Jj

Jeff

20/01/2008 8:09 PM

Bandsaw blade drifts

I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
thoughts?

Jeff


This topic has 24 replies

Jj

Jeff

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 7:41 AM

On Jan 21, 9:47 am, "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> news:ed72a3e4-044f-4f01-9d74-b85645998493@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
> >I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> > input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> > some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> > starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> > it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> > change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> > cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> > thoughts?
>
> > Jeff
>
> Check all your adjustments and check in particular check where the blade is
> tracking on the wheels. If the blade tracks too far forward or back on the
> wheel it can drift more than normal. Running the saw can also decrease the
> tension on the blade and allow it to go off center and or drift.

I checked tracking. The blade is right in the center of the top and
bottom wheels.

JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 9:39 AM

Three most common causes of blade not tracking properly:

1. Blade too loose
2. Upper wheel not properly adjusted
3. Improperly adjusted blade support bearing

If none of those, then I'd try a new blade. Especially if it takes more
than normal effort to push the plywood through the blade when cutting..



"Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4275e869-e23d-4a8b-bcaa-fc2ebf962e1a@j20g2000hsi.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 21, 10:17 am, "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Jeff wrote:
>> > I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience
>> > for
>> > input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>> > some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>> > starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the
>> > blade,
>> > it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>> > change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>> > cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>> > thoughts?
>>
>> First, check the guides and make sure that they're at the proper
>> clearance--some saws have enough free movement that raising or
>> lowering the guides can put pressure on the blade.
>
> I don't think the guides moved. The blade is not touching them.
>
>> Second, were you sawing the same species before and after? My saw
>> tracks nice and straight in maple and walnut and douglas fir and
>> poplar but drifts all over the place in lyptus for example.
>
> I was sawing plywood templates before and after. (Well, after it was
> *attempts* at templates. The saw is currently unusable)
>

Jj

Jeff

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 6:57 PM

On Jan 20, 11:09 pm, Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> thoughts?
>
> Jeff

I changed the blade and my cuts were fine. Must've hit a stable.
There's probably a lesson here ... nah.

Jeff

md

mac davis

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 8:14 PM

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:57:27 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Jan 20, 11:09 pm, Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
>> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
>> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>> thoughts?
>>
>> Jeff
>
>I changed the blade and my cuts were fine. Must've hit a stable.
>There's probably a lesson here ... nah.
>
>Jeff

Never pass up an opportunity to buy a new tool..

There must be an expensive cardboard cutting system out there..

Someone gave me a box cutter with a light... like I'm gonna be out somewhere in
the dark cutting boxes open??

Makes as much sense as drive-up ATMs having the Braille on them..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Jj

Jeff

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 7:41 AM

On Jan 21, 10:17 am, "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Jeff wrote:
> > I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience
> > for
> > input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> > some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> > starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the
> > blade,
> > it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> > change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> > cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> > thoughts?
>
> First, check the guides and make sure that they're at the proper
> clearance--some saws have enough free movement that raising or
> lowering the guides can put pressure on the blade.

I don't think the guides moved. The blade is not touching them.

> Second, were you sawing the same species before and after? My saw
> tracks nice and straight in maple and walnut and douglas fir and
> poplar but drifts all over the place in lyptus for example.

I was sawing plywood templates before and after. (Well, after it was
*attempts* at templates. The saw is currently unusable)

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

22/01/2008 6:25 AM

mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:57:27 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]>
> wrote:

>>I changed the blade and my cuts were fine. Must've hit a stable.
>>There's probably a lesson here ... nah.
>>
>>Jeff
>
> Never pass up an opportunity to buy a new tool..
>
> There must be an expensive cardboard cutting system out there..

There is, it's called a "bandsaw." See how well it worked with the
cardboard? It wasn't until the guy hit a stable that the thing stopped
working. I'd stop working too if I hit a stable. Poor animals...

> Someone gave me a box cutter with a light... like I'm gonna be out
> somewhere in the dark cutting boxes open??

I'd prefer a lantern myself, but then again I don't go sneaking around at
night cutting boxes.

> Makes as much sense as drive-up ATMs having the Braille on them..
>

You can still walk up to them.

> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing

Ow. Ow. Ah... that's better.

Puckdropper
--
Marching to the beat of a different drum is great... unless you're in
marching band.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

22/01/2008 9:28 PM

mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:06:58 -0500, "Ken" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>don't rule out the cause ,to be the cardboard, it is very abrasive.
>>use a box knife next time.
>>
>>KK
>>
> Or a plasma cutter.. that might be cool... ;~)
>
>
> mac

How about a water jet?

