Look ma! I can resaw!

[atgcpaul]

I've had my Griz G0513 bandsaw for more than 3 years and I was never happy
with my resaw skills. I thought I had it setup right. Even had one of those
famous 1/2" Timberwolf blades. I figured something was up with the saw and
I made a bad choice 3 years ago. Or maybe I needed to invest in roller bearings.
The saw always seemed to labor through the cuts, and cuts were cupped or
angled through the board. I knew the blade was parallel to the fence. Maybe
the blade was dull. I was having some buyer's remorse. Expensive mistake.

Well, I have to cut some thin panels for a frame and panel. I decided it was
time to tune up the saw once and for all. I open up the top cabinet and first
thing I notice is the blade tracking is WAY off. I mean, the blade was all the
way to the edge of the tire. What the?!!! How did I let it get this bad?!!!
Got the blade tracking in the middle then I looked at the upper and lower
blade guides.

Again, off. It's like some gremlin got in my shop and changed everything.
Spent a few minutes tweaking the thrust bearings and the guides. Set the
fence to cut down the middle of the board and started cutting.

What a difference!!! Why didn't I do this before???? The cuts were fairly
effortless and the blade didn't twist its way through the board. I am so pleased
with the saw now. I can't believe I let this go on for so long. I will have to
try cutting even thinner for homemade veneer when I have the time.

So don't lose faith in your equipment. As most of you have discovered, it's
usually operator error.

Keeping the faith,
Paul

[cgallery]

Similar story for me. Took a while until the bandsaw and I finally "clicked."

[BrazosJake]

The bandsaw is a pretty finicky machine. Glad to hear you're getting good results now.

[sweensdv]

I too was always having to readjust everything on my bandsaw and it was a real pain. I know that I shouldn't be doing this but I quit detensioning the blade when I am finished using the saw. Ever since I've been leaving the blade under tension I haven't had to make adjustments every time I use my saw.

[tlt]

nice. i am still learning how to fuss with a bandsaw i inherited...after getting elliptical results using a circle-cutting jig, i found a few new things out of whack underneath the table that really made a difference.

dave, as i am still learning about bandsaw tuning -- what's bad about leaving the blade tensioned?

thanks,
--tlt

[sweensdv]

tlt, some claim that by keeping the blade tensioned you are putting stress on the blade and shortening it's life span. The same is said about the tires on the wheels. So far, neither of those two scenarios have happened to me. YRMV.

[luteman]

I have had my bandsaw for 40 years and have never detensioned the blade except to change it. It makes cuts almost as straight as my table saw.

[tlt]

thanks for the info, that's good to know. at first working with the bandsaw was a bit of a chore, but as i'm getting it tuned, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite tools in the shop.