My new bandsaw!!!!!! Arrived, assembled, 1st cut!

[Bob S2]

It arrived yesterday at work, I picked it up today. Tonight I opened the nice rectangular box to find styrofoam with little openings here for wheels, a slot for an axle, this little compartment over here holds the table....OH MY G*D that other one was so pulverized that I didn't even know it had these little areas!
Assembly went well, I put the belt on the center pulleys. My first cut was with full weight on the saw, and it cut very well - a little loud, but I was cutting 3 inch square by .25 thick tubing. I did notice little wisps of smoke from the cut itself. I remember that on the other saw when I first tried it out. On the next cut I adjusted the spring tensioner a little and the sound was much better. No smoke either. After this cut I adjusted the switch a little. and the down-stop bolt.
I tried cutting a thin slice, and it worked beautifully! I just measured the thickness of the slice off the 3 inch tubing and it's 1/16 thick. All I can say is wow!
I'll post pictures of this tomorrow, I'm too tired tonight. I know everyone here is probably sick of yet another bandsaw picture but given the background on my experiences, I can't hold back. WOW.
This is horrible, I've only made three cuts with it and I'm already thinking of how to modify it for this or that. A little tray to catch the metal filings, a shelf to hold stuff and act as a stiffener, oh and it looks like the 5x8 size could be larger than that - I think I might be able to get 9 wide out of this if I modify the clamp. I need to go to bed. Now, if I remember correctly, people recommend changing the oil right away. Any suggestions on what kind? I'm too tired to search tonight for the answer, I'm going to bed.
On a side note, the saw came in yesterday, but yesterday was probably the worst day of work I'd had in 4 years. It was so confrontational and stressfull that I went home even knowing I could just go over and pick up my saw at the loading dock. It was so bad I gave serious thought to not going in today and sending out resumes instead. Today ended up better, but the persons I had to deal with yesterday are being let off the hook, no reprocussions. I hate the corporate world with a passion, but it pays the bills. Good night all!
--Bob

[James D. Clark]

Bandsaw worm gear oil: Found these examples; Shell Valvata J-78 or Shell Macoma 72. There is also Royal Purple worm gear oil. Or any equivalents.

[tigman]

Bob nice to hear it arrived safely. Just FYI bandsaw blades do have a break in period. I run mine about half speed half feed pressure for the first 5 or 6 cuts on large material. There is actually a proper amount of square inches of material to cut this way but i don't remember the exact no. off hand. Helps blade life and cut quality. Scott

[cope]

Bob, I don't know about anyone else, but I always ran my bandsaw on the slowest speed rather thean the md speed.

Glad it finally got there; I know it was worth the wait.

[KennyG]

Bob, congrats on your new jet. We all look forward to some pics.

[Zrexxer]

Bob, I don't know about anyone else, but I always ran my bandsaw on the slowest speed rather thean the md speed.

That certainly won't hurt anything, but Jet actually recommends the middle step for mild steel, and it sure improves your cutting speed. I started out with mine on slow too for some reason; when I changed it was much better.

[toolaholic]

have fun love my grizzly bob.

[hankj]

Bob,

Well, I'm glad to hear that the saga has ended favorably. You have a great attitude, bud. My hat's off to you.

Hank

[Bob S2]

This thing is so cool. I've just cut another 1/16th off the piece I have, and it's perfect. I can't wait to really give it a try on some serious 5 inch x2inch C channel I have. Won't happen in the next week, but we're getting closer every day! Just finished fixing the leak(hopefully), moving on to all the other stuff. I've got to go cut some stuff now! I'm charging the camera so I can post a few pics later on. Thanks everyone!!!!

--Bob

[Bob Sigmon]

Congrats on the new saw. It sure is great when you can get exactly the cut you want with no fooling around!