Puckdropper
--
Marching to the beat of a different drum is great... unless you're in
marching band.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Pp

Puckdropper

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

23/01/2008 7:46 PM

mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> On 22 Jan 2008 21:28:47 GMT, Puckdropper <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>>mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
>>news:[email protected]:
>>
>>> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:06:58 -0500, "Ken" <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>>don't rule out the cause ,to be the cardboard, it is very abrasive.
>>>>use a box knife next time.
>>>>
>>>>KK
>>>>
>>> Or a plasma cutter.. that might be cool... ;~)
>>>
>>>
>>> mac
>>
>>How about a water jet?
>>
>>Puckdropper
>
> Hmmm... wouldn't you end up with soggy cardboard?
>
>
>
> mac

Not if you keep the stream of water tight enough. There just wouldn't
be time for the cardboard to get wet.

Puckdropper
--
Marching to the beat of a different drum is great... unless you're in
marching band.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

md

mac davis

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

20/01/2008 8:31 PM

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:09:56 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:

>I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
>input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
>it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>thoughts?
>
>Jeff

Jeff.. Unless you jammed the cardboard in a guide or something, I'd suspect the
blade, but I've never had one suddenly drift a lot.. it's usually a gradual
thing..

Check both wheels and all the guides for bits of cardboard and buy a box
cutter..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Nn

Nova

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 5:14 PM

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:09:56 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:

>I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
>input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
>it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>thoughts?

By chance did you happen to hit a staple while cutting up the cardboard?

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]

tt

tom

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 6:32 AM

On Jan 20, 9:09 pm, Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> thoughts?
>
> Jeff

Check tooth set? Tom

Kk

"Ken"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

22/01/2008 3:06 PM

don't rule out the cause ,to be the cardboard, it is very abrasive.
use a box knife next time.

KK



"Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:31db1ca9-0640-445e-b24a-54b2e03a2e87@d70g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 20, 11:09 pm, Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
>> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
>> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>> thoughts?
>>
>> Jeff
>
> I changed the blade and my cuts were fine. Must've hit a stable.
> There's probably a lesson here ... nah.
>
> Jeff

JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 10:27 AM

Yes.. Good luck..


"Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:f4b45737-d399-4135-bfdb-02dead39d177@m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 21, 12:39 pm, "Jim Hall" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>> Three most common causes of blade not tracking properly:
>>
>> 1. Blade too loose
>> 2. Upper wheel not properly adjusted
>> 3. Improperly adjusted blade support bearing
>
> I don't know this term: "blade support bearing" do you mean the thrust
> bearing, i.e., the bearing behind the blade?
>
>
>> If none of those, then I'd try a new blade. Especially if it takes more
>> than normal effort to push the plywood through the blade when cutting..
>>
>
>

SI

Smaug Ichorfang

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

22/01/2008 10:43 AM

Puckdropper <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

>
> There is, it's called a "bandsaw." See how well it worked with the
> cardboard?
>
What, you're supposed to cut bands with it? Actually, very specialized
bandsaws are used in commercial bakeries to slice bread just before its
bagged up. And you know they're used in butcher shops too.

NH

N Hurst

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

23/01/2008 12:21 PM

On Jan 21, 11:14 pm, mac davis <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:57:27 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
> >On Jan 20, 11:09 pm, Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> >> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> >> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> >> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> >> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> >> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> >> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> >> thoughts?
>
> >> Jeff
>
> >I changed the blade and my cuts were fine. Must've hit a stable.
> >There's probably a lesson here ... nah.
>
> >Jeff
>
> Never pass up an opportunity to buy a new tool..
>
> There must be an expensive cardboard cutting system out there..
>
> Someone gave me a box cutter with a light... like I'm gonna be out somewhere in
> the dark cutting boxes open??
>
> Makes as much sense as drive-up ATMs having the Braille on them..
>
> mac
>
> Please remove splinters before emailing

I've always had the "drive up ATMs with Braille" thing explained to me
as being for blind people who are riding in taxis or being driven
around. They shouldn't be expected to just give their card and PIN to
some random person, so they just ride in the back behind the driver
and do their thing like any other passenger.

-Nathan

Jj

Jeff

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 10:18 AM

On Jan 21, 12:39 pm, "Jim Hall" <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Three most common causes of blade not tracking properly:
>
> 1. Blade too loose
> 2. Upper wheel not properly adjusted
> 3. Improperly adjusted blade support bearing

I don't know this term: "blade support bearing" do you mean the thrust
bearing, i.e., the bearing behind the blade?


