Bandsaw blade tension

[pineyfolks]

I changed blades on my vertical bandsaw from a 3/4" width to a 3/8" and tightened as usual but the 3/8" blade seems a lot tighter. Is there a difference in tensioning between widths? I had to switch to be able to cut a tighter radius. I'd hate to break a new blade.

 

[bcall2043]

See the two links below. Your issue has to do with the cross section area of the different size blades and the strength of the blade material. The first link is a description of the principle and the math. The second is a link to a neat DIY tool to measure the blade tension.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young's_modulus
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f25/bandsaw-tension-gauge-20898/

Benny
The Orphanage Never Closes

 

[pineyfolks]

Thanks Benny, the links were a lot of help and I like the gauge idea, cheap and effective. I didn't realize how much tension was on a blade.

 

[pineyfolks]

Jim,I've never heard that one before. :lmao: Thanks for the info to another good link.