I resawed 3 pieces of 6 inch wide by 3 feet long boards on my bandsaw to-day.I had to readjust the guides and retrack the saw blade after each board!
The problem is:After each cut the saw blade moved forward ( towards the operator)away from the thrust bearing guides( top and bottom) by half an inch.And out of the side bearing guides of course.
My bandsaw is an European made with 20 inch diameter wheels.The saw blade is the half inch 3 tpi Wood Slicer blade from Highland Hardware. The blade is tracked on the centre of the wheels and tensioned at 15mm marking on the machine gauge,which is not excessive.
Any comments on what I should do to overcome the problem will be appreciated.
Thank you.
Replies
My first check would be to see that both the upper and lower wheels are aligned with each other, and that the blade is tracking correctly with none of the guides or thrust bearings touch it.
My saw had the same problem initially, and the problem was solved by simply adjusting the tracking, and aligning the wheels with a 6' level.
Another potential area of concern would be if you adjusted your fence for drift. You didn't state if you were free handing it or using a fence. If you haven't adjusted for drift, the blade maybe 'dragging' as it cuts, and riding forward.
More info, please.
Jeff
Edited 12/7/2006 8:31 am ET by JeffHeath
The wheels have been aligned and the blade was tracking correctly as you said.
I used a high fence but did not adjust for drift. I do not have drift problems in the past when I tracked the blade at the center of the wheels. I will adjust the fence for drift to-morrow. I hope that is the problem.
Thank you for your advice.
With best regards.
Hi Jeff Heath and John WW,
I have resolved my problem with your help.
What I did:-
I tracked the saw blade with its teeth protruding from the edge of the top wheel. (That was how I have been doing before I read an article in the Fine Woodworking magazine that tracking the saw blade at the center of the wheel eliminates blade drift.)
With the blade properly tracked I locked the tracking adjuster real tight.
Next I sawed half way through a 2 inch thick plank along a straight line to get the blade drift. It was very small. The fence was then adjusted acccordingly.
Now I am a happy man again!
Thank you both of you.
With best wishes for the coming festive season.
Glad it worked out for you. You always want to track the blade on the crown of the wheel (center), not along the edge.
Happy resawing,
Jeff
My first guess would be that you tracking adjuster is slipping or backing off somehow. This is not a problem I have seen or heard of before.
John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine.
I will ensure the tracking adjuster is locked tight when I give the band saw another workout to-morrow.
Thank you for your input. I really appreciate all the help I can get.
With beat regards.
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