On a typical wood or metal cutting blade the hook or of point of the blade should be pointing down for a vertical blade bandsaw, or for a horizontal blade saw the hook of the teeth should be pointed such that they enter the workpiece first as the blade moves. During regular cutting on a well set up bandsaw the blade will move or bow backwards a bit as you press the workpiece into it. The side guides will assist in keeping the blade cutting straight, but they are not an iron lock on the blade forcing it to cut straight.
Bandsaw blade manufacturers recommend a tension of between 15,000 PSI and 20,000 PSI for a typical carbon-steel blade. The cutting teeth on a bandsaw blade should always point towards the direction of blade rotation. Once you are satisfied that the blade is stable on the band saw wheels at full speed, very slowly reduce the tension on the blade while watching the blade between the wheels.
Bandsaw blade twist occurs when the saw blade suddenly changes direction – left or right – while making a cut. Some common causes of bandsaw blade twist include the saw blade binding in the cut. Use a narrower blade or refer to the bandsaw’s owner’s manual for recommended blade widths regarding cutting radii and contours.
Squaring everything up, the blade starts to wander around the 15″ mark, but only the top half of the blade wanders as the bottom is still spot-on the mark, so in effect the top half of the blade is twisting in the wood. 02-09-2011, 6:27 PM #4 I’d suggest a more substantial blade in terms of blade width. 02-10-2011, 1:19 PM #11 I can resaw just as well with a 3/8 blade as a 3/4. You just have to slow down and let the teeth cut.
why does my bandsaw blade twist Related Question:
What causes a bandsaw blade to twist?
The difference between the steak and the bandsaw is where the steak knife is short and thick, the bandsaw blade is generally long and skinny. This becomes a problem because it is possible to push hard enough on the blade to cause it to twist left or right.
How much tension should a bandsaw blade be?
For carbon steel toothed blades (cutting blades) this is typically 15,000 to 25,000 PSI. Slitting type blades typically are tensioned in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 PSI. In general bandsaw blades are never tensioned past 35,000 psi.
How do I get my bandsaw to cut straight?
Band Saw: Why won’t my band saw cut straight? When the band saw cuts crooked, a dull blade, improper feeding, loose blade tension or not using a work piece guide could be the cause. Use the rip fence or miter gauge to guide the work piece uniformly through the cutting blade to make straight cuts.
Why does my bandsaw spark?
Ceramics can cause sparks. Or, if your thrust bearing is too far past the blade, more toward the center of the bearing than the edge, then it won’t turn and you’ll get sparks too, and possibly wear a groove in the bearing.
How long should a bandsaw blade last?
On average your bandsaw blade should last 6 months to as long as a few years depending on what your cutting with it. Make sure to match your blade strength and quality to the project and material your cutting.
Why are my bandsaw cuts wavy?
The clasic cause for wavy lumber is pushing a dull blade past it’s limits. Sharp don’t get it.
Where should a bandsaw blade sit on the wheel?
Make sure the machine is disconnected from the power supply. When tracking, you always want to make sure that the blade is sat on the crown of the wheel, with the deepest part of the gullet in the centre.