Tag Archives: guidelines
Saw Blade Back and Gullet Cracks
Bandsaw owners and operators will encounter saw blade back and gullet cracks and might wonder why, or think that it is simply a low quality blade. Yet, being economical doesn’t necessarily mean that the blade is the problem. At Sawblade.com, we offer some of the lowest saw blade and parts prices in the industry. This does not mean that we carry inferior stock, or that our blades are not engineered to the highest industry specifications. In many cases, the common problems resulting in gullet and back cracks often range from crooked welds to bandsaw blade breakage. Problems will also occur when …
Preventing Weld Breaks
There are ways to prolong bandsaw blade life and avoid weld breakage. All bandsaw blades are welded or soldered. A strip of teeth are cut to length and welded to make a loop. Sometimes, the saw blade will break at this weld. A break is the result of an improper weld, or that there is too much tension on the bandsaw wheel, or even that a bad quality blade predisposed to such a break was purchased. Weld breakage is common, and questions a vendor may ask include whether or not proper blade tension was applied, what size and type of material was being cut, and had …
Tube Cutting
Cutting tube is more difficult than sawing solid bars. The bandsaw blade is performing two types of cut, sawing solid as it enters the material then entering the hollow tube. The blade is now cutting two thin solids with a space in between — an interrupted cut. To achieve the best result in cutting tube, blade variables and bandsaw settings have to be carefully selected. Tooth pitch (TPI) is an important variable as well. The number of teeth engaged with the material determines both blade performance and durability. A few teeth in contact with the material can lead to stripped teeth, bending, or premature …
Bandsaw Vibration
Bandsaw vibration is counterproductive to a smooth cut, and having material wriggle right off the machine makes for a time-consuming effort. Solving the issue of bandsaw vibration is often as simple as maintenance, with the option to upgrade having an even greater impact on quality of cut and overall performance. With all of the moving parts on a bandsaw, possible sources of excess vibration are varied, but it would be best to start with worn or inferior drive belts. Old, well-worn belts or the purchase of a cheap belt with lumps or inconsistencies will indicate just cause for unnecessary vibration. Blade check comes next. Loosen and …
Issues with Square Cut
A few of the possible causes for a bandsaw machine’s inability to cut square depend on the nature of the problem. Is the bandsaw level and secure? Are the load and discharge conveyors on the same plane as the vise bed? Are the saw guide inserts, backup bearings, and thumbscrews all in good condition? Are the band wheel and wheel bearings in good or bad condition? Is the saw head squarely adjusted to the fixed vise? Does the pivot head show wear? If the saw cut is dished or curved, the cause might be inadequate band tension, excessive feed force, the feed control system may be out of calibration, applying …
Tune-Up of Bandsaws
Bandsaws that are properly tuned cut true, do not drift, and work effectively in straight and curved cuts. It will not require the addition of hundreds of dollars in accessories, either; just help to make the machine run more efficiently. Simple adjustments will help to keep the saw cutting true, and the order of adjustment is designed for either a new machine or one that could really use a good tune-up. Blade selection — may be the most important section of all. The correct blade is critical to optimum performance. A wide, coarse blade is for re-sawing; a fine, narrower blade is for thin stock. Too …
Bandsaw Operation Safety Guidelines
Bandsaw operation poses risk to the operator and liability to the company; specifically if improper maintenance continues along with there being no steps taken in precaution and preparation. Operating bandsaw machines requires multiple pre and in operation awareness in order to realize a safe and effective cutting process. Daily machine maintenance and pre-operating safety requirements need to be met. The operator should have a checklist of these procedures and the right tools for machine repair prior to any cutting of materials. The checklist will serve as a guide to maintaining the life and value of the bandsaw while also aiding in a safe and …
Bandsaw Operator Guidelines
Operating a bandsaw machine isn’t always easy. Taking care of one isn’t, either. A bandsaw is a versatile machine that allows for cutting of a variety of different types of materials: wood, plastics, and steels for example. Proper use and maintenance are important. If being professional is as important as maintaining quality output and increased production, then knowledge and safety should be second-nature to the bandsaw operator. Actually reading the instructions that come with the machine is a start. Information about the finer adjustments necessary for proper cut are usually included. Failing to follow manual instructions — like setting the correct blade tension and …
Proper Bandsaw Blade Tracking
Sharing information that is helpful and affords profitable results with satisfactory production is part of the team effort here at SawBlade.com. Proper Bandsaw Blade Tracking is helpful advice any bandsaw operator should know in order to achieve those desired results. Proper bandsaw blade tracking procedure is meant to help the bandsaw machine operator stay safe while also conducting a flawless cutting operation. For proper bandsaw blade tracking, we advise the following: Remove the back-up guides and then loosen or remove the side guides. Tension the saw blade. The blade should be properly tightened in order to obtain straight cuts and to reduce blade fatigue. After …
Negative Issues with Cut
Multiple factors cause negative issues with cut that affect the quality of the bandsaw machine’s performance and output. The following are some of the possible causes and their solutions to the issues: Dull blade It is highly recommended that the saw blade be replaced rather than having it sharpened. To avoid premature dulling of saw blade teeth, proper break-in procedure should be implemented along with things like coolant concentration and flow, the chip brush, appropriate feed rates and blade speed, and a proper tooth pitch for the material being cut. Improper break-in New bandsaw blades have sharp teeth that are fragile …
