Bandsaw Blade Tracking

[gerti]

You're welcome. You can come over and practice on my bandsaw.

Might just take you up on that in the future! Could use some bandsaw tips. ;-)

[bmyers]

Try it!!

I've been struggling with my bandsaw also and like you I came across this same setup video on youtube as well.

If I ever see that guy I'm going to thank him for the good advice. I just tried it and my bandsaw is cutting great. Sliced up some white oak that almost was firewood like butta....


Bill

[phrog]

The deepest part of the gullet should be centered on the wheel.

Bandsaw Clinic with Alex Snodgrass

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

It's a "must watch" if you have a bandsaw. He talks about blade positioning at about 4 minutes in.

Incredible-he's been doing this for 22 years and still has all 10 digits. I can't even think what to cut as fast as he is doing it.

Thanks for the link. I'm going to try to set my bandsaw up the way he suggests instead of throwing it out.

[durango dude]

I set up my Craftsman 12" (2 wheel) saw using the Alex Snodgrass directions.

His method works ------ darn well, in fact.

Right now, I have a 1/2" 6TPI (skip tooth) blade on my machine - and it works fantastic.

I will tell you that one thing that made a world of difference for my machine - was having the right blade.

I was trying to cut 4x4" quarter-sawn oak ------ with a 3/8" 12 TPI blade --- which was just plain stupid!

Having a good blade helps a lot ----- try this selector (I actually bought my blade from Woodcraft ---- but my neighbor buys from these guys --- and I think they're really helpful).

http://www.timberwolfblades.com/Blade-Selector.php

[LCHIEN]

The Highland Woodworking resaw blade they call the Woodslicer is a very highly regarded blade for resawing. Its reputation is on a par with the Timberwolf blades from Suffolk machinery Buts its just a resaw blade, the Timberwolf is a whole line of blades..

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/w...aw-blades.aspx

[bmyers]

The Highland Woodworking resaw blade they call the Woodslicer is a very highly regarded blade for resawing. Its reputation is on a par with the Timberwolf blades from Suffolk machinery Buts its just a resaw blade, the Timberwolf is a whole line of blades..

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/w...aw-blades.aspx

That is the blade I installed and setup as described in the video. Good bang for the buck. Leaves a nice finish. I'll post some pics once the shop warms up a little..

[bmyers]

wood slicer vs w oak

Here is the wood slicer on my harbor freight band saw setup as in the video. Cutting with ease, good finish, no blade drift.

[greenacres2]

+1 on the Woodslicer. I don't have a lot of experience, and i'm sure there are "better" resaw blades (carbide tipped comes to mind), but i can't imagine much better bang for the buck.

@bmyers--i think you're just using this thread as an excuse to show off that lumber--that is some prime looking stock!!

earl

[bmyers]

@bmyers--i think you're just using this thread as an excuse to show off that lumber--that is some prime looking stock!!

earl

Was i that obvious? Sorry.

Really I wanted to share on the usefulness of that video. The band saw for me has been a hit or miss setup machine for almost 10 years. Sometimes, with some blades I'd get great results, other times I wouldn't go near the thing for months at a time. Defeated by the subtleties of setting up a band saw correctly and consistently.

What those pictures really say is "I should have a pellet stove".. Those were chunks destined for the wood stove that I simply could not bring myself to burn despite the ridiculous winter we've had here in NY.

The white oak is for a shoe shine box I am making for myself. The spalted maple was in queue in front of the band saw to get sliced up. Nothing planned for it yet..