I don't know if this has been covered before or not, but. I have been kind of researching getting most efficient and maximum life from my bi metal band saw blades. I have the plans to build a tension gauge and was going to build it, but found out that is the least of problems. Blade tension is a fairly liberal spec and rarely is a factor in breaking the blades. I always make the tension knob "two eyed tight", which is evidently close to correct. a little too much tension is better than not enough ( to a point, before anyone pounces on that statement).
The biggest cause of blade breakage seems to be stress cracks radiating towards the teeth and the blade snaps.( or so I have read and been told by a reliable expert source). That being said these cracks are most often caused by too much force on the blade into the work and too much distance between the blade guides. So, I know to keep the guide distance as short as possible, but how do you guys (if you even do) determine the proper amount of down force on your blade, which technically should be different for different materials and even different size materials.
All this being said , I have determined there is truth to this because I have increased the down force (to cut faster) and blades break and don't last as long.
The expensive band saws have a pressure gauge and adjustable force, and even a guide to tell you about what to set it at. but alas, I am reduced to using a Chinese 4 x 6 saw from you know who. There is a poor excuse for adjustment via a garage door spring on these saws. I get my blades custom made (usually a 6/8 tooth combination) at a cost of $18 each and don't like breaking them. has anyone out there done anything about the control of down force on these cheap... er .... I mean inexpensive saws? or even thought about this subject?
I plan to try to figure a well made and cost effective solution and any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I feel this would be a benefit to many of us.
Mark Frazier
The biggest cause of blade breakage seems to be stress cracks radiating towards the teeth and the blade snaps.( or so I have read and been told by a reliable expert source). That being said these cracks are most often caused by too much force on the blade into the work and too much distance between the blade guides. So, I know to keep the guide distance as short as possible, but how do you guys (if you even do) determine the proper amount of down force on your blade, which technically should be different for different materials and even different size materials.
All this being said , I have determined there is truth to this because I have increased the down force (to cut faster) and blades break and don't last as long.
The expensive band saws have a pressure gauge and adjustable force, and even a guide to tell you about what to set it at. but alas, I am reduced to using a Chinese 4 x 6 saw from you know who. There is a poor excuse for adjustment via a garage door spring on these saws. I get my blades custom made (usually a 6/8 tooth combination) at a cost of $18 each and don't like breaking them. has anyone out there done anything about the control of down force on these cheap... er .... I mean inexpensive saws? or even thought about this subject?
I plan to try to figure a well made and cost effective solution and any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I feel this would be a benefit to many of us.
Mark Frazier
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