> If none of those, then I'd try a new blade. Especially if it takes more
> than normal effort to push the plywood through the blade when cutting..
>

Jj

Jeff

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 9:36 AM

On Jan 21, 12:14 pm, Nova <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:09:56 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
> >I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> >input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> >some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> >starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> >it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> >change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> >cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> >thoughts?
>
> By chance did you happen to hit a staple while cutting up the cardboard?
>

I thought I was careful but I'm beginning to think I did hit a staple.
Let's put it this way: If it's not the blade, then I have NO IDEA how
to correct this problem. Everything else seems fine.

Lr

"Leon"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 8:47 AM


"Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:ed72a3e4-044f-4f01-9d74-b85645998493@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> thoughts?
>
> Jeff

Check all your adjustments and check in particular check where the blade is
tracking on the wheels. If the blade tracks too far forward or back on the
wheel it can drift more than normal. Running the saw can also decrease the
tension on the blade and allow it to go off center and or drift.

JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 10:17 AM

Jeff wrote:
> I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience
> for
> input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
> some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
> starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the
> blade,
> it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
> change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
> cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
> thoughts?

First, check the guides and make sure that they're at the proper
clearance--some saws have enough free movement that raising or
lowering the guides can put pressure on the blade.

Second, were you sawing the same species before and after? My saw
tracks nice and straight in maple and walnut and douglas fir and
poplar but drifts all over the place in lyptus for example.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

mm

mapdude

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

23/01/2008 6:37 PM

Or braille on the emergency door of an airplane....



>> Makes as much sense as drive-up ATMs having the Braille on them..
>>

JH

"Jim Hall"

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 10:55 AM

It's the weird name Delta uses in its owner's manual.. Those were the three
causes, it listed and what I've gone by in the past..

"Jim Hall" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Yes.. Good luck..
>
>
> "Jeff" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:f4b45737-d399-4135-bfdb-02dead39d177@m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jan 21, 12:39 pm, "Jim Hall" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>> Three most common causes of blade not tracking properly:
>>>
>>> 1. Blade too loose
>>> 2. Upper wheel not properly adjusted
>>> 3. Improperly adjusted blade support bearing
>>
>> I don't know this term: "blade support bearing" do you mean the thrust
>> bearing, i.e., the bearing behind the blade?
>>
>>
>>> If none of those, then I'd try a new blade. Especially if it takes more
>>> than normal effort to push the plywood through the blade when cutting..
>>>
>>
>>
>

md

mac davis

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

23/01/2008 8:51 AM

On 22 Jan 2008 21:28:47 GMT, Puckdropper <[email protected]> wrote:

>mac davis <[email protected]> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:06:58 -0500, "Ken" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>don't rule out the cause ,to be the cardboard, it is very abrasive.
>>>use a box knife next time.
>>>
>>>KK
>>>
>> Or a plasma cutter.. that might be cool... ;~)
>>
>>
>> mac
>
>How about a water jet?
>
>Puckdropper

Hmmm... wouldn't you end up with soggy cardboard?



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

md

mac davis

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

21/01/2008 10:12 AM

On Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:36:15 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Jan 21, 12:14 pm, Nova <[email protected]> wrote:
>> On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:09:56 -0800 (PST), Jeff <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >I suspect I need a new blade but I figured I'd post my experience for
>> >input. This morning my bandsaw blade was tracking fine. Later I cut
>> >some cardboard for the trash. Immediately after that, my blade
>> >starting drifting to the right. The second I touch wood to the blade,
>> >it starts to drift. Generally this is a sign of a bad blade but the
>> >change in behavior was immediate and I'm hard pressed to think that
>> >cardboard damaged the blade. It appears to be properly aligned. Any
>> >thoughts?
>>
>> By chance did you happen to hit a staple while cutting up the cardboard?
>>
>
>I thought I was careful but I'm beginning to think I did hit a staple.
>Let's put it this way: If it's not the blade, then I have NO IDEA how
>to correct this problem. Everything else seems fine.

In that case, I'd change the blade before changing a lot of setting on the saw..

Sort of like having a computer problem and reformatting your drive to try
solving it.. might have just been one little setting or something and it could
have been corrected without drastic methods..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

md

mac davis

in reply to Jeff on 20/01/2008 8:09 PM

22/01/2008 12:43 PM

On Tue, 22 Jan 2008 15:06:58 -0500, "Ken" <[email protected]> wrote:

>don't rule out the cause ,to be the cardboard, it is very abrasive.
>use a box knife next time.
>
>KK
>
Or a plasma cutter.. that might be cool... ;~)


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing


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