Shopsmith Forums

I know there's a cover(presently on sale) for the bandsaw that has the window as well as the tension hole, but has anyone done it to their own cover? If so, any tips or tricks?

-Tim

tim
I have done it and it is no big deal. I used a dremel tool to cut the opening. If I was going to do it again I would probably use a sabre saw. Cut a piece of plexiglass to fit the opening and glued it in. Simply drilled a hole to insert the allen wrench to adjust tension. Drill the hole first it will give you a good alignment to layout the opening.
Ed

I have a question. What advantage does the window give you? I understand it will let you see the gage to tension the blade but would you not have the cover off anyway changing the blade? I guess it would help if you release the tension on the blade between use.

I have not put the window in the cover yet, but I have drilled the hole for adjusting the tension. When I am done using the saw I loosen the blade by turning the hex key 3 complete turns. I retighten before using. Works for me.

I am so fortunate. I was about to make this modification and now I'm going to wait for the pros and cons.

Even the simplest question can be important during a decision making process.

cincinnati wrote:I have a question. What advantage does the window give you? I understand it will let you see the gage to tension the blade but would you not have the cover off anyway changing the blade? I guess it would help if you release the tension on the blade between use.

Yup..that's the drift of it....

Doc

I wanted to be able to remove tension for storage and I have problems remembering to my name let alone how many turns I loosened it last time.

Seriously, I really never thought of just loosening it a set number of turns.
But then again since I now loosen it I have two things to keep me busy. First I now forget to tighten it. Actually cuts better completely loose and I have no idea how or why. And the second is to loosen it before I put it away. I think it is stored right now tighten.

I have made two stickers that I put on my band saw one says tighten the blade before use and the other loosen the blade before storage. I have successfully been able to ignore both of them so they are working like most other warning stickers.
Ed

Is there a real problem of not releasing the tension on the blade. I never have in years and never a problem (or so I think not)

Ed in Tampa wrote:....I have made two stickers that I put on my band saw one says tighten the blade before use and the other loosen the blade before storage. I have successfully been able to ignore both of them so they are working like most other warning stickers.
Ed

Don't believe in signs huh? How about this one - 35 MPH ?

charlese wrote:Don't believe in signs huh? How about this one - 35 MPH ?

Okay who ratted me out? I was sure nobody knew about that little incident but me.

Charlese I do believe in signs, it is they just sort of fade into the background after a while and I never remember to read them.
Ed