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.
“To find the correct tension, you can start with the tension scale on your saw, but you will probably need to fine tune the adjustment. With the saw unplugged, increase the tension on the blade until pushing on the side of the blade with your finger using a moderate amount of force deflects the blade about a 1/4” from its normal position. When too much tension is put on the blade, premature blade breakage and poor tracking can occur, but most important, you can damage your machine by trying to make it reach a blade tension greater than the machine was designed to operate at. The answer is yes, so be careful not to over tension your bandsaw blade.
Running your bandsaw blade tension too loose can cause your blade to come off track another dangerous situation. Then you adjust the bandsaw blade tension to reflect what the manufacturer recommends the blade tension should be. The bandsaw blade flutter test, my opinion probably one of the best ways to properly set up blade tension.
We’ve seen various methods for setting bandsaw blade tension, from fancy gauges to plucking the blade like a guitar string. Turn the tensioning handwheel until the tension gauge is at or a little above the recommended tension for your blade width. With the saw running, slowly release the tension-about 1⁄2 turn of the tensioning wheel at a time-until the blade starts to flutter, as shown at right.
Installing the blade is almost identical to taking it off, but this time you WILL need to re-adjust the upper and lower blade guides and the Thrust Bearing. So install the new blade by placing it on the upper wheel first, then the lower wheel, and now is a good time to take up a bit of slack in the blade. Before you start to align the blade on the wheel, make sure none of guides or thrust bearings are touching the blade … now, spin the upper wheel while adjusting the angle of the blade.
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.
Blade Tension Timber Wolf® Silicon steel blades are very stable at low tension or lower tension than what is normally recommended by most saw manufacturers and other blade manufacturers. If a specific cutting application requires that more tension be applied to the blade, such as when resawing large material or cutting green logs, the recommended force for these blades can be increased by as much as 20%. To apply the exact same blade tension each time saws would require a very expensive hydraulic or air strain tensioning system to create a repeatable tensioning method. Timber Wolf® blades from 1/8″ to 2-1/8″ for every cutting application; scroll cutting, curve cutting, ripping, cross-cutting,resawing, milling, metal cutting and Urethane Band Saw Tires.
how much tension should be on a bandsaw blade Related Question:
How tight should a tension 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.
How do you measure the tension on a bandsaw blade?
Bandsaw blade tension is usually worked out by measuring the elastic stretch (strain) of the blade under tension, and multiplying that by the Young’s modulus of steel and the blade’s cross-sectional aera to get the actual tension.
How do you tension a Timberwolf bandsaw blade?
Shut the motor or engine off and wait until the blade comes to a full stop. Add another 10% of tension to the blade by turning the screw-tensioner approximately 1/8 to 1/4 turn. The “flutter test” is now complete and you are now at appropriate tension for that particular blade.
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 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 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 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.