Bandsaw Help

RickM

A 1/4” blade will bandsaw a 5/8” circle. If your bandsaw can’t do that then it is a question of set up. Here is a reference for blade sizes and the minimum radii ~ http://www.allbandsawblades.com/Images/radius_chart.gif, the site also has a number of other very useful references.

If you run out of information there, then use this reference list ~ Bandsaws and Blades information sites

Don’t forget when your bandsaw is operating properly you can have fun making Bandsawn Boxes Bandsawn Box Plans

Good Health
Tony Ward

-- Bandsaw Box Plans

Band saw blades cut curves by cutting a wider kerf than the blade itself, and by sliding the back of the blade inside that kerf. If your blade won’t cut curves, you could very well have a blade without any set left. If the blade is setting too far back in the guides, the blocks will knock the set out (probably sparking as it does this).

A new blade, and a reset backup guide might just fix your sawing problems.

-Mark

All the above plus maybe not enough tension. I still have my ShopSmith but sold the band saw and other accessories. I think you should try a new blade and check the set up. That saw will cut very well.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

Mark – thanks shows how much I know, I was under the impression that since the cool blocks were softer than the blade that they could actually envelop the entire blade providing more support and to keep the blade from angling in the wood which was one of the other problems.
Thos you are right about the tension as well since the bandsaw uses a proprietary 72” blade I was using a 72 7/16” Vermont American blade which is only a 1/16th under the maximum and was not able to get the blade tight enough. I will be having custom blades made at Cal-Ore Carbide from now on. In you opinion since you have had both how would you rate the Shopsmith Bandsaw up to say a Grizzly?

-- RickM