View Full Version : Bandsaw problem
sparky567
04-27-2008, 03:58 PM
I recently changed the blade on my Jet bandsaw. Before I changed it, I cut some aluminium service conductor (big wires) , cut through the soft pvc iisulation and through the hard insulation no problem, it did hit hard a couple of times... So I put on a brand new blade but not something is disaligned because anything I cut is not square anymore.
I was testing the cuts on some short pieces of unistrut. I raised the two pieces to joined them at the cut. the right piece (the cut piece) is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. I don't know what to adjust, The owners manual has nothing on troubleshooting...
Any idea to those that have the same horizontal/vertical bandsaw.:confused:
hankj
04-27-2008, 04:56 PM
Make sure the band tension is TIGHT, and check the roller guides for alignment. Dropping the bow can knock stuff out of whack pretty easily.
Cutting insulation is a poor practice. The grit winds up on the wheels, and sticks real well. Better to strip cable or wire first.
Hank
bandsawguy
04-28-2008, 11:10 AM
Sparky,
Like Hank said band tension is the number 1 problem with the blade deflecting during a cut with a new blade. A 1/2 inch blade should have at least 15,000 psi of tension on it. On the small 4x6 saws thats about as tight as you can get it using your hand on the knob. Probably about the same on yours unless they give you a longer handle for tightening. I would also check the blade alignment next but usually a new blade will give you a straight cut even if its slightly deflected from being square to the travel of the bow. Then after a few cuts the teeth on the one side will dull early and the blade will start making crooked cuts. at least thats what I find on the big saws I work on everyday.
Doug
whateg0
04-28-2008, 02:18 PM
Uh, yeah. Bouncing bandsaw = bad! (Although the blade may live a couple of cuts longer before breaking halfway through a cut in a piece of 1.5x1.5x.25 angle. Good thing I saved the old blade. ;) )
Hope you get it adjusted!
Dave
tigster
04-28-2008, 05:03 PM
someone had posted a link here before to another forum, was it yahoo? i'm not sure, but anyway, a really good article on how to make all the adjustments on bandsaws. doing a search on this forum for bandsaws will probably find it. good luck, and make sure the blade is good and TIGHT.