I'm a middle school teacher introducing woodworking to my students, but I'm having some trouble with my bandsaw. I bought it from Home Depot and I'm using a 3/8" blade to cut pine wood, putting in about 40 minutes of use each day, Monday through Friday. I have two main issues: first, even with the guide, the wood keeps getting pulled to the right. I checked the blade tension, and while it's a bit loose, I think it's acceptable. Second, the blade has stopped completely while a student was cutting, but when we pulled the wood back, it started up again. I'm wondering if the blade is worn out, even though I've only been using it for under a month. Any advice from experienced woodworkers? Also, could you recommend a good type of file for my students to use on their projects? Thanks a lot!
3 Answers
Blade drift can be managed by adjusting the blade so that it is set slightly forward of the crown on the upper wheel. Make sure the guide blocks are just touching the blade and adjust the thrust bearing so it’s close to the back of the blade. Check the teeth on the blade for sharpness too, as they need to be in good shape for effective cutting. A wider blade might help if you're ripping on it.
Make sure your fence is square, as an out-of-alignment fence can cause the motor to bog down and the blade to bind. If you can adjust the speed, using the highest setting often gives cleaner cuts, especially on hardwoods. Check the blade tension too; it should only move about 1/4 inch when pressed. If you're doing a lot of ripping, consider a wider blade like 3 or 4 TPI.
Check out videos by Alex Snodgrass for bandsaw setup and tuning – it’s a great starting point! You’re probably not far off, but something isn’t right if the blade is stopping like that. Those basics from the videos can help you get it dialed in and running smoothly.
Starting with a new blade might help too. It's possible that your current one is causing these issues.
And don’t forget to check the tension; a well-tuned blade will sound a specific way when plucked!