Monthly Archives: September 2014
Replacing Bandsaw Wheels
When it comes time for replacing bandsaw wheels, questions asked in the customer service department include what type of wheels, and what type of machine. It is essential to know these things in order to help determine the right wheel for the right machine. There are different types of wheels available, and there are things to consider when purchasing new bandsaw wheels. Bandsaw wheels keep the saw blade moving continuously while in operation, and there are two types of wheels available: the drive wheel and the idler wheel. The drive wheel is the portion of a bandsaw’s pulley-like drive system that propels the blade forward. …
Bandsaw Machine Vibration
There are different factors to consider when trying to determine the causes of excessive bandsaw machine vibration. A noisy bandsaw machine indicates improper use or parts malfunction. As the number of cut pieces increase, the sound pressure level also increases; indicating that noise level is proportional to the vibration wavelength. Eliminating bandsaw machine vibration will reduce cutting noise and increase efficiency. Machine manufacturers have developed damping devices while saw blade producers focus on varied-pitch saw blades and unique tooth design as a way of helping to reduce bandsaw vibration. These attempts have resulted in successful increase in blade life and cutting rates, but …
Bandsaw Wheel Alignment
The proper and necessary procedure for bandsaw wheel alignment will not only help to maintain the life of a saw blade but the bandsaw machine as well. A misaligned bandsaw wheel will cause the saw blade to move during cutting, which will result in unacceptable production output. Bandsaw wheel alignment will fix these issues. Inspecting production cuts is the simplest way to decide if the bandsaw is cutting properly, and improper cut suggests wheel alignment issues. Bandsaw operators should double-check each cut for viability. The bandsaw wheel will need to be cleaned, oiled, or replaced if the work piece varies in size at different points. Hearing sounds emanating from …
Two and Three-Wheel Bandsaws
When thinking about the purchase of two and three-wheel bandsaws, it helps to understand the unique aspects of both machines. One factor to consider when buying a bandsaw is the type of machine that best suits the needs of the shop or hobbyist. It is also wise to take into consideration the types of materials to be cut with the machine as well. There are two basic models available: the two-wheel and the three-wheel bandsaw. Between the two machines, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. A three-wheel bandsaw gives distance-of-cut between the down travel cutting side and the upward return side of the …
Abrasive Materials
Due to the minerals present in abrasive materials, cutting them presents a difficulty in the bandsaw industry. The material’s hardness and texture are major contributors to such issues as blade bounce or tooth stripping. Abrasives are normally used in operations like honing, polishing, grinding, sandblasting, and other similar processes. They are classified in two ways: natural and synthetic abrasives. Natural abrasive materials include things like industrial diamond, corundum, emery, garnet, flint, quartz, pumice, and talc. The synthetic varieties include synthetic diamond, boron nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide, and alumina. Most abrasive materials applications encounter situations where the materials being cut are harder than the saw blade doing the cutting. Its …
Bandsaw Blade Twist
Bandsaw blade twist occurs when the saw blade suddenly changes direction — left or right — while making a cut. The term might not be familiar to some but this is actually a common problem that can crop up during the cutting process. Some common causes of bandsaw blade twist include the saw blade binding in the cut. This occurs when the amount of feed force applied exceeds the required rate. Reduce the feed rate or follow the saw blade manufacturer’s recommended feed rates The wrong blade width is used on radius cuts. Use a narrower blade or refer to the bandsaw’s owner’s manual for recommended blade …
Bundle Cutting
Using a bandsaw for speedy bundle cutting — advice about production speed. Selecting the correct bandsaw for the job and the correct saw blade for the material being cut are critical to production performance. Many machine shop owners are interested in how best to speed up production in order to cut more material using a bandsaw. Sometimes, in the quest for faster production it is thought to be time that is the problem. It actually turns out to be a combination of factors: things that end up being responsible for bottlenecks in the sawing process. A myopic vision leads to thinking that purchasing …
