Just
Ask
Smitty
ASK
SMITTY!
Here are the questions . . . and
SMITTY’S answers for this issue!
NOV/ DEC 2001
Volume
44 / Issue 6
IN THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
Rocking Horse
• Child's Chalkboard
• Wine Rack and Desktop Bookshelf
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
Academy Notes
Finishing
Touches - Pt.2 Applying an Oil Finish
Service
Pointers
MARK
V (Worktable & Carriage) Troubleshooting
Safety
Tips
Using
Extension Cords
What's
New
Pro-Fence
System Router Table
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
Copyright
2001.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Having
trouble making a straight cut with the bandsaw
From
John Beck, via e-mail:
I acquired a used Shopsmith Bandsaw from another owner and have been
to the local class to see how to set it up, but I just can't seem to get
it right. When I send the wood through, the cut curves instead of going
straight. Can you help me understand and correct this problem?
The
three basic preventatives for this problem are as follows:
(1) Be sure you're not feeding your work too rapidly into the blade. Let
the blade do its cutting without forcing it.
(2) Be certain you're not pressing sideways on the blade during the cut.
(3) Try to compensate for the “lead” by merely changing the
angle at which you feed your work into the blade.
If
none of these solve your problem, you may need some adjustments.
1: BLADE GUIDES -- With the blade tensioned properly, loosen the guides,
then move them carefully so their sides fit snugly against the sides of
the blade -- and they don't force the blade to one side or the other.
When adjusted properly, the front edges of the guides should be just short
of the edge of the gullets between (and behind) the teeth.
2: BLADE BACK-UP ROLLERS -- With the blade tensioned properly, adjust the auto-track roller (behind the top wheel) and the lower roller (below the table) so they are touching the back edge of the blade during operation.. Also adjust the upper roller (above the table) so it is about 1/64" away from the back edge of the blade during operation.
3: BLADE TOOTH SET -- If the blade always leads off in the same direction, the teeth may have an uneven set. You may be able to correct this by LIGHTLY honing the side of the blade that it leads toward. Clamp a piece of wood to the table surface so it rests against the side of the blade OPPOSITE the side your blade leads toward. Then, turn on your machine and LIGHTLY touch a honing stone to the blade on the lead side. CAUTION: BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF HARM'S WAY DURING THIS OPERATION. If your stone is small, tape it to a longer piece of scrap wood so you can get a good grip on it without your fingers being too close to the running blade.
If these approaches don't work, I would suggest that you begin by replacing the blade.
If that doesn't solve your problem, your machine may be mis-aligned. I suggest that you check the alignment procedures in your Owner's Manual. If you don't have an owner's manual, you can order one by calling 1-800-543-7586 TOLL-FREE.
Have a Question? E-Mail Smitty Today. . .
If
you're having a problem setting-up, aligning or maintaining your Shopsmith
equipment, you should contact Shopsmith's Technical Support Staff (NOT
Smitty).
Call TOLL-FREE, 1-800-762-7555 during normal business hours to
speak directly with a Shopsmith Technical Support Representative.
