I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
adjustable, but nothing helps.
I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
just need to get a new blade?
On 9 Jun 2004 12:29:40 -0700, [email protected] (vidar) wrote:
>I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
>mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
>something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
>adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
>I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
>just need to get a new blade?
If the blade is old, then it's probably wise to replace it, since you
don't know what kind of condition it's in. Bandsaw blades are
relatively cheap so it's not a big investment.
As others have pointed out, you need to adjust for drift or lead, and
the AWW page explains it pretty well. But if you're new to
bandsawing, I recommend you pick up a copy of Mark Duginske's Bandsaw
Handbook. It will explain about the lead corrections and a whole lot
more that's really good to know.
-- jc
Published e-mail address is strictly for spam collection.
If e-mailing me, please use jc631 at optonline dot net
Do a search on this site for the word "lead" as in blind leading the, and
you'll get the idea that almost all blades lead. If it cuts fine,
compensate.
Library a good place to pick up information on the peculiarities and safety
considerations for your new saw.
"vidar" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
> mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
> something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
> adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
> I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
> just need to get a new blade?
[email protected] (vidar) wrote:
>I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
>mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
>something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
>adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
>I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
>just need to get a new blade?
A Timberwolf blade will cut straight but most blades drift so you will
have to compensate in those cases. Personally I prefer to go with the
Timberwolf blades even though they break easily.
Ken Muldrew
[email protected]
(remove all letters after y in the alphabet)
"vidar" wrote in message
> I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
> mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
> something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
> adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
> I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
> just need to get a new blade?
Almost all bandsaw BLADES do this some degree. It is more a property of the
blade than the bandsaw itself. It's also called "drift" and you generally
adjust the fence to compensate for it. The following will help:
http://www.rd.com/americanwoodworker/articles/200008/main/page4.html
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/15/04
"George" wrote ...
> Do a search on this site for the word "lead" as in blind leading the, and
> you'll get the idea that almost all blades lead. If it cuts fine,
> compensate.
> "vidar" wrote ...
> > I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
> > mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
> > something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
> > adjustable, but nothing helps.
It's also known as drift.
--
Cheers,
Howard
----------------------------------------------------------
Working wood in New Jersey - [email protected]
Visit me in the woodshop - www.inthewoodshop.org
Every Timberwolf blade I've used has a slight lead. Others have
posted zero lead but the rip fence is adjusted so I really don't care.
On Thu, 10 Jun 2004 17:59:41 GMT, [email protected] (Ken Muldrew)
wrote:
>[email protected] (vidar) wrote:
>
>>I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
>>mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
>>something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
>>adjustable, but nothing helps.
>>
>>I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
>>just need to get a new blade?
>
>A Timberwolf blade will cut straight but most blades drift so you will
>have to compensate in those cases. Personally I prefer to go with the
>Timberwolf blades even though they break easily.
>
>Ken Muldrew
>[email protected]
>(remove all letters after y in the alphabet)
Don't see how it would help blade lead, and could hurt the belt. The flat part
of the blade (less the teeth) should be about centered. With the entire blade
centered the teeth can cut the belt. Another thing that effects (or magnifies)
drift is the BS alignment. Some books only have you check one dimension
(instead of 3) for wheel alignment. Finally, if you cut arcs in the same
direction in many pieces or thick stock, you'll dull one side of the blade
more than the other, and create or modify the blade lead.
Gerry
On 12 Jun 2004 04:17:40 GMT, [email protected] (Jimlemon) wrote:
>Anyone tried playing with the tracking, like making the blade ride a bit higher
>on the tire?
Don't see how it would help blade lead, and could hurt the belt. The flat part
of the blade (less the teeth) should be about centered. With the entire blade
centered the teeth can cut the belt. Another thing that effects (or magnifies)
drift is the BS alignment. Some books only have you check one dimension
(instead of 3) for wheel alignment. Finally, if you cut arcs in the same
direction in many pieces or thick stock, you'll dull one side of the blade
more than the other, and create or modify the blade lead.
Gerry
On 12 Jun 2004 04:17:40 GMT, [email protected] (Jimlemon) wrote:
>Anyone tried playing with the tracking, like making the blade ride a bit higher
>on the tire?
David J. Marks tuned a bandsaw on the DIYNetwork show "WOOD WORKS" one
episode.
The link to the episode is:
http://www.diynet.com/diy/shows_wwk/episode/0,2046,DIY_14350_26950,00.html
Unfortunately, it's not slated to be shown again at the moment, but it
should appear on the schedule again sometime. This might have also been the
episode where he blanced a nickel on his jointer...Hee Hee
Unfortunately, foor those of you who do not have satellite, DIY may not be
available on your cable system.
--
L Anthony Johnson
"vidar" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
> mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
> something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
> adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
> I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
> just need to get a new blade?
"vidar" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just got an 20-year old Craftsman bandsaw. It's in perfect
> mechanical condition except for the fact that when ever I cut
> something it cuts of to the left. I've tried to adjust what's
> adjustable, but nothing helps.
>
> I'm new to bandsaws so I don't know what the reason for this is. Do I
> just need to get a new blade?
That will help.