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. During regular cutting on a well set up bandsaw the blade will move or bow backwards a bit as you press the workpiece into it. The side guides will assist in keeping the blade cutting straight, but they are not an iron lock on the blade forcing it to cut straight.
The original question of the saw not cutting square vertically is due to the fact that the blade cuts in the direction its pointing. What has been missed so far is that if the arm doesn’t fall square to the vice table, the blade, even if adjusted as above, it will still not cut square vertically. To know if you’ve got this problem, using 6″ engineers square like in the photo above, place it so the blade of the set square just touches the tip of one of the teeth that is set toward the vice and clamp it up hard.
One of the most common reasons why a bandsaw is not cutting properly is because the blade does not have the proper amount of tension on it. Another cause of a bandsaw not cutting in a straight line is if the blade is too hot. As long as you have the right blade, the right blade tension, and everything is properly attached, your bandsaw should cut in a straight line.
If the blade twists and the work piece is harder to push through the cutting area, replace the blade. Loose blade tension can also cause the blade to twist and veer off course when cutting the work piece. Check blade tension by pressing in on the side of the blade using a gloved finger.
This in turn causes the blade to not cut in a straight line. With a dull blade, there is an expectation for it to cut slower and cut crooked. The main thing that normally goes out is the crown, which is what is holding the blade in place, Most of the time the blade is right at the center, but if the crown begins to wear out, it may start allowing more and more movement, causing the blade to not cut in a straight line.
03-24-2017, 08:08 PM #1 Horizontal bandsaw not cutting straight on 304 I’m having issues cutting 304 on my horizontal bandsaw. “Shortly after the blade makes contact, it jumps over and starts cutting ~1/8” towards the end of the bar. 03-24-2017, 08:20 PM #2 I’m having issues cutting 304 on my horizontal bandsaw.
I have experienced this kind of problem, if it’s not the band saw blade, it’s the tension or guides.
metal band saw not cutting straight Related Question:
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 is my band saw cutting at an angle?
A bandsaw has a spring that you tighten to keep the blade under tension. Your saw will probably have instructions for how tight to make the blade. This spring can loose its ability to properly tension the blade after some time, allowing the blade to twist in the cut.
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 tight should metal 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 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.
Should bandsaw blade twist?
Typical bandsaw blades can be flipped “inside out” to make the teeth point the other direction. On some knife edge style blades and grit edge blades you can get a fresh sharp cutting edge from a blade this way, just by flipping it inside out.
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 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.