I am totally incompetent....

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R

rlharding

Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2007
Messages
844
Location
Nr Vancouver, BC
...at tuning a band saw. I have read the Band Saw book. Copied and followed posts from here and I still have a 14" that the blade moves as far back as it can go at the start of a cut - 1/4" cutting mainly dry spalted maple. I also have a 9" BS that cuts directly to the right. I have adjusted, tweaked, paid homage but it still cuts at a very sharp right angle.

What's THE trick?
 
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Is your blade tensioner kablooie?

With the saw off, pluck the blade lightly like a guitar string. Does it 'ping' like a musical note or 'clank/buzz' like a...well...clankbuzz noise. [:p]

Is this happening with your new blades, too?
 
If you have rear support bearings on the 14", the blade cannot go any further back than those. They should be adjusted about the thickness of a piece of paper behind the blade. Do you have rear support bearings?
On the 9", I believe those very small bandsaws are trouble from git-go. Some get good service out of them and I say 'good for them', but I'm not a fan. As for the blade turning, it sounds like a very dull blade. That is usually the cause of blades not tracking straight.
 
My tiny 9" bandsaw's blade likes to exit stage right. I'm going to replace the blade to see if it corrects the problem. I kind of hope it doesn't. It sure would be nice to replace it with a 'real' tool.
 
make sure that your blade tensioner is set correctly or the blade will not ride the tires correctly. It needs to be tensioned based on the width of the blade. Make sure that your bearings are set right up to the blade when the saw is off. If you are pushing the blade back, the guides are not doing their job. Turn the wheels by hand a couple of times to make sure the blade is tracking on the center of the tires and not binding in the bearings. If ANY of the variables are off, the saw will not cut straight or consistently. It does take some practice, but if I can do it, anyone can;).
 
Feel your pain,i find if i want to cut curves,i use a 1/4" and below, if i want to go straight i use 1/2"and above.There must be a back bearing on your saw that size,just bring forward. That said,i was a patient man when i threw that mower into tree>:) Carl
 
I had the same problems until I bought a better quality blade and a set of cool blocks. Now it cuts like a dream. What I'm saying is, it could be your blade. :)
 
My bandsaw has never been right since I pushed my mobile phone through it, was fed up getting little or no signal when people were calling me.[xx(]

New blade on order![V]
 
Put me in the "try a GOOD blade" group. I got a little 9" for xmas. It does have side and back roller bearings, so I think that helps too... But once I put a good fine-tooth blade on it, I cut segmented pens (including a .020 veneer celtic cross posted here) with no sanding.
 
Originally posted by ligget

My bandsaw has never been right since I pushed my mobile phone through it, was fed up getting little or no signal when people were calling me.[xx(]

New blade on order![V]
Click to expand...

huhhhh...I never knew you could amplify the signal on a phone by cutting it in half.

*buuzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz*

Can you hear me now?[:p]:D
 
Did you order a new phone as well. I have never tried fixing something by cutting the phone in half. I'll have to try next time my JD tractor breaks down. I always call the manufacturer instead. My only problem now is that it is bedtime for me, (wake up at 3:30am eastern) and I now cannot stop laughing.
 
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