Cleaning bandsaw blade

[hfmann]

Yikes! Can't believe a few cuts on the bandsaw making some bowl blanks from spalted Maple and big time blade clogging. Any ideas on fast and efficient cleaning techniques.

Never expected maple to produce this.

thanks,

hal

[beeg]

While it's on the BS, hold a brass brush up against i. Manually turn it.

[edma194]

Rotate the blade in reverse with a brush also. Disconnect the band saw from the headstock of course. You can open up the saw to rotate the wheels by the spokes.

[bainin]

I usually use a stiff brush while hand turning the blade backward (mounted in bandsaw) on both sides.

Then I put some bit/blade cleaner on a rag and do the same thing.

b

[hfmann]

Wow. Never thought about using a brush and moving the blade in reverse. Thanks all. Sounds easy!

[Hobbyman2]

From the picture the top tooth looks like it is chipped ??, do you wax the blade ?

[hfmann]

From the picture the top tooth looks like it is chipped ??, do you wax the blade ?

hmm - fairly new blade and it hasn't hit any metal so i'm surprised if it is chipped. WAX? No, but is that a good thing to do?

thanks,

[bainin]

Interesting Hobbyman -

What kind of wax do you use for this ? Paste Wax or Paraffin?

I am always worried that any excess cleaner fluid/etc will get on the wheels (the rubber part) and cause slippage or even start dissolving the rubber material...but Id like to hear your thoughts. Also-would wax on the blade put you into trouble that residue would be left behind on your fresh cut surfaces possibly inhibiting staining/clear coat etc?


b

[edma194]

I don't wax bandsaw blades or put anything else on them. They just pick up more dust and dirt that way, and then deposit it along with the lubricant on the wheels. Wax won't stay dry because the blades get hot in operation.

Maybe brushes mounted on the guide assemblies would help clear the blades.

[Hobbyman2]

I don't wax bandsaw blades or put anything else on them. They just pick up more dust and dirt that way, and then deposit it along with the lubricant on the wheels. Wax won't stay dry because the blades get hot in operation.

Maybe brushes mounted on the guide assemblies would help clear the blades.

==============

I dont personally use any wax on my bandsaw blades , I tried it once and the wax got hot , stuck to the blade and gummed everything up and burnt the wood , I use light weight oil , years ago I wrapped a bunch or rags as tight as I could and mashed em into a small can put oil on them and I use it on all of my saws and planes , I believe I seen it on a video from Paul Sellers , before that I just used a rag with oil, The picture of the blade above peaked my curiosity if wax had been applied , I see a few videos on Youtube of using paraffin or bees wax , it never worked out well for me .. keeping them clean from Pitch using a good solvent is IMO the best method of taking care of them. JMO