ASSEMBLY
ADJUSTING BLADE TENSION
See Figures 9 and 10.
Turn off and unplug the saw. Remove the switch key.
WARNING:
Failure to turn the saw off, remove the switch key, and unplug the saw could result in accidental starting causing possible serious personal injury.
Before using the band saw, turn the blade tension knob on the top of the saw clockwise to engage tension. See Figure 9.
NOTE: Adjustments of blade tension can be made at anytime.
Another method of checking blade tension has to do with the sound the blade makes when plucked like a guitar string.
Pluck the back straight edge on the coasting side opposite the blade guides while turning the tension knob. Sound should be a musical note. Sound becomes higher pitched as tension increases.
Using either method to check blade tension can be developed with practice.
Never increase blade tension so tight as to completely compress the spring. When completely compressed, the spring can no longer act as a shock absorber.
NOTE: Too much tension may cause the blade to break. Too little tension may cause the blade to slip on the wheels.
TRACKING THE BLADE
See Figure 10.
WARNING:
Failure to turn the saw off, remove the switch key, and unplug the saw could result in accidental starting causing possible serious personal injury.
NOTE: Adjust blade tension properly before making track- ing adjustments. Check that the blade guides are not inter- fering with the blade.
To Adjust:
Open the front cover by releasing the upper and lower latches. Watch the blade’s position on the upper tire through the tracking view window as, by hand, you slowly turn the upper wheel clockwise. If the blade moves away from the center of the tire, the tracking must be adjusted. Retighten hex nut.
If the blade has moved left or right of center:
NOTE: It may be necessary to loosen the hex nut for a larger range of adjustments. Be sure to retighten after adjusting.
Turn the blade tracking knob (clockwise if blade has moved left and counterclockwise if blade has moved right) while turning the wheel by hand until the blade moves back and rides in the center of the tire.
Check the position of the blade on the lower tire. The blade should be completely on the tire. If not, adjust the tracking until the blade is on both tires.
Rotate the upper wheel by hand in a clockwise direction for a few more turns. Make sure the blade stays in the same location on the tires. Readjust, if necessary, until blade is tracking properly.
Close front cover and relatch.
NOTE: The 1/8 in. (3 mm) blade may not track properly in the center of the wheel. It may be better to track this blade on the back half of the upper wheel.
TO DECREASE | TO INCREASE |
TENSION | TENSION |
BLADE TENSION KNOB
Fig. 9
BLADE
TENSION
KNOB
BLADE ON
WHEEL
TRACKING
VIEW
WINDOW
BLADE
TRACKING
KNOB
Fig. 10
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