bandsaw slacken or not to slacken ?

[King Corragate]

Some say you should slacken the blade when not using the saw others say its ok to leave on. the reason is i'm upgrading to a much larger saw (prob Startrite 502).but for similar cost can get a saw with quick release as to saw is not use all the time I can see the convenience of this.I welcome your comments.
Gary.

 

[head clansman]

hi gary

I suppose it depends really on how much you use it , if in regular use then i say no need to , but if its, like mine now and again when i need it mine is from axminster and has the quick release also, I use it , but if your like me only now and again, hang a notice on the front of the band saw reminding you to tighten up and lock it before you use it. hc

 

[speed]

i also have a axminster and i relise tension,
it sposed to keep the rubber on the wheels in good condition iirc

 

[OPJ]

I only tend to release the tension now when I know I'm not going to be using the saw (or, in the workshop) for at least a couple of days.

I've now got a Startrite 401E, which does not have a quick-release lever (not sure about the other models?). This isn't as much of a disadvantage as you may think... The tensioning wheel is large and robust enough than you can slacken a wide blade easily within seconds. Re-tensioning isn't much trouble either as the gauge is pretty reliable.

 

[King Corragate]

thank you for your comments.
Gary

 

[Jonzjob]

I've had a Startrite 301s, the baby, for about 14 years and I always use a 1/4" 6 skip blade and unless I am away for several days I have never lessened the blade tension. When I do I have a magnetic lable that I stick on the face of the saw.

The 301s doesn't have a quick release.

I have not had any problems with my machine and it is probably the most used machine in my workshop. It even cuts the small, 3", firewood..

 

[devonwoody]

For someone like me, 6 months out of the shed, definitely release tension, and in the summer if more than 3 days are going without use I would release, but I suppose I am wearing out the thread on that tension bolt, I've heard of those Record machines having the thread stripped.

 

[miles_hot]

don't you have to go through all the hassle of re-tracking the blade if you de and the re tension the blade as the chances of getting the tension exactly the same each time is close to nill unless you have a very good gauge (which I don't)?

Miles

 

[Martingchapman]

I have had a Record RSBS14 bandsaw for about 5 years, it does not have a quick tension release facility so consequently the tension never gets released.
As an amateur (with a full time family and job) I only get in the workshop once a week and sometimes I don't get in there for up to a month.
I have not seen any degradation/deformation of the tyres or the blade.
I do try and run the bandsaw whenever I go into the workshop, even if I have nothing to cut I just let it run for a couple of minutes (I do the same with my lathe) and this seems to keep it sweet.
To date I have changed the blade a couple of time, but only because it was blunt, not distorted or broken.

Martin.

 

[Boz62]

The only time I've had a blade break was in the days when I did release the tension every time after use. Now I leave it tensioned all the time, despite irregular use, and have not had any more problems.

Boz

 

[woodbloke]

I have a Euro 260 in my 'shop and have never released the tension on any blade...and I have never in all the time I've owned it, had a blade break. Tension 'on' at all times, leave the saw alone, don't fiddle with it once it's set and it ought to be fine - Rob

 

[Jonzjob]

don't you have to go through all the hassle of re-tracking the blade if you de and the re tension the blade as the chances of getting the tension exactly the same each time is close to nill unless you have a very good gauge (which I don't)?

Miles

Miles, don't you check the tension by getting the right note when you 'ping' it?

I have had blades break, but as I said I use a 1/4" 6 skip and tend to cut a fair amount of tight curves, down to 3/4" rad.

I also tend to use a diamond stone against the back edges of the blade to take the sharpness off and make cutting curves easier.

 

[paulm]

Have had my startrite 351 for years, usually fitted with 3/4 or 1" blades, used intermittently, sometimes not for weeks at a time and have never slackened the tension off unless changing blades.

No evidence of causing any flat spots on tyres or causing blade failure........

Cheers, Paul

 

[The Shark]

Hi Gary,
My reply is going to sound very similar to Martin's.
I am a hobbyist with a Record RSBS12, without a quick release facility. With work and family commitments, it is sometimes weeks between usage of the bandsaw in anger.
I do, however, also turn it on for a couple of minutes whenever I can.

I never slacken the tension, and to date have had no problems.

Hope you make the right decision!

Malc

 

[woodbloke]

The question that's pertinent here is 'would they be slackened off in a trade 'shop?'
The answer is 'no'...so keep the tension on the blade 24/7 - Rob

 

[miles_hot]

don't you have to go through all the hassle of re-tracking the blade if you de and the re tension the blade as the chances of getting the tension exactly the same each time is close to nill unless you have a very good gauge (which I don't)?

Miles

Miles, don't you check the tension by getting the right note when you 'ping' it?

I have had blades break, but as I said I use a 1/4" 6 skip and tend to cut a fair amount of tight curves, down to 3/4" rad.

I also tend to use a diamond stone against the back edges of the blade to take the sharpness off and make cutting curves easier.

Yes, but I don't remember the note well enough

miles

 

[OPJ]

I've always thought this was more of an issue as to what damage could be done to the tyres or frame (particularly on a cheap, Chinese saw), rather than the blade itself. I've found blades only tend to break when they become overheated (usually because they're dull, should've been replaced hours ago and I'm forcing the cut... ).

 

[big soft moose]

I never take the tension off my baby rexon (other than when changing blades obviously) and it seems okay thus far - the main reason i dont is i know damn well that sooner or later i'd start it without remembering to retension the blade first.