bandsaw blade tension

Frankf · 04-01-2001, 11:27 PM

Hello All:
I picked up a delta bandsaw today, (no manual). It's in good shape, I put a blade on it, none was with it. Can anyone give me some hints about tension for the blade? I've seen a few posts about midway between the wheels, there should be less that 1/4 in. movement, however I'm looking for something a little more exact.

thanks in advance
FrankF

**fwh** · 04-01-2001, 11:46 PM

Hi Frank,

The 1/4" test with 'moderate force' is one test. Of course, how much force is moderate? Another test you can use in addition to that one (that works pretty good for me) is to tension by sound. Mark Duginske talks about this one in his Bandsaw Handbook, and it works. Increase the tension while you pluck the blade like a guitar string. When it's undertensioned, it makes a kind of flat sound, and then as you increase tension it begins to make a much clearer ping. When you go too far, the sound gets lower because it can't vibrate any more. The real test though is whether a sharp blade wanders in the cut. Suggest you use the above methods to get close, then do a resaw and see if the blade will stay on track. Wiley Horne

**Lou_williams** · 04-01-2001, 11:47 PM

Frank,

Get a good book on bandsaws. Too little tension and it won't cut right. Too much and you will put too much strain on the barrings.

I would recomend getting the Swedish steel blades there are a couple of good sites. They take lots less tension and are super blades with less potential machine ware and tare.

http://www.suffolkmachinery.com
http://www.pswood.com/index1.html

Ed in NY · 04-02-2001, 07:56 AM

If it helps, Ittura Design has a bandsaw tension guage for about $130. It's a liitle steep in price but if your a perfectionist, it's invaluable. By the way, it's been backordered for months.

**Lou_williams** · 04-02-2001, 12:05 PM

The reason I recomend these blades is both the quality of the cut and the ease of setting the tension. You adjust the blade and tracking so that it will run true. Turn on the saw and then loosen the tension until the blade flutters a bit. Then you tighten the tension for one turn on the adjuster. Your done.

**Sonny** · 04-02-2001, 02:51 PM

I might add that the Six rules (from the Suffolk folks)are also very good to have by your bandsaw.
Like detentioning the blade so it won't make your wheels take a set.
I got a manual for mine, but it didn't mention that.
Very good folks.

Sonny
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/