Help needed with first Bandsaw

[peps1]

Iv just got my first bandsaw, a Charnwood W715 10'' Woodworking Bandsaw.

Trouble is I cant get it to cut though 45mm plywood without running out of puff!? (and that trying to cut really REALLY slow)

Is this normal for a 375w saw, or have I set it up totally wrong?

 

[Frank S]

There are two things you need.
First, the bandsaw DVD from Steve Maskray,and second, a good blade from Tuff Saws,Email Ian at Tuff Saws and he will sort you out,lovely man and full of knowledge. Best of luck.
Frank.

 

[devonwoody]

Have you cut another timber 2" thick and still got the same problem.

You have a low power machine and plywood can be a problem to cut.

Also the blade is the most important part of the tool at the end of the day.

 

[Grahamshed]

I cannot argue with either of the above suggestions but 375 watts does seem rather limited in my inexperienced opinion ( I've only had my bandsaw a couple of months )

 

[Peter T]

My 550Watt Axi bandsaw easily cuts through 8 inch thick oak.

Assuming the machine is setup reasonably well and nothing is binding, sounds like you need another blade.

I think it's been said before but it bears repeating; three most important things in buying bandsaw blades -

Tuff Saws, Tuff Saws, Tuff Saws!

Good luck,

 

[Steve Maskery]

Although that is a small saw, it should cope easily with 45mm of anything. What blade are you using? How wide is it, how many TPI does it have? Have you set up the tracking and tension correctly? Are the teeth pointing in the right direction? I know that sounds daft, but I went to one recently where they were really struggling and it was because the blade was on inside out.
S

 

[mbartlett99]

Alongwith the above very sensible suggestions there is a weird one to try. My Scheppach started acting up and grinding to a halt despite being easily powerful enough to do the job; at first I thought electrical issue but the issue was the guides, I'd adjusted them properly but they had moved - perhaps temperature - and had bound the blade up. Only took the tiniest adjustment to back them off and all was well again. I did have another issue with the blade guard springing up and rubbing on the wheel which brought things to a halt, although that one did make enough noise for me to know what it was immediately. So, perhaps just freewheel it by hand (unplug first obviously) and listen for any rubbing noises.

 

[Richard T]

Hi Peps and welcome.

The blade that came with my Charnwood was crrrr - rubbish.

Have a look at tuffsaws web site - there is lots of info about what blades are good for what. And if your mind is boggled by the choice, ask Ian.

From endless recommendation, the blades are excellent and I shall be ordering my next from there.

 

[peps1]

So it turns out my motor belt was just really loose, so slipping under any tension......how embarrassing!

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out, I will follow the recommendation and get a new blade from tuffsaws now.

 

[peps1]

Just ordered from Ian at Tuff Saws, what a nice and helpful guy!

 

[loz]

blade was on inside out.
S

LOL - iv'e done this myself