Service Pointers

Service Methods and Tips

JULY/AUG 2005
Volume 48/Issue 4

IN THIS ISSUE
Project Articles
• The Heirloom Cradle
• The Spirit of St. Louis Toy Airplane
• Making All-Purpose Wooden Boxes

DEPARTMENTS
• Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners

Academy Notes
Properties of Cabinet Lumber

Service Pointers
Bandsaw Service Pointers

What's New
Lift-Assist

EDUCATION
• Find A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
• National Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH

ONLINE CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
• Request Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online Replacement Parts Catalog

MARK V INFORMATION
• Find A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
• Request MARK V Information Package

LINKS
• Links Worth Visiting
• Free Woodworking Tips

FEEDBACK
Contacting Shopsmith

Service Pointers
Bandsaw Service Pointers
Printer friendly PDF copy of article (11K)

As with any type of blade, bandsaw blades eventually wear and dull. A dull blade will cut slower, heat up, potentially burn the wood and could even break while the saw is running...causing personal injury. Also, if a blade's worn more on one side than on the other, it won't track properly. These are just a few of he reasons why it's always a good idea to replace worn, dull blades immediately.

When changing from one size of bandsaw blade to another, always remember to adjust both the upper and lower blade guide rollers to provide the optimum back-up and support. The upper blade guide roller should 1/32" to 1/16" away from the back of the blade. If it's not, the blade will rub against and score the roller. See your bandsaw owner's manual for complete instructions on how to adjust the blade guide rollers and perform other bandsaw maintenance procedures.

If you have tried these remedies and they didn’t work . . . or if you’re experiencing difficulties that are not listed here, feel free to call Shopsmith’s TOLL-FREE Technical Services Hotline (1-800-762-7555) for the answer or send an e-mail to Shopsmith Technical Support.

WARNING: Always unplug machine before making any adjustments or performing any maintenance procedures.

Potential Problem	Possible Cause	Remedy
Blade "ticks" or "knocks" while running	Blade or weld is damaged. Blade twisted or bent in one spot	Stop machine. Examine blade & replace if damaged. t Remove blade and straighten. Replace if damaged.
Ripped or resawn boards have taper or bevel	Stock fed improperly Table not square to blade	Feed stock carefully. Avoid side pressure during cuts. Inspect & adjust squareness of table.
Blade brakes	Blade tension set too high Feed rate too fast Cutting corner too tight for blade being used Blade dull or worn	Reduce blade tension to proper setting Feed stock slower & avoid forcing the cut Make relief cuts first...oruse a narrower blade Replace blade
Blade binds when making a cut	Cutting corner too tight for blade being used Stock improperly cured (too wet) Blade dull or worn	Make relief cuts first...or use a narrower blade Use properly cured (dried) stock Replace blade
Kerf jams with sawdust - unable to back-track	Back-tracking too long a cut. Never attempt to back-track more than one inch Stock improperly cured (too wet)	Turn off machine. Let blade stop completely before attempting to back-track Use properly cured (dried) stock
Teeth scrape guide blocks	Blade guides set too far forward	Realign blade guides
Blade hits table insert	Blade twisting during cut Back-tracking too long a cut. Never attempt to back-track more than one inch	Make relief cuts first or use a narrower blade Turn off machine. Let blade stop completely before attempting to back-track