Timber Wolf Blade Tension

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rlkeeney
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Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by rlkeeney »

After reading the instructions that came with my new Timber Wolf blade

http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/six-rul ... awing.html

I went to the shop and backed the tension off my newly installed blade Thinking that I need to modify the cover before I could set it up as per their recommendations. I backed off the tension until the blade was loose and then lightly snugged it up until I was sure it would not come off.

A few days latter I wanted to test my new magnetic fence. I forgot I had detensioned the blade. I sliced up some 2x into 1/8 thick pieces. Not a problem at all. It cut as smooth as I have ever seen on my saw. I didn't remember until I removed the cover to clean out the saw.
Band Saw Tension Setting
Band Saw Tension Setting
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charlese
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by charlese »

Very interesting set of "Six Bandsaw Rules" from Timber Wolf.

Some of the rules apply to sawmills, using 8" and wider blades, but is very informative on bandsaw construction and performance.

At this time I cannot explain your experience of sawing without tension except to say you have a very sharp blade.
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rlkeeney
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by rlkeeney »

ERLover
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by ERLover »

Good tires? Smaller then advertised blade? Inaccurate blade guide in the BS?
How was the drift on the cuts?
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JPG
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by JPG »

If the indicator plate is adjusted properly, you did NOT have the tension completely removed.
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by ERLover »

I am too late to find the video on blade tension, but with the guides all the way up, a light tap with your Index Finger, the blade moves about an 1/8th inch, you will know when and what is the right tension, tighter is better.
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The Greatness officially starts :D :D :D :D :D :D
Greenie, Grayling, SS stand alone BS and BS SPT, jointer and belt sander, 3 Ers with Speed Changers. I think those 3 cover my ER needs, and space for them. :)
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JPG
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by JPG »

ERLover wrote:I am too late to find the video on blade tension, but with the guides all the way up, a light tap with your Index Finger, the blade moves about an 1/8th inch, you will know when and what is the right tension, tighter is better.
Go read the link in the first post.
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
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rlkeeney
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by rlkeeney »

ERLover wrote:Good tires? Smaller then advertised blade? Inaccurate blade guide in the BS?
How was the drift on the cuts?
1982 tires.

Blade seems to be normal size.

Saw guides have new cool blocks.

Guides are as near perfectly aligned as I could get them.


I don't see this as a problem but a testimony to how good the blade is.
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rlkeeney
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by rlkeeney »

JPG wrote:If the indicator plate is adjusted properly, you did NOT have the tension completely removed.
If you look at the saw blade in the photo you will see that the blade is touching the end of the tensioner. I didn't use the indicator. I backed it off untill the blade started to come off and the tensioned it just enough to hold it in place.

Everything in the saw top to bottom recently (just before this blade was installed) gone through checked and adjusted if needed.
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rlkeeney
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Re: Timber Wolf Blade Tension

Post by rlkeeney »

ERLover wrote: tighter is better.
Timber Wolf doesn't think so,

"We manufacture a very special series of LOW TENSION, HIGH DUCTILE, SILICON STEEL BAND SAW BLADES for wood cutters and sawyers. At the present time from 1/8″ through 2″. Our blades run purposely with 35% to 50% less tension than our competitors carbon blades. Being very stable at low tension, over 70% of the rotation fatigue effect is eliminated, increasing blade body life(flex life) dramatically, and 20% LESS HORSEPOWER IS REQUIRED. Please read “THE 6 RULES OF SAWING” for proper tensioning."

How to tension a Timber Wolf blade:
http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/six-rul ... awing.html
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