Bandsaw blade

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sun May 13, 2012 11:27 am

Out of necessity, I had to buy a bandsaw blade for my 11" shopsmith bandsaw from a local hardware vendor. At the time I wasn't sure of the length of the blade. So I bought a 72 1/2" blade that is 1/2" wide with 3tpi. After I got home I reviewed the manual that came with my bandsaw and discovered that the blade should be 72". My question is ...will the 72 1/2" blade fit the saw if I adjust the tensioning screw to make the blade fit securely? There seems to be quite a bit of adjustment in the tensioning screw.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sun May 13, 2012 12:37 pm

Bob
If you have the manual check the limits of bandsaw blade size. You can put the blade on the machine and then adjust the blade tension with the tension scale. If you do not get any interference it should be OK. However the top wheel will probably be very close to the top of the casting but should NOT rub on the casting.
Bill V

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Sun May 13, 2012 12:49 pm

rdewinter wrote:Out of necessity, I had to buy a bandsaw blade for my 11" shopsmith bandsaw from a local hardware vendor. At the time I wasn't sure of the length of the blade. So I bought a 72 1/2" blade that is 1/2" wide with 3tpi. After I got home I reviewed the manual that came with my bandsaw and discovered that the blade should be 72". My question is ...will the 72 1/2" blade fit the saw if I adjust the tensioning screw to make the blade fit securely? There seems to be quite a bit of adjustment in the tensioning screw.

Shopsmith specifies the blade be 72" +/- 1/2" in length. You should be fine with that blade. If not, I am sure there is someone local who can help you out.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun May 13, 2012 3:58 pm

SDSSmith wrote:Shopsmith specifies the blade be 72" +/- 1/2" in length. You should be fine with that blade. If not, I am sure there is someone local who can help you out.

The upper length limit would be the arm/wheel interfering. Same for the lower limit. Ends of tension adjusting screw also.

If it can be tensioned properly and tracks correctly, 'it fits'!:)

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun May 13, 2012 4:04 pm

SDSSmith wrote:Shopsmith specifies the blade be 72" +/- 1/2" in length. You should be fine with that blade. If not, I am sure there is someone local who can help you out.

Now THAT is a mystery!!!:D

rdewinter · Post by **rdewinter** » Sun May 13, 2012 10:13 pm

Thanks Rob,
I put on the 72 1/2" blade and it works fine. I have to play with the tension because I'm getting some ripples on the end of some scrap lumber