band saw tune up

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JCochrun

JCochrun

Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
230
Location
Penn Valley, CA
I've been noticing a problem with the cuts from my band saw. The have lots of ridges. I adjusted the tension and that worked for a cut or two but then they were back. I've looked up, read, watched videos, bought dvds on tuning up band saws. I thought I did everything right. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to try next? My band saw is Central Machinery 14 inch. I've installed all of the Carter stuff (quick release tension, urethane tires, guides).

Thanks,

Jim
 
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This may not be the answer but it happened to me just last week and won't take but a minute to check.....

I use a carbide tipped blade and I started noticing sharp ridges on whatever I was cutting and noticed that the blade had a wobble to it. Upon inspection I noticed that two teeth were bent out of line with the rest of them so I took a pair of pliers and bent them back in line with the rest of the teeth. Now it cuts like new!

I would say check your teeth for one or two that are out of alignment.
 
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I'll go with George, but a twist in the blade can do that too. I have the same saw with the riser and most of the Carter upgrades you have. Been wanting the quick release for years, but for now... well, you know.
 
:confused::confused: Sounds to me that all your ducks (teeth in this case) are not in a row. Try taking a sharpening stone, and with the saw running, press it against the blade sides from the back of the saw. If the set of the teeth is off or any teeth are bent, this should straighten them out. It will also give you a slightly smaller kerf and a smoother running blade. If you hear a clicking sound as you are doing this, or while you are cutting, you may have a bad weld in the blade or a slight crack in it somewhere. I also will lube my blades with silicon spray or a wax candle to make them run smoother. If your rub blocks are set correctly, you blade should remain straight. Also check your rear bearing for a groove cut into it. Jim S
 
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plantman said:
:confused::confused: Sounds to me that all your ducks (teeth in this case) are not in a row. Try taking a sharpening stone, and with the saw running, press it against the blade sides from the back of the saw. If the set of the teeth is off or any teeth are bent, this should straighten them out. It will also give you a slightly smaller kerf and a smoother running blade. If you hear a clicking sound as you are doing this, or while you are cutting, you may have a bad weld in the blade or a slight crack in it somewhere. I also will lube my blades with silicon spray or a wax candle to make them run smoother. If your rub blocks are set correctly, you blade should remain straight. Also check your rear bearing for a groove cut into it. Jim S
Click to expand...

Jim, you may have missed it, but he doesn't have blocks (rub, cool, or otherwise). He has upgraded to Carter Bearing guides.
 
Changing to blade with more TPI, different set, and slowing rate of feed into blade can vastly improve cut surface.

I get those ridges too with both new & old blades. Agree certain blades more prone to do this than others. I use a 3 TPI hook set blade on the saw. I clean up cut surface by feeding wood slower into blade. Rather fight than switch my bandsaw blades.
 
alamocdc said:
plantman said:
:confused::confused: Sounds to me that all your ducks (teeth in this case) are not in a row. Try taking a sharpening stone, and with the saw running, press it against the blade sides from the back of the saw. If the set of the teeth is off or any teeth are bent, this should straighten them out. It will also give you a slightly smaller kerf and a smoother running blade. If you hear a clicking sound as you are doing this, or while you are cutting, you may have a bad weld in the blade or a slight crack in it somewhere. I also will lube my blades with silicon spray or a wax candle to make them run smoother. If your rub blocks are set correctly, you blade should remain straight. Also check your rear bearing for a groove cut into it. Jim S
Click to expand...

Jim, you may have missed it, but he doesn't have blocks (rub, cool, or otherwise). He has upgraded to Carter Bearing guides.
Click to expand...

:confused::confused: Sorry Billy: I was not aware of these, I am still old school and have cool blocks. Can you get this upgrade for a Shop Smith band saw, and if so where?? Jim S
 
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plantman said:
:confused::confused: Sorry Billy: I was not aware of these, I am still old school and have cool blocks. Can you get this upgrade for a Shop Smith band saw, and if so where?? Jim S
Click to expand...

No problem, Jim, and yes, you can (Carter). Peachtree may have a slightly better price, but I didin't check. I added these to my saw and was really glad I did. They made a world of difference in my cutting!
 
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JCochrun said:
I've been noticing a problem with the cuts from my band saw. The have lots of ridges. I adjusted the tension and that worked for a cut or two but then they were back. I've looked up, read, watched videos, bought dvds on tuning up band saws. I thought I did everything right. Does anyone have suggestions as to what to try next? My band saw is Central Machinery 14 inch. I've installed all of the Carter stuff (quick release tension, urethane tires, guides).

Thanks,

Jim
Click to expand...
Jim, I'm curious, has any of the information above been helpful?
 
Sounds like the old "El Cheapo De Blado" to me. A good quality blade makes all the difference! The better blades tend not to "twist and shout" so much. I like the WoodSlicer (variable tooth resaw blade) from Highland Woodworking, but there are lots of good, reasonably priced blades out there.

Any time I get the "waffle cut", after I slice up some potatoes(hehe), I change out the blade.
 
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I would like to thank all of you for the comments. I am going to get some new blades, just not sure which ones yet. That is about the only thing that I have changed. I didn't realize that it made that much of a difference. Always thought a blade was a blade. Thanks for pointing me in a new direction.

Jim
 
Just wanted to pass on to all my thanks for the assistance. I ordered a blade, I think it was timberwolf?? but it really helped. The cuts are nice and smooth and the whole thing runs a little quieter. Thanks again.

Jim
 
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