Remove the blade guards from the saw – it is easier if the blade guides are not interfering with the blade tracking. Adding more tilt to the blade requires loosening blade tension, adjusting tilt, and then re-tension of the blade. There is no use in proper blade tracking if the saw blade is bent, damaged, or in poor condition.
When the blade is centered on the top blade it tracks to the front on the bottom wheel. 12-06-2018, 7:21 PM #9 That’s similar to what I see on my saw, except that I run a 1/2″ blade on mine, so the tooth edge of the blade isn’t so close to the edge. 12-06-2018, 8:43 PM #11 I have the Rikon 10-326 as well….I agree that as long as the blade tracks in the center of the upper wheel don’t worry about where it tracks on the lower wheel.
A catalyst for this seems to be Jim Cummings article “Home Shop Bandsaw” in Fine Woodworking #63. From the hundreds of bandsaw owners I’ve talked with since the article appeared, it seems there are lingering questions on how to adjust a bandsaw blade, the blade choice and operation. “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. An interesting experiment is to set the side guys too far from the blade and notice how increased feed pressure and turning make the blade wander.
Note in the upper corner of the wheel you can see the blade on the right but on the left there is no blade because it has run off the wheel at that point any ideas what I can do thanks Mike. What you describe makes no sense unless 1) something is interfering with the blade and pushing it forward/backward somewhere, 2) the wheels are way out of spec and one is seriously out of whack, or 3) the blade is defective. Brad you are right it don’t make sense, when i try to get the blade in the blade guide to go back som I can move the blade back on the wheel i can’t get them to line up, I loosened the thrust bearing up and moved them back but it don’t make any difference.
“Bandsaw blade – switched to 3/16” blade – Wont track. A good blade will be boxed, or the best blades are the ones made for you, and usually they are shipped in a strong box, but the blades themselves are loose in the box, with ties around the blade at a few spots to keep them together. Now, the blade will track and stay in the center of the top wheel.
how to track a bandsaw blade Related Question:
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.
Why does my bandsaw blade keeps coming off?
Blade Tension Is Too Loose The most common reason why the blade is slipping off is that there isn’t enough tension to keep it on. Blades can slowly become loose after years of wear and tear, and eventually, you’ll need to tighten or replace them.
Why it is important to check the tracking on a band saw?
A blade needs to be properly tracked in order to ensure a smooth operation, secure operator safety, and to keep the bandsaw running optimally and smooth. It would be a waste of time and money to cut materials without first tracking the saw blade. Without it, crooked cuts result, equating to wasted materials.
What is the correct tension for 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.
Which way do the teeth go on a bandsaw?
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.
How is the size of a bandsaw determined?
The Specs. A bandsaw is nominally sized by the diameter of its wheels. The throat width is then immediately recognizable as about 1″ less — that defines the widest board that can be passed between the blade and the column. The resaw capacity is the maximum height (thickness) that can be cut.
What causes bandsaw 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 bandsaw not 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 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.
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 bandsaws shake?
Band saw tires are another likely source of vibration. Tired tires, caked with pitch and dust or full of cracks and missing chunks, can not only contribute to blade and saw vibration but can also cause major blade tracking problems.
How do I know if my bandsaw blade is sharp?
Get a 6 tooth per inch blade. When it gets dull,it will begin to not cut easily,and will sort of jerk along through the wood as you apply pressure. A sharp blade cuts without urging.
Can bandsaw blades be sharpened?
If you’re looking to sharpen your band saw blade, you have two options: manually sharpen the blade yourself or use a mechanical sharpening machine.
What can I do with old bandsaw blades?
There is life for those old, broken, and dull bandsaw blades. Just cut the old blade into sections about 12″ long. Stack the pieces together, alternating the teeth so that they don’t touch their neighbors. Use either same tape, or just braze the ends together,.