Tuning the Bandsaw

Hi Don;
—-well its cold out today and next I’m heading to the barn to rip some wide pine boards. And yes its going to be way cold in there also which explains why I’m in taking a break.

Good article Don, I use my bandsaw often for re-sawing timbers and wood burls, so I am always playing and tuning it to keep that line true. This problem you have descibed here of ‘crawling away from’ or ‘leading into’ is what I also call bandsaw drift. You have described and worked out a very good solution to what can be descibed as you have so stated; a devastating and frustrating problem. Nothing like doing some bookmarking on a re-saw and finding out you have lost some good character of wood to ‘drift’.

I have also found that it helps to maintain a sharp blade. Ha! One thought comes to my mind now of when I first started using a bandsaw. I had a friend who told me that one of the first things I would do is spend time and wood just seeing how thin I could saw. Well he was right, of course he had already put the the idea into my head by then. Spent some time yes I did, just seeing how thin I was able to go, and so sliver thin it was. After all those years ago, I still have some of those slivers around which I always figure, yes one day I will use.

Thank you for taking the time to write a great article here.
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

How much t-track did you end up buying?

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

8 meters = about 26’

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

After reading this post by Scott, I thought I would bump this post to the top in case there are others who don’t understand bandsaw drift.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

Don -

Thanks for the important tip. I like your table and fence! I need to build something similar so this is great timing.

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

thanks for this one Don.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Vincent Van Gogh

Good timing…I get my 1st bandsaw tomorrow….Thanks Don

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Thanks, Don. I just got my bandsaw out and tried some resawing, but the drift killed the cut. My Craftsman saw just don’t cut like the older ones! I wish, now, that I had paid some more and gotten a Rikon. Still, with the inspiration from your posting I think I can get it to slice like I want it to.

BTW, are you using the “sail track” in place of a T-track? Where do you get the sail track? Can you use a toilet bolt in them like you can in a t-track?

Thanks for the infomative posts!
God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Hawg, I live in Australia. There’s a aluminum extrusion supplier who, amongst many other profiles, supplies sail track for sailboats. I use standard coach bolts in this. Toilet bolts don’t fit.

However, sail track would not be my choice if purpose-made ‘T-track’ had been available at a reasonable price. The sail track does not have a flat profile on the top and the coach bolts slide in the track with a little resistance.

If you live in the USA or Canada, I recommend you source a purpose-made track – it’s superior.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/

There is always an idea or two in an article like this that is really helpful. Thanks for posting it Don.

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Good stuff. Check out Marc’s video at the Wood Whisperer site. It’s episode 13. He hits the basics as well as adds some personal preference to tuning up the saw. I found that when I got my first bandsaw last year, I had no idea where all the bearings and guides should be. Why do I need to have a dollar bill to set it up? I used it out of the box and didn’t love the tool. After properly tuning it, I don’t know how I get by without it.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Super Don!! Maybe I won’t have to throw my band saw out after all.

-- Bryan

Nice table set up Don.

I missed this one the first time I guess. I’m glad it showed up again.

I haven’t had any drift with my new Rikon yet, But it usually does when the blade starts dulling. I think the fence is adjustable on mine.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks Don, I ran across a very similar “Tune-UP” article a month or so ago and tried it on my 14” Grizzly. Made a world of difference. I’m glad that Bryan & Dick commented on this article to bring it back to the front. I’m sure that there are a few LJs out there that will benefit from it.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/