SS Band saw table problem

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:23 pm

I think my table is off kilter and has always been so.
I can easily square the table to the blade left and right. I cannot seem to find a way to adjust it front to back. When a square is placed on the back side of the blade (any blade) it's obvious that the blade tilts backward. That is, the portion of the blade closest to the table, always contacts the stock first.
I've known about this problem for years and it hasn't made too much of a difference until now.
I'm cutting curves in 5 1/4 thick stock for band saw boxes. As you can imagine, the blade/table misalignment cuts at a slight angle around curves. The "bottom" is either wider or narrower, depending on the cut direction.
Can anyone please help me get the table square in both directions?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:37 pm

I'll have to get to a band saw to make sure, Gene, but I believe that I used a set of washers under the table on all but one of the mounting screws in order to level the table in all directions.

How far is the table out of square with the blade?

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 5:55 pm

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that it was designed that way?

eagleta2 · Post by **eagleta2** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:03 pm

I had the same problem on mine... The Vanessa blade would enter the work on the bottom of the wood first....I had to shim my table square quite a bit...but it got there...

Hope this helps
Geo

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 6:55 pm

Thanks for the replies guys.
Guess I'll tear off the table tomorrow.
It's just the four bolts on the trunnions, right?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:27 pm

FWIW the manual says it is intentional, but if a problem with thick stock, to shim the table. Remember we do have canted wheels.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Thu Feb 02, 2012 9:20 pm

I had the same problem. I shimmed the table.
Bill V

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:15 pm

[quote="JPG40504"]FWIW the manual says it is intentional, but if a problem with thick stock, to shim the table. Remember we do have canted wheels.]

I thought the manual said that. I hunted through my digital archive last night and could only find where I had scanned the exploded view and parts list from the manual. I didn't make it out to the shop to look through the full paper (original) manual.

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:02 pm

I'm bad! I lost my manual 30 years ago. I do remember a mention about the "canted" blade, now that you guys mention it.
I have a big sack of washers. I've tried several combos. Either too thick or too thin. I just came in the house and cut up a Cool Whip lid. I hope it works in combo with a washer. This is the fourth attempt.
The light is bad and I can't get my trifocals focused with my head upside down. This is a real PITA job. But once it's done, I shouldn't need to touch those *&%# bolts again.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:22 pm

Gene Howe wrote:I'm bad! I lost my manual 30 years ago. I do remember a mention about the "canted" blade, now that you guys mention it.
I have a big sack of washers. I've tried several combos. Either too thick or too thin. I just came in the house and cut up a Cool Whip lid. I hope it works in combo with a washer. This is the fourth attempt.
The light is bad and I can't get my trifocals focused with my head upside down. This is a real PITA job. But once it's done, I shouldn't need to touch those *&%# bolts again.

Thought about standing the band saw on it's head?:rolleyes: