Band guides

[jackal]

Hi

I have a Nutool 335mm throat bandsaw and I'm struggling with the guides. I hope to use the saw for re sawing 6" stock. I have a new band from Tuffsaws. When I try to re saw the band has a mind of it's own.

The guide on side of the band are mounted flat to the band which doesn't seem right to me and struggle to rotat.

I may be interested in replacing the guides but not sure what would be a good choice or where to get them.

Thank you for any advice you can give.

 

[AndyT]

Could you post a picture of how it looks at the moment? We don't all know all the model numbers, but there are not that many different ways of guiding a bandsaw.

 

[jackal]

Cheers Andrew

I don't have a lot of experience with Band saws so really appreciate the help

Yes it is grubby:wink:

Marc

 

[AndyT]

The guides in the upper picture should have smooth, square ends, be aligned so that their ends are behind the teeth, and be clear of the blade by the thickness of a *** paper. Yours seem to have a splinter of something lodged in there, which is not going to help!
I can't quite make out the second picture - but make sure that anything that should turn is free to turn (ie check it with the blade out of the way) - bearings can easily get seized up with dust.
If there is a bearing behind the blade, with its flat side facing forwards, then the back edge of the blade should just touch it when there is a little pressure on it, making a cut. It should spin freely.

 

[Anima]

Mine used to that.
Check that the table is at right angles to the blade.
Check the fence is at right angles to the table.
Vacuum and soak moving parts in wd40 the wipe and dry.
Check that your wheel alignment is correct by spinning the wheels by hand and ensuring the blade doesn't wander. (Clearly do this unplugged)
As Andy said the guides need to be a gnat's pube off the blade. I used kitchen paper to do this.
Check the blade tension. Tuffsaws will be able to advise you on this.

There are quite a few videos on YouTube that might help. A bandsaw will only work correctly if everything is aligned, tightened and lubricated perfectly.

Post back and let us know how you got on.

 

[beech1948]

from your picture the guides are not aligned properly and could damage your blade.

The advice above is good but to repeat.

1) Clean ALL guides thoroughly
2) Check and align wheels
3) Set bearing or rear support on top guides about 1/8th of an inch or slightly less behind the blade. Ensure bearing or rear support are clean and faces are square
4) Remove side guides, polish with say 320 grit sandpaper and ensure faces which will be alongside the blade are square if not rub them on sandpaper until square.
5) Reassemble side guides and make SURE guide is behind the teeth but within an A4 papers thickness of the blade- maybe use a piece of A4 80 gsm paper to check each side
6) repeat with lower guides
7) apply tension to blade - if its a 1/2 inch blade tension for 3/4 inch.

If you need more help just ask here with a few pictures and someone will give you a guide.

best of luck
Al

 

[jackal]

Thanks for the advice. I have took them off and it appears they are past their best, sticking and grooved by the band. Is it normal for the roller guides to be mounted in the same direction as phenolic type as it seems strange to me.

Another problem I think is the upper casing which the guide is mounted twists a bit too much.

can anyone advice on a good reasonble priced set of guides

thanks

Bonne Annee

 

[Eric The Viking]

It does look like someone has assembled it incorrectly at some point.

I'd agree - either they're rollers or they're supposed to be blocks. The bars they're fixed to ought to run front-back.

Can you take a picture from the side?

E.

 

[jackal]

thanks for the comments and advice. I have decided to make a new set of roller guides with micro adjustment but some thought needs to made on the design. Another problem is the amount of movement in the top half of the chassi which can't help.