Bandsaw tracking problem

[brianhabby]

I've been having trouble tracking the blade on my bandsaw and wonder if anyone can help. My machine is an Axi SBW3501B 14" model and I am using a 1/8" blade from Tuff Saws. I use these blades for my bandsaw boxes which have some tight turns.

No matter what I do I cannot seem to get the blade to stay central any more. I've used these blades a lot in the past with no problems so am thinking something is now amiss. It didn't help this morning that it was so hot in the workshop and this problem was just getting me more & more hot under the collar

Is it likely to be the wrong tension and if so is it likely to be too low or too high?

Could the crud on the wheel be causing the problem? I've cleaned it as best I can with a damp rag but am reluctant to use anything stronger or abrasive.

Any & all help appreciated,

regards

Brian

 

[wallace]

Do the tyres on the wheel have signs of wear? You mentioned crud on the wheels. The tyres are supposed to be slightly crowned for the blade to track properly. I had to re-crown the tyres on the saw I restored recently, its quite easy to do with some sand paper on a stick. Mine were quite bad so I used a turning chisel.
HTH
Mark

 

[brianhabby]

Thanks for your reply Mark,

To me the tyres appear to be in reasonable condition but then I've no real experience of worn tyres to compare them with. I have included a couple of photos below, one with the blade in position and one with it romoved. You will see there isn't much crud (is that a even a proper word?) on the tyres. What should I clean them with?

regards

Brian

 

[wizard]

try a new blade that one looks a mess

 

[wallace]

I cant really tell but the tyres are supposed to very slightly rounded, this makes the blade ride to the top and stay central. Maybe as said try a new blade first and then you'll know if its the machine

 

[brianhabby]

I spoke to Ian at TuffSaws and he said to clean the blade with paraffin to see if that helps but I've also ordered another couple of blades to be on the safe side. So that mucky blade is now soaking in paraffin. I had been cutting some green wood with it last week so I guess it got a bit gummed up

I also spoke to a guy at Axminster but he could offer no real help other than to suggest not to use anything more aggressive than a damp cloth to clean the tyres.

I think the tyres are slightly rounded as they should be but it doesn't really show on the photos.

I'll see what happens with a clean or new blade & report back,

Thank for all the input so far,

regards

Brian

 

[CHJ]

Those tyres look fine to me, as far as crowning is concerned then as you have such a narrow blade I suspect it is going to be rather critical on adjustment as it is going to drop off best position very easily as there is little width of blade to seat on any high spot, I suspect the blade teeth will have more of an influence on running position than with a wider blade.

You mentioned that it was very hot in your workshop, give due allowance to the fact that metal components and other materials influencing adjustments will be affected.