Today I experienced my first power tool injury. I was using my Grizzly G055P 1 hp bandsaw. I was working on a bandsaw box made out of bubinga. This morning I noticed that my blade was burning the wood, so I thought it was dull and purchased a new one. But, the same thing happened. I reset my tracking and all of the bearings. When I went in to do a practice cut the blade suddenly came loose and fell off the weels, so I put the blade back on and tensioned it. So I went and started cutting out the box. The blade was wobbling so I increased the tension. I had to tighten a 1/4 blade all the way to what a half inch blade should be at. At the end of the cut all of the sudden the blade shot off, pulled the wood forward and then it hit my finger which was about 3 inches away from the saw blade. The blade came off like a slingshot. Thank god the cut was not bad enough to need stitches but it sure shook me up. Plus I took all the proper safety precautions. I was using the right size blade, tightened the blade according to the woodwhisperers instructions in his video and have used the manual to adjust the bearings etc. Plus I was keeping my distance from the blade. I think this was caused by a problem with the tension. I am calling Grizzly on Monday. At least I am all right. What do you guys think might of caused this?
| Blog entry by DantheWoodworker | posted 262 days ago | 915 reads | 1 time favorited | 12 comments |  |
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12 comments so far
derosa
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657 posts in 635 days
#1 posted 262 days ago
Make sure the bands around the wheels are in good shape and sitting properly in their tracks? Seems like an odd amount of tension but I’ve had to do the same thing with one blade I had and that shouldn’t cause the blade to pop off if the wheels are set right and the blade is tracking down the middle.
-- --Rev. Russ in Wolcott, NY-- A posse ad esse
sras
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2683 posts in 929 days
#2 posted 262 days ago
Sorry to hear of your troubles. I’m afraid I can’t offer any help, but I am interested in learning what happened. Glad you were not hurt worse.
-- Steve - Impatience is Expensive
tyskkvinna
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880 posts in 785 days
#3 posted 262 days ago
I also had a bandsaw blade fly off today and scare the daylights out of me. No clue what’s up with yours- still trying to sort out what happened to mine—but I have a lot of sympathy for what happened. Hopefully Grizzly will have some suggestions huh?
-- Lis - Michigan - http://www.missmooseart.com
David Craig
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1627 posts in 908 days
#4 posted 262 days ago
Sounds either like the wheel tracking is off or, like what was already mentioned, that the rubber around the wheels is damaged. Tracking would cause the wobble and more tension would have put the right amount of pressure to make it vulnerable for popping off. Just my first impression based on what you have described.
David
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
Bearpie
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2123 posts in 818 days
#5 posted 262 days ago
Also check the rollers or guides and make sure they are not out of position. I noticed that the thumb screw on my band saw kept coming loose and had to use a pair of pliers to tighten it. If the rollers are too far forward it will push the blade off. However this may not be your problem but still check that.
-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
Grandpa
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1473 posts in 475 days
#6 posted 262 days ago
Wheel tracking is off. The faces of the wheels are not parallel and in alignment. My guess since that is all we can do from here.
ajosephg
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1502 posts in 1360 days
#7 posted 262 days ago
I am curious as to how the blade (even if it comes off or breaks) can hit your finger if all the guards and covers are in place. Can you give us some more details on that?
-- Joe
Bertha
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10280 posts in 493 days
#8 posted 262 days ago
I would check the crown on the tires and make sure it’s tracking correctly. I’ve had a big blade break before and crumple up around the guard above the table. It didn’t get me but it certainly could have. I’ll never forget the shrieking sound it let off. Knock on wood, but if something gets me, it’ll probably be the bandsaw. I just dont’ have the requisite amount of fear for it, even with a 1 inch blade. Glad you’re OK.
-- Al
HorizontalMike
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2321 posts in 713 days
#9 posted 261 days ago
I am curious why you are burning the wood. Sounds like maybe one or more of the following may be contributing factor(s):
++ you are cutting too thick of piece of wood with a blade that has too many teeth in the cut (maybe the gullets are failing to clear)
++ you are feeding the piece too rapidly
++ you might be running the BS speed too high (your BS has 2-speeds) for what you want to cut
-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."
DantheWoodworker
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18 posts in 320 days
#10 posted 261 days ago
Joe, somehow the blade snapped out through the guard.
cloakie1
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203 posts in 354 days
#11 posted 261 days ago
make sure that the tyres are kept clean on the wheels and there is no damage…..the new blade could have been a crook one as well …just shown up more if the tyres are dirty. burning could be lack of set on the blade as well as feed speed….and a broken bandsaw blade can be bloody scary!!! glad your ok
-- just get stuck in and have a go!!!
cloakie1
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203 posts in 354 days
#12 posted 261 days ago
make sure that the tyres are kept clean on the wheels and there is no damage…..the new blade could have been a crook one as well …just shown up more if the tyres are dirty. burning could be lack of set on the blade as well as feed speed….and a broken bandsaw blade can be bloody scary!!! glad your ok
-- just get stuck in and have a go!!!
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