Shopsmith Forums

When opening a new band saw blade, I have long been in the habit of letting it spring open by removing the twist ties and just letting go of it a few inches above the floor of my shop. I think Nick demonstrated this technique and it has never given me a problem.

Yesterday, however, I opened a brand new Shopsmith 3/8" band saw blade in my usual way and mounted it. Tensioned it up and tried to cut with it. Dull. Burning. Then I noticed it: the teeth were oriented facing "up" where the blade went through the table insert. It would have been very obvious with a blade with larger teeth.

I'd never seen or heard of a band saw blade mounted with its teeth facing up. In fact, I didn't think it was possible. I puzzled it for a few minutes and then it occurred to me: when the blade sprung open, it must have twisted itself inside out! I removed the blade, twisted it back the other way, remounted it and went about my business.

Anyone ever experience this?

I have not experienced that. However, I would think one would have to make a conscious effort to turn a blade inside out. In other words it couldn't (shouldn't) happen during packaging. I wonder if it was turned the wrong way (unnoticed) when welded and then just got coiled and packaged.

I think by letting it 'uncoil' itself, the possibility of becoming 'inside out' is possible.

I remember one popping out like that but I think it was one I twisted into a figure 8 myself. It was a pretty narrow blade and I think I caught it when I tried to mount it. I have mounted a chainsaw chain backwards. It cut like a dull chain and it got very hot and the bar oil started smoking.

algale wrote: ↑Mon Oct 03, 2022 10:01 pm When opening a new band saw blade, I have long been in the habit of letting it spring open by removing the twist ties and just letting go of it a few inches above the floor of my shop. I think Nick demonstrated this technique and it has never given me a problem.

Yesterday, however, I opened a brand new Shopsmith 3/8" band saw blade in my usual way and mounted it. Tensioned it up and tried to cut with it. Dull. Burning. Then I noticed it: the teeth were oriented facing "up" where the blade went through the table insert. It would have been very obvious with a blade with larger teeth.

I'd never seen or heard of a band saw blade mounted with its teeth facing up. In fact, I didn't think it was possible. I puzzled it for a few minutes and then it occurred to me: when the blade sprung open, it must have twisted itself inside out! I removed the blade, twisted it back the other way, remounted it and went about my business.

Anyone ever experience this?

YES

Glad to know it isn't just me!

Yes, I had it happen once.

I have heard of this before But I have never experienced it. So I tried to turn a blade inside out and all I succeeded in doing is cutting my fingers.
Bill V

BillVan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 7:48 pm I have heard of this before But I have never experienced it. So I tried to turn a blade inside out and all I succeeded in doing is cutting my fingers.
Bill V

Sorry about that Bill!

BillVan wrote: ↑Thu Oct 06, 2022 7:48 pm " all I succeeded in doing is cutting my fingers. "
Bill V

That's why I wear leather gloves when I'm coiling up a blade.