JET bandsaw tension release

[jonmulzer]

Is Carter my only choice here? No doubt that what they make is high quality, but I don't think it is $150 worth. I really hate to pay that kind of money for something so simple. I have heard of people adapting the Grizzly tension release from the G0555 to the HF, does that work for other models? Do I have any other options to consider?

[LCHIEN]

Is Carter my only choice here? No doubt that what they make is high quality, but I don't think it is $150 worth. I really hate to pay that kind of money for something so simple. ...

especially if you only paid $100 for the saw, eh?

[Stan]

I did the 'order the parts for the G0555 from Grizzly' and put them on my Jet JWBS-14.

Popeye documented the mod on his HF 14 bandsaw (the frames are virtually identical -- we got together and compared measurements between the HF and Jet) here... http://bt3gallery.cpu-etc.com/main.php?g2_itemId=1685

The information on the parts needed is buried in the forums here, try the following link: Be sure to read through the entire thread as there was a change in part numbers after some initial orders were made.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...tension&page=2

I believe total parts from Grizzly came to around $30 including shipping.

Hope that helps.

[luteman]

I have had my Craftsman band saw(made by King-Seely) for 40 years and have never had to release the tension except to change blades. It tracks perfectly every time I turn it on. My only add-on has been the excellent Kreg precision fence and resaw guide. I think tension release gizmos are the result of heavy hype by one or two bandsaw gurus.

[jonmulzer]

While I appreciate your input, tension releases just make sense to me. It is not good on the tension spring to be compressed 24/7/365 and the same goes for the blade. The bandsaw I have now is worlds ahead of the 10" Ryobi I put on craigslist last night, but even it shows stretch in the blade if I forget to release the tension. For $30, I will go for it.

And Loring, you are right. If I had paid $400 for it I would not have thought twice about adding Carter tension release and probably roller guides. Since I paid $100, I am going as cheap as I can! I stopped by Woodcraft the other day and picked up Cool Blocks, urethane tires (the ones on it are SHOT!) and a couple of other odds and ends and it came up to $120. More than I bought it for! And I still need to get a rip fence for it. Is KREG the best there is or would the JET that came optional on this saw be a better choice?

[LCHIEN]

I have the early Mark Duginske fence which is now the Kreg BS fence with a few positive changes. I like it but never used another for comparison but I think its better than the optional OEM fences. It has the micro adjust which is nice and some resawing curved fence attachments. There goes another $100-125 on your $100 bandsaw!

[Charlie]

Deleted by me.

[jonmulzer]

I believe in detensioning the blade, especially on a JET 14" bandsaw. I learned that lesson a couple years ago after leaving a tensioned 3/4" blade in it over the winter.

Well, don't leave us hanging. What were the results? :P

[Charlie]

Deleted by me.

[toolguy1000]

this seems like a good place to ask this question: anyone have any ideas about a tension quick release for this jet bandsaw which i purchased used 2 weeks ago- model jwbs-18, stock no. 708750B ( here is a link to the owners manual: http://www.misgroupinc.com/partfiles/man_708750B.pdf) i've written to jet but am not too hopeful about their reply. the tension spring's location inside the upper housing makes this a less than straightforward application. thanks.

[ironhat]

Woodsmith #161 has this. It might just be what you're looking for. I've seen it with better pics and I thought I had them, but... And, BTW, you don't earn the 'Goofy" award for leaving the tension on your saw. When I was a wee lad - under age 10 - I saw this knob on the back of Dad's neat Sears Dunlop bandsaw so I tightened it... a lot. Then, I heard a snap and the wheel dropped to the table. Of course, I ran. It was a long time before I told on myself. He thought that he had left it too tight. Wrong knob but it never worked again.

PS Digging around the forum I came across this video on a blog. It looks more substantial.