Bandsaw Blade Tips

Choosing The Proper Band Saw Blade Lubrication

NEVER USE WATER as a lubricant on band saw blades.

For the woodworker using 1″ and 1 1/4″ bands, not only is water unacceptable as a lubricant, but it also rusts the bands causing deep pitting, and inappropriate chip swelling. This prematurely destroys the body of the band and its gullets. It also dry rots your tires or V-belts.

For proper lubrication mix HIGH ADHESION CHAIN SAW BAR OIL, with 50% kerosene or diesel fuel. DO NOT APPLY AGAIN until the sound of cutting starts increasing. Longer life; No pitch buildup; No rusted or pitted bands!

spray-on vegetable shortening is a great lubrication for 3/4″ WIDTH AND UNDER band saw blades on vertical saws. Spray on both sides of the band for 2-3 seconds under the table. Do not apply again until the sound returns.

A band saw blade is a tool. You must lubricate both sides!

In both cases, we know for a fact that lubrication of the body of the band increases band life by over 30%. Applied sparingly, you can cut grade lumber with NO staining to your product and we feel it also enhances tire life.

Always De-Tension Your Bands

Band saw blades, when warmed up from cutting, always stretch; and upon cooling shrink by tens of thousandths of an inch each cooling period.

Bandsaw Blade Tips

For Turn Screw And Spring Tensioning Machines

Remove guides–you CANNOT run this test if the band saw blade is restricted in any lateral movement.

Mount the blade on the machine and apply the tension to the band that the manufacturer recommends for other steels.

Very slowly start detensioning by half turns at a time, keeping your eyes on the band saw blade. The object is to bring the tension of the blade down to a point that the blade starts to flutter. TAKE YOUR TIME.

Now start ADDING quarter turns of tension, SLOWLY, until the band stops fluttering and is running stable again. At this point ADD one more complete turn of tension.

You have now tensioned our blade correctly. ALWAYS DE-TENSION YOUR BAND SAW BLADES.

For Hydraulic Tension

Run the same test as above. With hydraulic tension you need to de-tension 20-25 lbs. at a time. After you have removed the flutter, add an extra 50 lbs. of pressure. Remember the pressure on your gauge.
ALWAYS DE-TENSION YOUR BAND SAW BLADES. The next time you use the band, tension it to the same setting you found after running the flutter test.

For Air Bag Tension

With air bag tension, you need to de-tension 15 lbs. at a time. ALWAYS DE-TENSION YOUR BAND SAW BLADES. The next time you use the band, tension it to the same setting you found after running the flutter test.

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Safety Tips for Using a Woodworking Band Saw

A few safety tips for using a woodworking band saw will be gave to you by this article about operating band saws safely. You will still need to be carefull while operating a woodworking band saw although it is one of the safest tools you can use.

Equipment

You should always wear safety glasses while working with a woodworking band saw. The blades rotate very fast, and small pieces from the cut can fly in virtually any direction. Also, In case the blade on the woodworking bandsaw happens to break, the safety glasses will protect your eyes

Clothing

Your clothing is one of the next things you need to think about when operating a woodworking band saw. While working with this tool, you should never wear loose clothing. As shirts with long sleeves may get caught in the woodworking bandsaw, need to avoid to be wore by you.

Blade

During operation, there are many components that keep the blade stable during operation. Therefore, these components have to be checked frequently. It will sustain unnecessary wear and may break, if the woodworking band saw are not adjusted correctly. The tension on the blade has to be made sure is always set properly.

Cutting

In the case stock that are hanging in the air, never use a woodworking band saw to cut it pieces. Always remember to put the stock be flat against the surface of the table. Before you turn the woodworking band saw on and using it, you should wait until the motor has reached full speed.

Hands

While working with woodworking band saw, You should always keep your hand at least three inches away from the blade. You should use a stick to push the stock If you need to hold your hands any closer than three inches. For any reason, never reach your hand across the woodworking band saw. Even when the blade is at a distance, keep your hands out of the path of the blade is also a good idea.