Bandsaw blade tension

[RogerP]

I've just had a look at the H&S for bandsaws usage and they say the blade tension must be released at the end of each working day, whereas Axminster say ...

"Do not release the tension on the saw blade when work is complete. The blades and the main saw
frame do not respond kindly to constant changes in stress and tension. Only release the tension to
change the blade or if the blade is to be removed because the machine is to be ‘mothballed’ for a
lengthy time period. (The blade in tension over a long period of non-use will cause the tyres to
develop ‘flat’ spots)."

So who right?

 

[DaveyP]

Both.. lol

But IMHO Axminster is more right for practical usage where the user has more than 2 brain cells.

The usage of large bandsaws (like tank track size may require the H&S approach)

The H&S are just concerned on shifting blame, so a blade that's about to break may be better to break whilst its stationary and adjusting the tension rather than break when switched on.

 

[Fred Page]

Common sense tells me to release tension at end of every bandsaw session. I do.
Fred.

 

[custard]

It's a good question.

I too release bandsaw tension at the end of each day (after all, why else did the manufacturer include a quick tensioner?). But what part of the machine am I protecting? The blade, the bandsaw's frame, the bandsaw's tensioning mechanism, or the tyres? The more I think about it the only real candidate is the tyres, everything else should be able to take the strain indefinitely without hardship. Shouldn't it?