Release The Tension

2centsworth · Post by **2centsworth** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:38 am

Was reading in the Wood Special Interest Publication for 2013 that to help both the saw blade and bandsaw you should release the tension if your bandsaw will sit unused for more then a day. Makes sense but I have never done that in over 30 years. Have / Do you ?

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:42 am

Always do.

albie · Post by **albie** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:45 am

I do, if the blade is wider than 1/4 inch. Otherwise I don't, and leave it.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 8:52 am

No, not on any bandsaw I have ever owned including my large bandsaw sawmill I used to own. The single exception to that is the smaller Woodmizer bandsaw mill I own now and that is because you just flip a lever to do it and the drive tire is also the drive belt which is not tightly attached to the wheel.
Now if my SS bandsaw had the access hole for the wrench and the window to see the tension gauge I would probably loosen it some. I may get around to adding them someday but I never have any problems so it is not a big hurry job.

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reddog5362 · Post by **reddog5362** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:22 am

My standalone bandsaw has a lever to release the tension. I try to do it every time. Of course you have to remember to put it back under tension

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:32 am

I have made it a practice for the last 10-15 years. Before that I left the tension on.

Drilled a hole in the cover that made it simple to do. Since then I have installed a view port on the front cover so I can re-tension the blade without having to remove the cover.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:33 am

reddog5362 wrote:My standalone bandsaw has a lever to release the tension. I try to do it every time. Of course you have to remember to put it back under tension

Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Learned to release tension here. Makes sense with all the cant issues that keep occurring.

I think it also helps prevent a groove compressing into the tire.

Always? Of course(when I remember).

No window, but hole added to allow adjusting with cover on. 1/8" blade size/revolution. i.e. 1/4" blade, two turns, 1/2" blade 4 turns. To release tension, same number of turns. Remove and verify tension occasionally.

Went a long time with constant tension before getting 'educated' though.

I have only seen this recommendation one other time with a different bandsaw.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:44 am

I have two Shopsmith band saws and both are tensioned. I seldom release the tension unless I am changing blades.

The canting issue with the upper wheel has been discussed here on the forum in great detail. From these discussions I have concluded that if you have a tracking problem, it may be caused by the upper wheel being improperly canted which could be the result of tension on the blade.

Since I do not have a tracking problem, I do not believe that leaving the blades tensioned is causing anything to worry about.

db5 · Post by **db5** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:45 am

JPG40504 wrote:No window, but hole added to allow adjusting with cover on. 1/8" blade size/revolution. i.e. 1/4" blade, two turns, 1/2" blade 4 turns. To release tension, same number of turns. Remove and verify tension occasionally.

Same solution I have used for years. I suspect many users who can count to 4 do this. Of course in your solution one must also be able to multiply. I didn't get that complicated.

shipwright · Post by **shipwright** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:56 am

Nope. In 40-odd years of bandsaws in industrial and home shops I never have. The biggest I have had was a 1600 lb., 36" Crescent and the smallest was a little table top three wheeler. To the best of my knowledge none of them ever suffered from it. I admit it sounds plausible that it would be beneficial but at my age, if I start loosening now, you can be very sure I'm going to forget to tighten sooner or later and I don't like the sound of that so I guess I will remain in the "no" community.