Startrite 401s bandsaw help

[Chris B]

Hello very one joined the form today so thought I would start the ball rolling with a question I have a startrite 401s band saw which I brought new some years a go it has the ceramic guides ever since I've had the saw I've never been able to get it to run to it full potential I've watched numerous videos but still no joy done all the moral checks etc
I watch videos with people slicing through timber like butter o I wish


Problems
Saw always sounds like its struggling even on 1 inch timber
Saw is very noisy when running not cutting wood
Never been able to cut thin veneers


Chris

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Welcome. I can rip 7" hardwood with a saw that was a tenth of that price, so something's obviously wrong. Others will recommend a DVD by Steve Maskery (I can't, only because I've not seen it!) and that you get some blades from Tuffsaws. These I can recommend, as I have some. What's the blade on it at the moment? I'll leave someone with a similar saw to try to help you more.

 

[wizard]

It will be the blade not the saw, even a new cheap blade will not cut

 

[Aden30mm]

Hi Chris

I've also got a 401e. Its been a great buy, it cuts 12 inch thick hardwood with no effort. I only have the standard guide block, which is easy to set up and keeps its setting.

You indicated that you have carried out all checks. One problem may be that you are not putting the correct tension on the blade(the machine need to tension on the blades), but remember to take off the tension at the end of the day. Perhaps the wheels are not in correct alignment. If you only had the saw for a few years I doubt if its a bearing issue (if you bought it from new), but it could be a problem. I don't know what blade you are using but that may be part of the problem as well.

There is some great advice on this forum, but Record Power were wonderful when I first received my machine, helping me to sort out some small glitches, maybe worth giving them a call.

Its a great machine perhaps my best buy for my workshop.

Rgs

Aden

 

[Alexam]

Hi Chris,

It's all a question of tuning your bandsaw to make it run smoothly. This video will do he trick for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU

You also need good blades and Tuffsaw blades are the ones to use. Ian Black is very helpful and can advise you what you need. http://tuffsaws.co.uk/

Good luck
Alex

 

[Chris B]

Hi All


Thanks for all your replies i will look out for this video at the moment iam using a blade supplied by Bedford saw company cost me around £20 ish for a 25mm blade my understanding is they only do one quality of blabe but in different widths and teeth configuration


My location is Sandy Bedfordshire



Thanks


Chris

 

[paulm]

Saw always sounds like its struggling even on 1 inch timber
Saw is very noisy when running not cutting wood
Chris

Hi Chris,

What kind of noises and where from ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[Chris B]

Hi Paul the nose is at its worst when the blade guides are set in place as instructed by videos l set them with a thin piece of paper real grinding nose metal on metal, but there is no metal in contact with the blade


Chris

 

[paulm]

Hi Chris,

I'm not familiar with the ceramic guides specifically but on the guides above the table you will have a ceramic guide on either side of the blade, which it sounds like you have adjusted correctly. Have you adjusted the guide behind the blade also ? This should likewise be set with a small space between it and the blade although I'm not sure how a big a gap.

There should be a similar set of guides, side and back, below the table also, have you set those likewise ?

Sorry if you know all this already, I'm not sure of your level of experience with it so just trying to check the simple things first !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Alexam]

Hi Chris,

have you tried turning the wheels (plug out of course) and then hearing the grinding noise. I had something similar with an old DeWalt bandsaw and found that there was a very slight touching with the metal safety guide above the guides area and I corrected it. Presumably you have the blade centred on the top wheel, as it should be (gullet in the centre as shown on the video)

 

[Chris B]

Thanks every one I will have a play over the weekend and report back


Thanks


Chris

 

[Chris B]

Thanks for everybody's advise on this cut my first straight cut of 6 inch timber perfect