band saw set-up demystified

[Jerry Bailey]

this link was posted @ Segmented Woodturners, thought it prudent enough to repost here
took a look thru past posts and didn't see it, so hopefully it'll nudge some people to take 5 minutes and do it right
Have worked with a band saw for 30+ years and IMHO this video is invaluable, and will save you sanding time down the road
(many thanks to Stuart @ Segmented for the original post/link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

It works

I changed to this method almost a year ago. My saw GO555 strains less and cuts much better. Even though my blade is not new it cuts good (could be better if new and sharppppp). Oh, and my blades are lasting longer.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Thanks. I have two books, an article in FWW, and this video and each says to do things in a different way.

At one time many years ago, I was on the coplanar bandwagon, but after a while, I figured out that it didn't seem to have any tangible benefit and besides you can spend all your time making sure that everything is coplanar and not have time for cutting wood. Most of the 14 inch Delta class bandsaws and smaller have different degrees of flex with different width blades so it turns into a big mess trying to keep things coplanar under all conditions. He didn't discuss cool blocks because they aren't in the Carter line, but I really like them. Even better is that you can substitute an oily tropical wood for the cool blocks and the cost is essentially zero. I use zero clearance wood side guides and the blades run very cool. There are some other tricks including coating the blade with PAM and using a stone to round over the sharp corners on the back edges of the blade. Also a blade cuts better if the teeth aren't upside down -- did that once.

 

[Jerry Bailey]

LOL Bill, I have a bunch of turning training dvd's with the same exact problem, now you know how I feel
no wonder I was so confused
Thank goodness Jimmy set me straight ........

I actually like the bearings better than the blocks I used to have
have a Powermatic like the guy that's doing the set-up in the vid
set mine up the same way and I'm cutting 6" tall wood, veneer thin, repeatedly, with no issues............

 

[robo hippy]

I am not sure if I learned anything that I hadn't figured out already, but will give this a big two thumbs up. I guess part two of this should be on blades.

robo hippy

 

[Jerry Bailey]

yup robo, you're correct
doesn't matter at all how well you have machine set up if you're using crap blades
a quality blade will make all the difference in the world.