BS Tune up

[Rob V]

Its pretty amazing what a tune up will do.

Ive had my bandsaw for about 2 years now and it has always been just an OK tool to me. About 3 months ago I picked up a riser block for it b/c I had some nice thick boards I wanted to resaw. I installed the block and the stock blade and went for it - results were less than impressive to say the least. I knew not to expect miracles but the results were pretty dissapointing. I really didnt have too much time to mess w/ it so I just kind of made due w/ it as is. Getting more and more pissed each time I had to use it. The other week I was in the local woodcraft store where they had timberwolf blades on sale so I spoke w/ one of the guys there and explained what I wanted to do and the kind of saw I had (Jet 14 closed base) - he recommended a blade and off I went. (Driveby - neener : I learned how to twist the BS blade into that cool little loop ) I finally had some time today so I spent the better part of 2 hours installing the new blade and tuning up the saw to the Nth degree. Also - replaced the stock guides w/ some hardwood ones soaked in WD40 (thanks for the suggestion). Any way - after it was all done - I figured it was time to try it again - worked like a dream. I was able to slice off a nice 1/8" x 8" x3 foot long of poplar on the first try =) Holly Crap was pretty much all I could think of - I should have done this a long time ago.

Its amazing the difference a good tune up will do to your tools.

Just figured Id post this for all those procrastinators out there =)

[Gerald Ross]

[Preston Andreas]

I did the same thing he did, only I put on an old blade. I thought it was dull and it cut a bow in wood when resawing. After the tune up, the blade cut like it was new and it cut straight. I attribute most of it to getting the upper and lower wheels coplanar. It really does make a difference.

[Luigi Zanasi]

On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 23:10:08 GMT, "Rob V" scribbled

I've been procrastinating for 11-12 years or so to fix up my ca. 1952 Delta Milwaukee (Thanks, Keith, for the list of serial #s and dates on OWWM) 14" bandsaw. I finally ordered new blades and cool-blocks from LVT and a tension spring and tires from Ace Tool Repair in Smithers (which is practically next door to me, close to the southern end of the Stewart-Cassiar dirt t^H^H^H^H^H^H highway).

Luigi Replace "no" with "yk" twice in reply address for real email address

"Man is a tool-using animal. Weak in himself and of small stature, he stands on a basis of some half-square foot, has to straddle out his legs lest the very winds supplant him. Nevertheless, he can use tools, can devise tools: with these the granite mountain melts into light dust before him: seas are his smooth highway, winds and fire his unwearying steeds. Nowhere do you find him without tools. Without tools he is nothing: with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle

[Unisaw A100]

Yahbut, did you actually go there, see it, smell the cosmolene? Reason I ask is I want to know, is it as good as I always envisioned?

UA100, wondering about a pilgrimage to Ace Tool Repair...

[Mo' Sawdust]

At least now the Stewart portion is closer to valley floor. And two lanes. ;-)

[Luigi Zanasi]

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:20:51 GMT, Unisaw A100 queried:

By practically next door, I mean about only 1,200 kilometres. Last time I went through Smithers was in 1990 or thereabouts, so, sorry, the answers your questions are, unfortunately, since Ace Tool Repair did not exist then: no and I don't know.

Luigi Replace "no" with "yk" twice in reply address for real email address

"Man is a tool-using animal. Weak in himself and of small stature, he stands on a basis of some half-square foot, has to straddle out his legs lest the very winds supplant him. Nevertheless, he can use tools, can devise tools: with these the granite mountain melts into light dust before him: seas are his smooth highway, winds and fire his unwearying steeds. Nowhere do you find him without tools. Without tools he is nothing: with tools he is all." Thomas Carlyle