Bandsaw tensioning After I built my home made bandsaw, I wanted to get a better idea of how much tension I was putting on the blade. “Bandsaw blades can take 15,000 PSI of tension. A greater limit is how much force your bandsaw can take. From my measurements, given the limitations of a typical bandsaw, it’s just about impossible to over-tension any but the narrowest of bandsaw blades. 70 pounds is more than my 14” bandsaw is capable of. Home made tension gauge Because clamping a caliper to a bandsaw blade is awkward and can damage the blade, I built myself a simple bandsaw tension gauge using some birch plywood and a dial indicator.
“To use the meter, install the blade, put a moderate amount of tension on it and get it to run on the wheels where you want it, then lower the tension to zero. To do this put the tension meter on the blade, making sure there is a gap of about 0.020” between the bottom clamp block and the spine. Now increase blade tension to apply whatever amount of tension you want. “Using this gage I found that the difference between applying 25 ksi to a Woodmaster CT and 42 ksi is surprising little. At 25 ksi the arrow on the saw’s tension indicator was just below the 1” blade mark while at 42 ksi it was just above it, less than 1/2 a turn on the tension wheel.
I tension it by feel then turn it on and off, if it doesn’t cost about 6″ of blade travel it’s too tight and too loose if it travels more.
On a machine with screw over spring tensioning, the most common on smaller machines, only really dependable way to set the blade tension is with a blade tension gauge. The machine manufacturer will provide a chart showing how much blade force is generated by any air pressure, and the blade tension in typical blade sizes. Over tightening the blade will shorten the life of the blade wheel rubber, bearings, and blade.
how to use a bandsaw tension gauge Related Question:
How much tension should there be on a bandsaw blade?
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.
What is tension gauge?
Push & Pull Tension Gauge This is a multi-purpose dynamometer to measure compression and the competence tension of the measured object by using a head or hook.
Why does my bandsaw blade wobble?
The blade on a saw left idle for long periods of time can leave an impression in the rubber tire which might cause erratic tracking. Purchase and install aftermarket replacement tires. (Search for “bandsaw tire” at woodcraft.com.) If you still see a back-and-forth motion, the culprit is probably the wheel itself.
Why did my bandsaw blade snap?
Machine Defects Even the best blades can fail if there is something else wrong with your bandsaw, and even a small misalignment of bearings or guides can put a twist in the blade as it goes around. Resulting in tension being applied in all the wrong ways which will lead to early breakage.
Why does my bandsaw blade wander?
If the wheels are worn and do not have a distinct top to the crown then the blade will not know where to go, and may wander around. This of course can cause poor cut quality and difficulty in setting the guides.
How does a tension sensor work?
Tension sensors are used to measure the dynamical tension in a moving yarn and regulate the tension of the yarn on a winding machine. Principle: Tension sensors are dynamical tension devices. The piezoelectric element mounted on a flexible beam is the most important part of tension sensors.
Why can’t I cut a straight line with my bandsaw?
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 blade burn the wood?
A majority of issues with wood burning is because of a dull saw blade. These blades may not be sharp enough to efficiently cut the wood, and thus create enough friction to heat and burn the wood. What is this? Dull blades make it more challenging to cut, which causes friction as you pass the wood through.
Why does my bandsaw bounce?
A lack of straightness in either the blade or weld could be causing the blade to bounce. Next, it is important to check the blade tension and make sure that it is high enough to keep blade bounce to a minimum. That way, your blade won?t take as much damage.