Bandsaw alignment problems

[sawdust271]

De-lurking here.

I almost never use my SS Bandsaw for resawing, but the need arose the other day and I got out the fence and went through the fence alignment procedure as outlined in the booklet that came with the bandsaw. I first made sure the table alignment to the blade was correct.

The fence doesn't seem to work right: no matter how I set it, when I turn the handle to lock it in place, the "unconnected" end rises up in the air about 1/4 inch. I've attached some photos to illustrate.

And no matter what I do with the fence alignment procedure, it just doesn't result in a good alignment - at best, it's still considerably off. The photo shows the rather extreme angle at a setting that's still not even close to being straight.

The setscrews on the fence are backed off completely.

Ideas on how to go about fixing this?

TIA!

[JPG]

Completely remove those set screws and store them for the rainy day in January that you may 'think' you need to skew the fence.

Now the fence is attached to the casting and secured by two large screws with hex heads(about 1/2" across flats).

Loosen the screws and the fence is movable separate from the casting.

Snug the inner screw and clamp the fence to the table. Rotate the fence until it is parallel with the miter gauge slots. Tighten the outer screw. Recheck for parallel. Tighten the inner screw. Recheck for parallel. Remove from table and really tighten the screws. Clamp fence to table and 'recheck for parallel'. Repeat if necessary!:D

As for the far end raising, not much to be done there other than making sure there are no burrs etc. on the clamp and the rail. It is possible the rail is 'cocked' to the table bottom or the rail bent, or the fence bent or it is just a matter of build up of tolerances. IMHO if no burrs or cocking, it is of minimal concern.

DE NADA!

[nuhobby]

De-lurking here.

The fence doesn't seem to work right: no matter how I set it, when I turn the handle to lock it in place, the "unconnected" end rises up in the air about 1/4 inch. I've attached some photos to illustrate.

TIA!

Just curious, have you removed something from the end of the fence where the hollow aluminum extrusion is visible? Mine has another clamp-set to grip the table there.... I cannot see the innards of the extrusion.

[JPG]

Just curious, have you removed something from the end of the fence where the hollow aluminum extrusion is visible? Mine has another clamp-set to grip the table there.... I cannot see the innards of the extrusion.

There are three versions of the bandsaw fence.

His is the earliest version with only the railing clamp.

The latter two have a clamp at that 'open' end.

The latest is like the 500 fence update which is a 500/510 mutation.

[SDSSmith]

De-lurking here.

I almost never use my SS Bandsaw for resawing, but the need arose the other day and I got out the fence and went through the fence alignment procedure as outlined in the booklet that came with the bandsaw. I first made sure the table alignment to the blade was correct.

The fence doesn't seem to work right: no matter how I set it, when I turn the handle to lock it in place, the "unconnected" end rises up in the air about 1/4 inch. I've attached some photos to illustrate.

And no matter what I do with the fence alignment procedure, it just doesn't result in a good alignment - at best, it's still considerably off. The photo shows the rather extreme angle at a setting that's still not even close to being straight.

The setscrews on the fence are backed off completely.

Ideas on how to go about fixing this?

TIA!

You use the setscrews in the fence to adjust it for blade drift. If you are going to use the bandsaw fence for resawing you will want to make the blade drift adjustment.

Regarding the free end of the fence lifting, I do not recall that style fence lifting that much and I have had a number of them. You might check that the fence is attached to fence base properly. If you have the clearance under the fence at the fence base end, you might try shimmimg between the fence rail and the table.

[sawdust271]

After some experimenting with the disassembled fence, it became apparent to me that the clamping "foot" was not properly aligned in the fence assembly. It seems that the metal spline that holds the foot in place had shifted slightly in it's hole, allowing the foot to become misaligned. I just took one of my SS allen wrenches and gently tapped the spline back into place.

I then realigned the fence as suggested by JPG40504 - success!

I also found and replaced the little black plastic insert that fits in the free end of the fence. I don't think it serves any purpose other than cosmetic - but it does fall off every time I remove the fence.

I think all is well, now. I didn't get a chance to test the newly-aligned fence yet, but will report back after I've had a chance to use it.

Thanks again to all for their advice!

[JPG]

After some experimenting with the disassembled fence, it became apparent to me that the clamping "foot" was not properly aligned in the fence assembly. It seems that the metal spline that holds the foot in place had shifted slightly in it's hole, allowing the foot to become misaligned. I just took one of my SS allen wrenches and gently tapped the spline back into place.

I then realigned the fence as suggested by JPG40504 - success!

I also found and replaced the little black plastic insert that fits in the free end of the fence. I don't think it serves any purpose other than cosmetic - but it does fall off every time I remove the fence.

I think all is well, now. I didn't get a chance to test the newly-aligned fence yet, but will report back after I've had a chance to use it.

Thanks again to all for their advice!

THAT caused the free end to raise? Whoda thunk that?:eek:

Great to hear all is now well!!!!:)



BTW that 'spline' is a 'tension' pin.

[sawdust271]

A tension pin?

It looks like a pretty ordinary thing - but I guess its position is kind of important... easy to overlook, that's for sure.

[JPG]

A tension pin?

It looks like a pretty ordinary thing - but I guess its position is kind of important... easy to overlook, that's for sure.

Tension pin: Previous designs were 'roll' pins which were named for their obvious similarity to a rolled piece of spring steel.

Roll pin: That earlier design.

Spring pin: All of the above.


Yes that smaller than a full circle cylindrical shaped pin is a spring. As it is wedged into a hole smaller than its 'relaxed' od, the cylinder becomes smaller as the 'ends' inside the groove move towards each other.

On the BS fence(and elsewhere) the clamp has a larger od so it can rotate freely on the pin. The smaller holes in the fence sides provides a tight fit for the pin and the 'spring tension' secures it. BTE that tension is considerable. Try squeezing one!:D

Ordinary? The devil is in the details. See above.

P.S. If that clamp is not positioned correctly, it clamps the wrong direction.