Just got my new Central Machinery bandsaw from Harbor Freight, and I've already got a question. When I try to cut a piece of nickel silver bar the blade pops off of the drive wheel as soon as the teeth touch the material. With the saw arm in vertical position the blade seems to be tracking right, but as soon as I try and cut something it comes off. It's got a spring adjusted feed rate - could I have this set wrong? Anybody had this problem? Thanks!

Josh Blount

Is the tension on the blade high enough? There have been other threads on this and I know that Don Cowles just replaced his with a Wilton (real nice).

I have a Grizzly and with the bimetal blade I haven't had any problems at all.

Be sure to check all of the blade guides to see that they are aligned properly above and below the table and that the rear stops (usually a bearing wheel of some sort) is not set back too far.

Good Luck,

Bob Sigmon

Hey Josh,
I had that problem a while back. I adjusted the guides back, and they cured it for me.
What do you mean "spring loaded feed"?
Do you mean tension on the blade?
Feed usually means how hard the work is pushed into the blade, or how fast you feed it in.
Check both drive wheels and see that the blade is riding on the back lip OK. If it is riding to the front, just adjust your guides back untill the blade rides on the lip of both wheels.
How much slack do you have between the guides (top and bottom)?
Move the guides as close together as you can and still clear the work.Any excess play puts a bow in the blade when you push in the middle, causing the blade to roll off the bottom drive wheel. This flex must come out. Scoot the top guide down, and the bottom guide up(if possible) and see if that helps.
If the drive wheels themselves are spring loaded then you must increase the tension on the spring somehow. I have to CRANK mine down every time I change blades. The tighter I get it, the better it runs.
If this doesn't help, give me a hollar. OK?

Hey Gene,
That does help. The guides are a little far apart, I think that'll help a lot. I forgot to explain the spring feed - the bandsaw is horizontally or vertically operated. When it's used horizontally, there's a spring that puts tension on the saw arm, controlling how much downward pressure it puts on the work. I may have to fiddle with that, but I think adjusting the guides will help the most. Thanks!

Josh Blount

Josh, do a net search for Frank Hoose's web site. Something like mini-lathe.com. He has alot of info re metal cutting bandsaws. If I wasn't so computer ignorant I'd send it to you. Hope this helps.

Josh, That spring has nothing to do with the blade tension.
I fixed mine in a stand up position permanantly on a stand.
Make sure the blade is as tight as possible.

I have the same machine and had the same problem for a bit. There is another adjustment that cants the upper wheel either way, and it just took some tweaking to get it right.

Steve

Here is a place that has more tips.
www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw.htm (http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw.htm)
and

another www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html (http://www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.html)
hope this helps.

Hey,
Thanks for all the posts. I've been sick and haven't had a chance to work on my bandsaw yet, but I think y'all have helped me figure it out. Appreciate it!

Josh