Shopsmith Forums

I just completed the modifications to my bandsaw cover that will allow me to adjust the tension and see what I am doing. Much like what Ed said; fairly easy. As to why release tension - when I bought my SS used, the PO had left the bandsaw tensioned and when I first tried using it, my blades would walk right off the upper wheel. Couldn't figure out what was going on as the tension was set properly but after talking w/SS they suggested the problem came from the upper wheel being out of vertical alignment. By placing my hands at 12 and 6 o'clock and pulling out at 6 and pressing in at 12 I was able to get the blades to track normally. Since then, I always try to release the tension when I'm not using the bandsaw. Steve

I have owned my band saw about 26 yrs, and have never loosened the tension after use. The saw sat for several yrs with tension on the blade and when I used it for the first time after setting for so long, I noticed nothing unusual it cut great.

I suggest that you consider yourself lucky and at the same time strongly recommend that you consider relaxing blade tension in the future.

I am a retired toolmaker and have worked in shops for over 50yrs, and not one shop that I have worked in has ever released the tension on a band saw blade.

efmaron wrote:I am a retired toolmaker and have worked in shops for over 50yrs, and not one shop that I have worked in has ever released the tension on a band saw blade.

OKAY. I stand corrected then, efmaron. With that much experience if you don't feel a need to relax the tension I guess you don't need to relax the tension. Good luck in all your woodworking experiences.

Band saw blades do not take a set with or with out tension on them, if they did they would stay coiled the way they are when purchased in a package. Some blades may brake under tension but it is because the weld was of poor quality or the weld was not annealed properly. If the tension is set properly for that width blade and the saw is set up properly and if the drive and idler wheel are adjusted properly there is no reason to release the tension.

Eric is probably right about the blades; however my situation was due to the frame/upper axel of the bandsaw itself deflecting enough to allow the upper wheel to "bend" down slightly over time and therefore be out of vertical plumb with the drive wheel. The result was that it would throw the blade every time (even when changing to another blade). After talking w/the SS rep she diagnosed my problem immediately over the phone and suggested the fix that I described. It worked like a charm and now my bandsaw tracks like it should AND I release the tension when not using it. Maybe others haven't had to but this worked for me and I will continue to practice this "insurance". Steve

Due to the SS bandsaw's self-tracking system, leaving the tension on the blade is what causes the upper wheel to change alignment, as cityslicker2's did. This may not be the same on all bandsaws though.

I found that after I left the tension on my own SS bandsaw, the lower tire began to crack. I have not had this problem since I changed the tire and have been releasing the tension.

I have attended a couple of bandsaw-users classes at a Woodcraft Store and both instructors recommend releasing the tension.

Also, if you have noticed that most new models of bandsaws built by JET, Delta, etc., have included quick-release tension devices on their bandsaws, so I myself believe that there is something to this. Why else would they begin offering this, and also selling this type of system as an after-market accessory.

Everything I have read and learned about bandsaws has said you should release the tension at the end of the working day, and especially if you're not going to use the bandsaw for a while.

While this is all someone's opinion, I think it is better to take the advice from someone who has been woodworking with bandsaws a bit longer than I have and release the tension.

Isn't the bandsaw in a tool makers shop one of those giant DoAll 36" bandsaws that weighs several thousand pounds with a frame that is so massive that no amount of tension could change the alignment.

I think the problem from not releasing the tension is due to the Shopsmith bandsaw having to be light enough in weight that it can be lifted onto and off-of of the Shopsmith without a hoist.

For an article on realigning the Shopsmith bandsaw after leaving it under tension for too long see the Ask Smitty column in the July/August 2004 Hands On http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archive ... smitty.htm Caution: if you click on the link for the "Printer Friendly PDF Copy" the measurement given is wrong, the correct measurement is 1/8".