[blue]

can anybody give advice re use of bandsaw ? I,ve just bought a Draper Bandsaw from a friend and unfortunately it came without the instructions.The problem I,ve got is how to adjust the blade as its nigh on impossible to cut a straight line. Could it be the the blade is too tensioned or not enough ? The blade guides look fine and the blade and saw are as new. I don,t think the blade just follows the grain as it wanders on all types of wood. Any help gratefully accepted.
Gary
y

 

[Wildecoyote]

Sounds to me like you aint got enough tension on the blade.

Hasnt the saw got a marker on it to give you the tensions for individual width blades?

The blade guides should almost be touching the blade to keep it straight.

Also note, very narrow blades do tend to wander, its in thier nature, thats why you use them for cutting complex shapes. Whereas wider blades tend to cut very straight, so you use them for ripping.

 

[halken007]

have a look here at podcast 22 i am a new band saw owner and i found it a great help

http://www.woodworkingonline.com/

 

[Scott Daniel]

I'd get a copy of Lonnie Bird's "The Bandsaw Book". There is a lot more to tuning a bandsaw than tensioning the blade.

http://www.toolcritic.com/products/books/books-1561582891-details.html

You might also see if you can get a set of Carter guides for your saw. I got a set for my Grizzly and it make it much more usable.

Best,

Scott