Blade Lead
Most bandsaw blades will not cut straight when using the fence or miter gauge. This is called Òlead.Ó See Figure 31. Lead occurs (1) if the blade tension is incorrect, (2) if the teeth are dull on one side, or (3) if the teeth are set heavier on one side of the blade than the other.
If you notice that your blade is not cutting straight (i.e. leading) while using the fence or miter gauge:
1.Check that the fence is parallel to the blade line.
2.Check that you have proper blade tension. If the blade tension is correct and you do not want to replace the blade, compensate for lead by skewing the fence or adjusting the table.
To skew your fence:
1.Obtain a piece of scrap wood that is approx- imately 3Ú4" 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 two skewing cap screws on top of the fence. (Refer back to Figure 25 for details on skewing fence.)
5.Skew the fence left or right so it is parallel to the edge of the scrap piece. You may need to readjust the fence locking mechanisms to gain maximum adjustment.
6.While maintaining the skew, tighten the cap screws.
Figure 31. Blade leading away from line of cut.
To compensate for lead if making straight crosscuts using the miter gauge, you will need to shift the table. To do this:
1.On a scrap piece of wood, mark a line that is perpendicular to the front edge. Starting where the line begins, cut the board by push- ing it through the blade with the miter gauge.
2.Loosen the table mounting bolts according to the instructions about ÒTable Parallelism.Ó Shift the table to compensate for the blade lead.
3.Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the blade cuts straight when wood is pushed through with the miter gauge.
NOTICE
If the table is shifted, the fence will be affected since it is attached.
NOTICE
Lead adjustments will change when new blades are mounted in the saw.
G4186Z 18" Bandsaw |
