Blade Lead

An inherent situation with all bandsaws is their tendency to not cut parallel to the fence, even when the fence seems parallel to the blade. Figure 47 demonstrates the effect blade lead can have on your workpiece. This problem is usually caused by three main factors:

1.The teeth are set heavier on one side than the other.

2.The teeth are dull on one side.

3.The blade tension is too tight or too loose.

Usually these problems can be fixed by making the appropriate adjustments or replacing the blade.

Sometimes fixing these problems may not be immediately practical. If you need to get by in a pinch, here are two options: (1) You can slightly moving the angle of your fence in the appropri- ate direction to compensate for the amount the cut strays. (2) You can slightly rotate your table to compensate for the amount of blade lead.

To adjust for blade lead with the fence only (option 1):

1. Measure how far the blade leads by making a straight line parallel to the straight side of a 2' board. Without using the fence, cut along the line to the midpoint of the board. Without moving the position of the board, turn the bandsaw off and slide the fence next to the board. Any variation between the edge of the board and the fence is caused by blade lead. Measure this varia- tion, if any, and proceed if necessary.

3.Tighten the farthest end of the fence from the side where you are standing and loosen the adjustment bolts shown in Figure 46.

4.Skew the fence the amount that you deter- mined in step 1.

5.Retighten the fence bolts. Cut a test board to ensure the adjustment worked. Repeat the process and try again if it did not work.

DO NOT investigate problems or adjust the bandsaw while it is run- ning. Wait until the machine is turned off, unplugged and all working parts have come to a complete stop before proceeding!

Figure 47. This rip cut illustrates excessive

blade lead.

To adjust the entire table for blade lead so your fence and miter slot will cut straight (option 2):

1.If you know how far your blade leads (for example: 1⁄16" to the right), you can loosen the 6 trunnion bolts under the table and rotate the table half that amount (we say “half” because while one end moves to the right, the other moves to the left).

2.Retighten the trunnion bolts.

3.Cut a test board to ensure that the adjust- ment worked. Repeat the process and try again if it did not. Do not get discouraged if it did not work. Trial-and-error is often nor- mal with these adjustments.