Bandsaw question

Guerra Cues

Guerra Cues

I build one cue at a time
Silver Member
Hey folks,
Might be a stupid question but if the tires on the bandsaw are a bit dirty, with what solution and what do you use to clean them out? I just got a 14" Ridgid bandsaw and bought a Timberwolf 1/2" 4tpi blade and the tires are a bit dirty. Also suggestions to try removing some of the vibration I am getting are welcome. As a fyi I already replaced the belt with a link belt and that took quite a bit of the vibration, just trying to get a smoother run on this bandsaw.
 
Bandsaw tips

There are a number of things that can be done to tune up your band saw. Mark Duginske has a good book called "Guide to the band saw" or something like that.

While making sure the guides and thrust bearings are properly setup is important for blade tracking, it has little to do with vibration unless you're running the blade where any of the guides are touching without a workpiece being cut.

The guides should only spin when cutting stock. If they're being engaged by just the blade, you've not set enough clearance between the blade and the guides.

The side guides should be set the thickness of a dollar bill away from the blade. The thrust bearing should be set the distance of a dollar bill folded in half twice. Don't forget their are guides below the table as well.

Since you're using a newer band saw, you probably have crowned urethane tires. You probably don't need anything more than a brush to clean those. Some manufacturers install a brush in the lower wheel housing. If not, it is an easy modification and well worth it. Mount a bristle brush to the housing so that it clears the dust from the wheel. Google will give you some good photos. I think Grizzly sells them, among many other suppliers.

Don't forget dust collection as well. It is best done above the table as well as at the lower wheel.

The link belt is useful for vibration.

Besides making sure your band saw is level, also make sure that the wheels are co-planar. Use a large straight edge to see if you can touch both sides of the upper and lower wheels at the same time with the straight edge. If so, the wheels are co-planar. If not, see your manual for adjusting the wheels. Sometimes shims are involved and you may have to remove the table on some band saws.

Check your blade tension as well. If you have a newer model saw, you should be able to flip a lever to release tension when you're not using the saw. This will help the blade last longer, since it isn't constantly under tension.

Another tip is to take a honing stone and smooth out the rear of the blade. This will also extend the life of the blade and make a smoother cut where the weld isn't tearing at the wood.

There are a number of blade cleaners, but a buddy turned me on to good ole' oven cleaner.

Good luck,
Beau
 
Tony, your bandsaw is vibrating because when u changed the belt and loosened the motor mount bolts you didnt re-align the motor pulley with the drive pulley. This is what sucks about the ridgid. Basically your motor is sittin sideways.
 
Good post Beau, I couldn't have said it better. I have Mark's books and boy did it help straighten out my craftsman bandsaw. Here is a link to a good video from the Wood Whisperer, Marc Spagnuolo, http://thewoodwhisperer.com/bandsaw-setup-tuneup/
It gives a good visual to your description/advice. Actually he has a whole series of videos that are quite interesting.
One way to clean the wheels if their gummy, I would try a bit of denatured alcohol on a small spot and see if it cleans it without damage.
Dave
 
Pinesol on a rag and clean the wheels while the blade is off. It'll condition the rubber while cleaning the debris away.
 
Thanks for all the awesome info guys.
I got the bandsaw to run very smooth actually. Here is what I have done:

- Took the bandsaw of the carpet in the garage and set it on the concrete floor (what a difference).
- Installed a 3/4" plywood piece under the motor and I put back the rubber cushioning pads.
- Installed the link belt - measured with tape the distance between the bandsaw pulley/belt and measured the distance between the belt/motor pulley and made sure the distance between the belt and the bandsaw wall was just about the same.

What a difference after I made the adjustments. Now I am just going to install tomorrow the Timberwolf blade and I am in business.

ELBeau said:
There are a number of things that can be done to tune up your band saw. Mark Duginske has a good book called "Guide to the band saw" or something like that.

While making sure the guides and thrust bearings are properly setup is important for blade tracking, it has little to do with vibration unless you're running the blade where any of the guides are touching without a workpiece being cut.

The guides should only spin when cutting stock. If they're being engaged by just the blade, you've not set enough clearance between the blade and the guides.

The side guides should be set the thickness of a dollar bill away from the blade. The thrust bearing should be set the distance of a dollar bill folded in half twice. Don't forget their are guides below the table as well.

Since you're using a newer band saw, you probably have crowned urethane tires. You probably don't need anything more than a brush to clean those. Some manufacturers install a brush in the lower wheel housing. If not, it is an easy modification and well worth it. Mount a bristle brush to the housing so that it clears the dust from the wheel. Google will give you some good photos. I think Grizzly sells them, among many other suppliers.

Don't forget dust collection as well. It is best done above the table as well as at the lower wheel.

The link belt is useful for vibration.

Besides making sure your band saw is level, also make sure that the wheels are co-planar. Use a large straight edge to see if you can touch both sides of the upper and lower wheels at the same time with the straight edge. If so, the wheels are co-planar. If not, see your manual for adjusting the wheels. Sometimes shims are involved and you may have to remove the table on some band saws.

Check your blade tension as well. If you have a newer model saw, you should be able to flip a lever to release tension when you're not using the saw. This will help the blade last longer, since it isn't constantly under tension.

Another tip is to take a honing stone and smooth out the rear of the blade. This will also extend the life of the blade and make a smoother cut where the weld isn't tearing at the wood.

There are a number of blade cleaners, but a buddy turned me on to good ole' oven cleaner.

Good luck,
Beau
Click to expand...

Thanks Beau for the info. I did try several things u mentioned here and actiually the guy at Woodcraft gave the same suggestion about the honing stone and smooth out the rear of the blade and bought a gadget there to do that.

qbilder said:
Pinesol on a rag and clean the wheels while the blade is off. It'll condition the rubber while cleaning the debris away.
Click to expand...

Thanks Eric. My wife uses Pinesol for the kitchen floors now I found some other used for it :thumbup:

LGSM3 said:
Tony, your bandsaw is vibrating because when u changed the belt and loosened the motor mount bolts you didnt re-align the motor pulley with the drive pulley. This is what sucks about the ridgid. Basically your motor is sittin sideways.
Click to expand...

Hey buddy,
Thanks for your advice. Also followed what you told me over the phone and now instead of thinking about selling it again on Craigslist, it will be a keeper for now :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top