Bandsaw question, what does this gauge represent?

[justinpeer]

I picked up an old Meber bandsaw that works well but is in need of some tic. I've not been able to find a proper manual online, just an exploded diagram so I'm not sure what the 10-15-20 means on this gauge, which looks to be blade tension related but I'm not sure if it's percentage of something like wear or how tension should be set relative to it. Has anyone seen anything like it before?

The saw in question, needs some cleanup and fettling which is a winter project.

 

[MorrisWoodman12]

Blade width??????? Not that I know anything about it.

 

[Jacob]

I guess blade tension guide. Have something similar on my Startrite 352.
Easy to find out just wind the tension up and down and see if it changes (assuming it is in working order of course!)

 

[woodbutcher2]

Blade width??????? Not that I know anything about it.

Blade tension indicator ?

 

[justinpeer]

Yes, figured it was a tension indicator but wondered what the numbers actually meant.

@MorrisWoodman12 that might be a good call, if it's blade width in mm.

 

[Jacob]

Yes, figured it was a tension indicator but wondered what the numbers actually meant.

Probably just relative tension - mine has low/medium/high on the scale.

@MorrisWoodman12 that might be a good call, if it's blade width in mm.

 

[Terrytpot]

Would strike me as an indicator of how much tension to apply for a specific blade width and assuming the white line is the moving part of the scale it’s currently in a position that would be appropriate for about a 35mm wide blade which I’m guessing is a bit beyond its capability to tension so there is either no blade fitted or it’s being stretched far too much.

 

[justinpeer]

Unwound the tension to the point the blade can be slid off and the gauge is at this position

Put a reasonable amount of tension on it and it’s here

Still need to learn what the correct amount of tension should be but I think I’ve leaned that basically the gauge is meaningless

 

[MikeJhn]

The blade and tension adjustment will only give an indication and needs the correct length blade for that machine, get in touch with Tuffsaws they will tell you what blade should be on that machine.

 

[justinpeer]

The blade and tension adjustment will only give an indication and needs the correct length blade for that machine, get in touch with Tuffsaws they will tell you what blade should be on that machine.

I spoke with Tuffsaws when I got the machine and have three blades from them of the correct length

 

[Sachakins]

The rubbers on the wheels might have worn down, so need to move further to tension.

 

[ChaiLatte]

Posting 84 photos of the same part of the machine is unlikely to solve the mystery. Follow the bowden cable to its other end and start snapping there.

 

[Spectric]

but I think I’ve leaned that basically the gauge is meaningless

A good lesson learnt, often the tension shown is not sufficient for the blade and even what the manufacturer states as the max blade width is too large to actually tension correctly, I have found the Record BS400 can tension a 3/4 blade but not a 1 inch which it is supposed to take.

 

[justinpeer]

Posting 84 photos of the same part of the machine is unlikely to solve the mystery. Follow the bowden cable to its other end and start snapping there.

I already know what the cable does as the gauge changes with the blade tensioning knob, I was trying to find out what the numbers might mean.

 

[MikeJhn]

What the numbers where supposed to represent was the blade width at the tension shown on the gauge, but as others have said all of them are a rough guide only, if you have the correct blade length and it slips off the wheel then you have a far more fundamental problem than trying to get the gauge reading correctly, look at the wheel carriers top and bottom especially the bearings, does this bandsaw have a blade tension release lever?

 

[Sachakins]

With tension fully off, is the indicator at the the bottom mark or is it starting above lowest mark?

 

[John Brown]

I could be wrong, but certainly on my little Inca, the gauge is an indicator of how much the spring is compressed, which I would've thought was independent of the blade length (within reason).
In any event, I've never really taken a lot of notice of it, preferring to twang the blade, even though, when I first acquired the saw, I went to the trouble of fitting a little perspex window, so that the gauge is visible with the covers on.

 

[Jacob]

Unwound the tension to the point the blade can be slid off and the gauge is at this position

View attachment 190294

Put a reasonable amount of tension on it and it’s here
View attachment 190295

Still need to learn what the correct amount of tension should be but I think I’ve leaned that basically the gauge is meaningless

The correct amount of tension is basically just enough to stop the blade from slipping under load, for the job in hand, plus a little more.
Gauge seems to working fine! It's a relative indicator and not an absolute measure. Looks like you could adjust it if you want it to stay within the scale

 

[Sachakins]

Unwound the tension to the point the blade can be slid off and the gauge is at this position

Missed that quote.
Can you adjust the cable to put the gauge to the bottom mark then try again?

 

[justinpeer]

What the numbers where supposed to represent was the blade width at the tension shown on the gauge, but as others have said all of them are a rough guide only, if you have the correct blade length and it slips off the wheel then you have a far more fundamental problem than trying to get the gauge reading correctly, look at the wheel carriers top and bottom especially the bearings, does this bandsaw have a blade tension release lever?

No, there’s no tension relief lever on this saw