That's why I don't use the flutter method for tensioning blades. Some BSers "tune" their blade to acertain musical note. Although I used to play the violin most of us aren't musically inclined. Instead I use a similar method but the goal is not listening for a certain note, but rather listening for a certain "quality" in sound. First, back off the upper and lower guides. As you turn the tension knob pluck the blade. At first it's going to make a loose "twang" sound...like a loose guitar string. Keep turning the knob while plucking till the blade makes a nice, tight "ping" sound. Loosen and retighten the knob till you find this transistion (with practice you won't have to do this). When the blade is making a nice tight ping sound give the tension knob a 1/4 or 1/2 turn.
Hope this helps,
Layne
Can someone else who's a fan of the flutter method for setting tension on a
>Low Tension (TimberWolf) blade give me a pointer? I'm tensioning a 1/2" >blade. >
>1. First, install blade, back off all guides.
>2. "Over" Tension blade by setting tension to 1/2" mark on bandsaw scale.
>3. Slowly de-tension blade until flutter starts.
>4. Re-tension blade until flutter stops.
>5. Add 1/2 to full turn for final tension.
>
>I'm OK until step 4.
>In Step 3 I'm de-tensioning 1/2 turn - and pausing - waiting for flutter to >start. >
>Once it starts, it seems like I have to put *several* turns of tension on
>before the flutter stops.
>Q1: Kind'a odd - since it started with a 1/2 turn of de-tension. Seems to me
>it would only take a 1/2 turn or so of tension to make the flutter stop, >right? >
>At step 4, with the flutter stopped - it seems like if I add another turn or
>so - I can get the flutter to start again!
>Q2: Does this mean the "first flutter stop" was a false stop? And I need to
>tension past this flutter?
>
>It's that second flutter appearing that's throwing me for a loop - do I keep
>tensioning, or was the first flutter stop the set point?
>
>Thanks!
>