Mabey it is posted somewhere, should you release the tension on the blade if the mill is going to sit idle for a period of time or just leave it tight? Fred
Wow Eddie, I never knew that. I have never released my tension unless I was changing the blade. I guess you can learn something new every day is a true statement.:)
It is said that leaving the band under tension flattens the belts where depressed (which hardens them) and places undue stress on bearings and shafts; probably not good on the spring either. Bands which have stetched from the heat developed in cutting may end up over-tensioned when they cool, possibly resulting in cracking in the gullets. My Norwood manual recommends releasing the tension at the end of the day.
... and remember to re-tension the band saw blade before you fire up the engine. Been there, done that! I now have a special place (magnet) where I put the key when I loosen the blade. When I go to start the engine and the key isn't in the switch, I think "Oh, yeh, tension the blade".
Good judgement comes from experience... experience comes from bad judgement.
Mabey it is posted somewhere, should you release the tension on the blade if the mill is going to sit idle for a period of time or just leave it tight? Fred
Always release the tension when done sawing.
Wow Eddie, I never knew that. I have never released my tension unless I was changing the blade. I guess you can learn something new every day is a true statement.:)
Thanks eddiemac, It was cutting so good I didn't want to change it put will take care of it first thing. Fred
It is said that leaving the band under tension flattens the belts where depressed (which hardens them) and places undue stress on bearings and shafts; probably not good on the spring either. Bands which have stetched from the heat developed in cutting may end up over-tensioned when they cool, possibly resulting in cracking in the gullets. My Norwood manual recommends releasing the tension at the end of the day.
All band saw manufactures make the same suggestion and many now come with quick releases on the shop models.
"Always release the tension when done sawing."
... and remember to re-tension the band saw blade before you fire up the engine. Been there, done that! I now have a special place (magnet) where I put the key when I loosen the blade. When I go to start the engine and the key isn't in the switch, I think "Oh, yeh, tension the blade".
Good judgement comes from experience... experience comes from bad judgement.
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