Blade Lead
It is common for a bandsaw blade to wander off the cut line when sawing as shown in Figure 33. This is called blade lead.
Figure 33. Blade leading away from line of cut.
To correct blade lead:
1.Check that the miter slot or fence is parallel to the blade line, and correct if necessary.
2.Check for proper blade tension. If the blade ten- sion is correct and it is not convenient to replace the blade, compensate for lead by skewing the fence or adjusting the table.
To skew your fence:
1.Cut a piece of scrap wood approximately 3⁄4" thick x 3" wide x 17" long. On a wide face of the board, draw a straight line parallel to the long edge.
2.Slide the fence out of the way and cut free- hand along the line. Stop at the halfway point. Turn the bandsaw OFF and wait for the blade to stop.
3.Clamp the board to the bandsaw table with- out moving it. Now slide the fence over to the board so it barely touches one end of the board.
4.Loosen the four cap screws on top of the fence.
5.Skew the fence so it is parallel to the edge of the scrap piece. You may need to
6.While maintaining the skew, tighten the cap screws.
To shift the table:
1.Cut a piece of scrap wood approximately 3⁄4" thick x 3" wide x 17" long. On a wide face of the board, draw a straight line parallel to the long edge.
2.Slide the fence out of the way and cut free- hand along the line. Stop at the halfway point. Turn the bandsaw OFF and wait for the blade to stop.
3.Clamp the board to the bandsaw table without moving it.
4.Loosen the table mounting bolts. Shift the table to compensate for the blade lead.
5.Repeat Steps
6.Tighten the table bolts.
Table Tilt
The bandsaw table will tilt 15˚ left and 45˚ right to provide a wide range of cutting options. Remove the positive stop bolt to tilt the table to the left.
To tilt the table:
1.Loosen the two plastic knobs underneath the table that lock the table trunnion.
2.Position the table to the desired angle. Refer to the angle gauge on the front table trunnion for the angle.
3.Retighten both plastic knobs.
ST1000 14" Bandsaw |