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.
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.
band saw 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.
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 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.
Why won’t my bandsaw 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 metal bandsaw not cut straight?
Blade is Running in the Wrong Direction Make sure the blade is running in the correct direction. On machines powered by three phases power so it is common to get the wiring reversed and have the blade running the wrong direction. On all vertical blade bandsaws the working portion of the blade should go down.
What causes bandsaw blade 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 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 do you straighten a bandsaw blade?
How to straighten a bandsaw blade? It is risky but if it’s absolutely necessary, a temporary fix to straighten a bandsaw blade can be done by placing it on an anvil and gently tapping it flat with a nylon head hammer/mallet or using a pair of gas pliers to straighten out the blade.
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.
Can you weld a broken band saw blade?
Luckily for you, though – a broken bandsaw blade doesn’t have to be the end of your work. What is this? You can simply weld the bandsaw blade back into shape.