws, or call us for guidance.

✅ Success Check

• Flywheel spins freely

• No rubbing or grinding

• Blade is centered and tracks smoothly

• Tensioning system is responsive and stable

Need More Help?

Here is a video for reference: