BS drift ... An authority

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 10:21 am

I remember some years ago a Forum member mentioned a magazine-article to the effect that bandsaw Drift need not be tolerated. Some folks laughed him off.

That article has come to my attention again, and the author knows a thing or two about large-scale woodworking as well as all types of saws:

Here's the recent interview with Carl Bilderback, a delight for woodworker tool enthusiasts:
http://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/09/20 ... its-place/

Here's the article he wrote on the bandsaw drift:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techn ... ift-a-myth

For my own part, my SS bandsaw has no drift that concerns me. I keep a good blade on it, don't abuse the blade with abrasive stuff like MDF, and just set the fence parallel to the stripes in the table.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 12:12 pm

Thank you for the links. The information provided was all very interesting.

However, most of what has written about bandsaw setup is NA for the Shopsmith. Furthermore, drift being a myth is dependent on what you are cutting and what you are cutting with. The most important item for successful bandsaw work is a sharp blade. My problem is that I try to make them last too long AND I cut a lot of MDF. MDF is a death toll for anything sharp.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Sep 22, 2014 2:31 am

nuhobby wrote: . . .

Here's the recent interview with Carl Bilderback, a delight for woodworker tool enthusiasts:
http://blog.lostartpress.com/2014/09/20/a-place-for-nothing-and-nothing-in-its-place/
. . .

Interesting planer therein!:)

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 3:13 pm

nuhobby wrote:I remember some years ago a Forum member mentioned a magazine-article to the effect that bandsaw Drift need not be tolerated. Some folks laughed him off....
For my own part, my SS bandsaw has no drift that concerns me. I keep a good blade on it, don't abuse the blade with abrasive stuff like MDF, and just set the fence parallel to the stripes in the table.

Likewise, I'm sure.
I was lucky to have read about intolerance of drift early on in my band saw experience. I've had to "alter" only two blades, slightly, out of a dozen and more, the in-tune saw either stays in-tune or is very easily reset, and I have no drift issues.

Now, off to your links (thanks!) to do some easy reading and compare notes...