Replies

1. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Feb 22, 2004 12:21pm | #1

   Mac,

   People go overboard at times on bandsaw tuneups.

   But, here's the basics:

   Top and bottom wheel aligned to be coplanar
   Blade tension to give 12mm deflection under firm pressure from finger (similar to fanbelt).
   Track blade true on wheels

   Loosen all bearings on upper and lower guide assembly

   Upper guide assembly - thrust bearing set so that the blade is just missing it (thickness of a $5- bill).
   Bring both guides in so that they touch the $5 bill too - careful to not push the blade off line

   Lower guide assembly - repeat as for upper.

   This should get you 95% of the way there.

   There is a good in-depth manual written on the minimax website in the last week, but these are the basics of setup.  Let me know if you want the detailed instructions & I'll give you the website.

   Cheers,

   eddie

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/22/2004 4:24:27 AM ET by eddie (aust)

1. 
   macalex | Feb 22, 2004 01:03pm | #2

   Thanks mate

   I'll go find the MM web site - I can do that OK.

   The other mystery is blades - the technology has moved on a bit since I last used a bandsaw, apparently. I've just scanned down the most recent postings on this list and picked up a few indicators. Is there a 5 minute summary of what's new in blades?

1. 
   macalex | Feb 22, 2004 01:27pm | #3

   Uh oh

   Found the MM sites in the US and Italy, but couldn't see anything on bandsaws!

   Post the address for me pls

2. 
   BG | Feb 22, 2004 02:51pm | #4

   Kiwimac,

   There is an article and video clip on the home page here which might help with the bandsaw tune-up issues.

   Elsewhere here(knots) we have been discussing the latest issue of FWW that has an article comparing bandsaw blade performance (speed, smoothness of cut).

   Lastly, many of us use Timberwolf blades.  A supplier for these is Suffolk Machinery out of NY....they have lots of info on their web site...

   I did breakdown and buy a bandsaw book for reference...especially as a reference for blade selection and determining if bad outcomes was a matter of set up or technique....

1. 
   PlaneWood | Feb 23, 2004 12:04am | #7

   BG -

   I thought Suffolk made Timberwold blades.  They don't??

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   BG | Feb 23, 2004 01:27am | #8

   Mike,

   I'm confused by Suffolk Machinery.  When I called them on Friday, He asked where did I get the blades..I said at the WW show in Springfiled, MA. (the company was based just outside Pittsburgh, can't remember their name) and at Woodcraft....he responded with an 'Oh!" followed by a pregnant pause...and then he said, 'Ok, what's your question'.  I kinda felt like maybe I should not have called...but he did respond politely.

   I kinda think maybe they are the distributor...and they sell direct also?  I think the blades are made in Sweden for Suffolk?

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 23, 2004 02:56am | #9

   Suffolk Machinery is the developer of the Timber Wolf blades, not just "a supplier."  When you get the catalog, it will say "Gschwind" something on the front of it -- that is the name of the founder and owner, Art Gschwind.  According to the info in the "About" page of their web site, they work in partnership with a Swedish company to design and produce their band saw blades:

   "...Many years later, when researching and developing the best woodcutting blades possible with our partners in Sweden, I was reminded of the trials and errors of my father. For that reason, Timber Wolf¯ band saw blades have been a tremendous personal investment.

   The manufacturer in Sweden that we have teamed up with many years ago is the granddaddy of band saw blade technology. They invented the applied science of Electro-heat induction hardening (known as high-frequency hardening) in Sweden in 1946. This technology breakthrough was a closely held secret for 40 years and has given them and us a big advantage over our competition.

   Our exclusive use of low tensioned, high ductile Swedish silicon steels, working in combination with our unique geometric gullet designs and sets, has resulted in our having many of the finest band saw blades in the world. All of our teeth are milled, not stamped or crush-ground. Our quality control is unsurpassed in the business. In fact, we are considered a leader in the manufacturing of specialized set tooth, high performance blades."

   Can't say why you got that "pregnant pause" but it's no biggie.  I'm sure they'll provide good customer support, regardless of whether you bought them direct or through a retailer.

   http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/letter_ceo.asp

   Suffolk is one of those companies people reminisce about when the argument about "the good ol' days" starts up.  A company that was founded by one individual in an effort to make a better product and provide it to the rest of the woodworking world, and it's still apparently held as a family business.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

3. 
   forestgirl | Feb 22, 2004 08:40pm | #5

   The quickest way to get a basic run-down of bandsaw blades is to get the Suffolk catalog (makers of Timber Wolf blades) and give it a read.  You can't go wrong by calling them (1-800-234-7297), asking for a catalog and ordering a couple of blades at the same time.  Just give them the length you need and info on what type of cutting you'll be doing here at the beginning.  That'll get you started, and you can go from there.  They ship Priority Mail from New York, so it doesn't take long, even to the west coast.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

4. 
   eddiefromAustralia | Feb 22, 2004 09:48pm | #6

   My apologies, Mac

   It was the Minimax owners group on Yahoo.

   http://f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/[email protected]/lst?.dir=/MiniMax&.order=&.view=l&.src=bc&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.briefcase.yahoo.com/

   http://www.kwanwood.com/MiniMax-Temp

   If neither of these links work, you'll need to log on to Yahoo groups.  Original is here.

   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MiniMax-USA/files/

   Cheers,

   eddie