Bandsaw Blade Tracking Adjustments Etc.

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:37 pm

Unfortunately I don't have a second blade. I haven't noticed the blade twisting any where else, I have only seen it happen between the upper and lower guides.

if I put the dual bearings on the lower guide it seems to work just fine. it keeps the blade straight. but I can't imagine that doesn't really stress the blade out being pushed straight.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:48 pm

On one of the pictures, it looked to me as if the lower bearing was pushing the blade forward, causing it to twist. The blade should only lightly touch that bearing, not ride hard against it. Maybe you have an over-sized bearing?

Or was it just an optical illusion?

Gary

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 7:49 pm

it does look that way in real life as well but I can't adjust the bearing in or out.

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:07 pm

Is there any possibility that the lower backup bearing is the wrong diameter (maybe was replaced by previous owner with wrong size)?

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:11 pm

no I bought this new, and I just ordered new bearings from ss and put a new one in. at first it was making a screaming sound so I swapped it with the upper guide bearing as directed by ss.

and I bought the ss replacements. which are exactly the same bearing.

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:37 pm

You say you bought this new? How long ago?

I understand Shopsmith ships its new band saws with 1/4 inch wide blades standard. How did that 1/4 inch wide blade track when the saw was brand new? Did it skew?

If the band saw worked properly when brand new with a 1/4 inch blade, how long ago did you make the switch to the current blade (is it a Shopsmith blade?) and did you immediately have tracking problems when you installed it?

Al

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 8:55 pm

I have had his since 2008 and it has sat in my garage I bouht the 5/8 blade a mob ago and have had this issue since putting it on. I don't think the 1/4 blade has this issue if it does I can really tell I just adjust the fence to be on the same line.

algale · Post by **algale** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:17 pm

caleb wrote:I have had his since 2008 and it has sat in my garage I bouht the 5/8 blade a mob ago and have had this issue since putting it on. I don't think the 1/4 blade has this issue if it does I can really tell I just adjust the fence to be on the same line.

Caleb,

At the moment I'm out of ideas. However, I also bought a 5/8 blade from Shopsmith a month or so ago, but I haven't mounted it yet. I will do so tomorrow and see if my blade also wants to imitate Chubby Checker (do the twist) and report back.

Al

wlhayesmfs · Post by **wlhayesmfs** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:01 pm

On one of my Bandsaw I leave just the 5/8 saw blade and have never had a twisting issue. I have gotten three dfferent blads so far and no issue I would be looking at changing out the blade and seeing what happens. Just have to wait for a new 5/8 blade. You can alway use a spare blade and if it fixes the problem you win. If it doesn't something has to be wrong on the saw. Will look closer at mind to saws in the mornin and see what I see. One in the new band saw and one is older smaller table saw.

caleb · Post by **caleb** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:29 pm

Thank you guys so much. I will see If I can get a new blade from woodcraft tomorrow to test
See if it is any better.