Shopsmith Forums

Hi,
I am hoping someone can offer me some advice, I'm trying to split some 6" 4/4 alder on the bandsaw, but I seem to be having a terrible time with it. The top of the cut seems to do fine, but the blade will wander out the bottom of the piece eventually bogging the motor down and stopping the blade. I'm using cool blocks for blade guides and the tracking seems to behave itself normally. Unfortunately I dont have a set-up manual so I may have missed something in the setup that would cause these symtoms. I'm using a 1/4 inch blade with a little heavyer tension than called for. Any idea?
-chet

Chet

I would suggest that you use at least a 1/2" blade and even a 5/8" if you have one. I think the 1/4" is too narrow for doing re sawing. Also I would go at a slower speed because of the depth of material you are trying to cut and try not to force the wood into the blade, just slowly feed it. Just my opinion.

Get yourself a re-saw blade...

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... blades.htm

Use a 1/2" blade designed for resawing. Also, feed the wood slowly.

While on the subject...
I'm not fully sure since I don't change my blades often, but I think a tensioned-up 1/2" resaw blade makes the bandsaw "sing" more than a 1/4" blade. There is serious work going on. You'll hear this guy! But it is worth it for the sawing capacity.
From time to time it's good to check all Shopsmith bandsaw alignments. As a starting point, see if the upper wheel-axle has the slight cant which assists the bandsaw blade in auto-tracking. Then all the other alignments are done subsequently. If not familiar, we can refer you back to a few older posts on this subject.

Enjoy!

Thank you for all the responses, I'm happy to report that I have found the resolution to my delema. It appears that my guide roller had somehow rattled loose and was not doing its job....hence the poor cutting quality. Put her back together, made the proper adjustments and I'm back in business. I did also upgrade to a bit wider blade, which also helped. again, thanks for the help.
-chet