Bandsaw Blade

[sauk_98]

Here is a starnge question. I have a sears 12" bandsaw that is the twin of the Hitachi CB13F. The original blade leangth was 80" I added a six inch riser which should make the blade 92" So for giggles I took a piece of string around both wheels with the blade off and then measured the string and came up with 94". So the problem is which is correct? Do I order a 92" or a 94"?
Thanks

[poolhound]

did you ever try the same thing before you installed the riser?

[TB Roye]

I think I would try a 93 1/2" blade. That is a fairly common one. Go to HD and buy a cheap on and see if it fits. If it doesn't take it back for a refund.

Tom

[mpc]

Where did you have the blade tension set - that moves the upper wheel up/down a bit, changing the "measured" blade length.

Make sure you have the upper wheel closer to the bottom of its range rather than the top when you measure... otherwise you might not be able to tension that new blade. If your bandsaw is like mine - no spring in the tensioner setup, just the jackscrew - then don't lower it completely either; that way if a blade breaks you've got some room to snip out the damaged area and re-braze it which shortens the blade a bit.

mpc

[justaguy]

I had that saw before upgrading. When I ordered the riser kit it came with a 93.5 blade and that is what I used.