If the blade’s teeth slice off material faster than the gullets can carry the material away, that material compresses to the point that it can’t compress any more, then it starts pushing back on the blade. Mattias Wandel has an excellent visual explanation and accompanying video titled, The Physics of Bandsaw Resawing, but the same principles apply to any blade. If you still have problems with blade drift after trying a sharp 3-4 TPI blade, there is a great video by Alex Snodgrass demonstrating how to properly set up your bandsaw and guides.
My playing around over the past few years seems to confirm the suggestion that presuming a correctly sharpened and jointed blade that can/has cut straight that the onset of drift is mostly to do with position of the blade on the tyres – that if a previously straight cutting blade starts to drift that it’s probably that the blade has moved on to a different part of the tyre. The other possibility is that something other than normal wear has happened to make the blade cut differently off one side than the other if a problem suddenly kicks in – but it should keep on tracking OK with normal even wear. Prime suspect with a new blade on a saw that has previously been OK has to be a misaligned weld, or a badly sharpened blade…. ian.
In the December issue of Wood Review magazine, Peter Young gives a step by step explanation of how to adjust the blade of the bandsaw, rather than the fence, to correct for drift. The technique is one that Peter learned from Canadian woodworker Michael Fortune.
bandsaw blade drift myth Related Question:
What causes a bandsaw blade to drift?
Drift is cause because the blade buckles under the load. You can see that by stretching a ribbon between 2 points and applying a pressure to one of the edges, it will turn sideway easily. A sharp blade and high blade speed will help a lot with that.
Why does my bandsaw cut to the left?
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 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.
How tight should my bandsaw blade be?
The blade should deflect no more than 1/4 in. A good place to begin is to tension the blade until the meter reads proper tension for the next wider blade. For example, if you’re tensioning a 3/8-in.
Why do bandsaws 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.
Why are my bandsaw cuts wavy?
Re: Band saw Cutting Wavy Cuts. The clasic cause for wavy lumber is pushing a dull blade past it’s limits. Sharp don’t get it. On these low powered mills, the blade gotta be razor sharp..
Which way should the teeth face on a bandsaw?
The teeth on the bandsaw blade should face down so that the cutting action is from the top of the material to the bottom.
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.
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 do bandsaw blades break?
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.
What does resaw mean on a bandsaw?
A resaw is a large band saw optimized for cutting timber along the grain to reduce larger sections into smaller sections or veneers. Resawing veneers requires a wide blade – commonly 2 to 3 inches (52–78 mm) – with a small kerf to minimize waste.
Why does my bow saw not cut straight?
The Setup: If your saw is not properly set/sharpened it won’t cut straight. The teeth of a hand saw are set (bent away from the centerline in alternating directions) so the effective cutting surface is just slightly larger than the body of the saw.