Bandsaw blade set up - DW876

[MarkC]

Help!

I bought a second had Dewalt DW876 for my weekend woodworking (including one very long in construction boat).

I have had real trouble getting the blade to run in the centre of the top tyre. When I adjust the tracking and get the blade in the centre of the top tyre it will not clear the lower blade guide. I have moved the lower guide as far back as it will go, but it is still too far forward and the metal blocks snag the teeth.

I am using a 3/8'' blade 6tpi. The saw does run OK if I have the blade running on the front edge of the top tyre, but all of the books and websites seem to suggest this is wrong. This would be the easiest solution.

All suggestions very welcome as I am confused.

Many thanks

Mark

 

[Steve Maskery]

Sometime there really isn't as much adjustment on these smaller machines as one would wish.
Some manufacturers actually suggest running off the top front edge. I've never really got to the bottom of why they do this (and I have tried to find out). The bottom line is how well does it cut? If it is still cutting true north when you have it as far as you can, even if it is not right in the middle, then you have it right. If you can't get the blade guides back far enough, what is stopping them? Have you just run out of room? Is it part of the guard that is stopping you going back further? I have chopped a bit of the guard away on a bandsaw before now, just to get enough travel to eliminate drift.

If, at the end of the day, you cannot eliminate drift, then you have no choice but to compensate for it by skewing your rip fence, but it is a very second-best solution, really, as it doesn't help with any cross-cutting.
S

 

[Silverbirch]

"Grayorm" posted this link in the Jigs & Tips section:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

He has a slightly different take on bandsaw setup which you might find helpful. He certainly appears to get good results.

Ian

 

[MarkC]

Thanks for your help. I checked the wheels were coplaner etc etc. I moved the tracking so the blade was in the middle of the top tyre and then made blocks for the bottom guide out of oak. By custom making them I can get the blade to clear the guides.

Much happy toy making...

Many thanks

Mark