Problem setting up Jet JWBS-16 bandsaw

[Kev]

I am pulling my hair out! Which at my age starts to run the risk of it not growing back. :?

About a year or so ago I bought a new Jet JWBS-16 bandsaw with a view to setting up a new workshop in my new house. Due to delays in getting the said workshop up and running I am only now ready to start using it. However I have a problem.

When I try and cut any wood using the fence the blade is getting pushed to the right away from the fence quite severely and hence is impossible to cut a straight line as well as putting significant tension on the blade as the blade is effectively kinking as it cuts through the wood.

I have rechecked the guide wheels both top and bottom to make sure they are not to far away from the blade, and re-tensioned the blade to make sure that is correct and have checked the fence for square as thought that may be the main problem if the back end of the fence was leaning towards the blade. I have run out of ideas.

Am I missing something very obvious or doing something very wrong. At the moment I have a big piece of kit that is sitting there un-used which is very frustrating as I am sure you can appreciate.

 

[Recky33]

Does it cut ok without using the fence,and your sure its tracking ok, if so then it sounds like blade drift, get a piece of ply/mdf at least 3" wide with one face cut straight, draw a line down it 1 1/2" in from that edge back the fence well out of the way and cut down the line free hand to about half way, you will notice that the board has moved to a different angle from where it started and is no longer parallel to the fence, put a clamp on it so it doesn't move or draw in pencil along the straight edge onto your table, now you need to move your fence so its parallel to the line/ board and thats it, problem is you will have to do that to every new blade you put on the machine as they all have their own set.

HTH

Allan

 

[tjwoodms]

it sounds to me like your guides although you have checked them arnt quite rite
when you set the guides they should be as close as you can get to the blade without touching a piece of paper offers a good setting guide
also make sure you have theguides set as low as posible

even if the tyres are worn or incorrectly fitted that woudlnt cause the blade to wander left or right more than a few mm you would have more of a front to rear motion

It could also be worth checking the wheel bearings for play i have come accross new jet bandsaws with over size bearing bores allowing slop in the wheels (although you would have to be fairly unlucky)

I have to appologise for any mistakes im at the bottom of a bottle of wine and my fingers dont seem to be working quite ritw

 

[Steve Maskery]

The problem is almost certainly that it is not set up right, rather than any fault with the machine.

1. Make sure you are using the right blade for the job and the blade is good quality. Many people here recommend Ian John at Tuffsaws. He will sell you what, and only what, you need.

2. Make sure that the bottom wheel is adjusted properly. This is usually done with a spanner

3 Track the top wheel properly

4 Set the guide bearings and thrust bearings so that the blade is supported but the teeth are not fouled.

It should now cut straight. If it doesn't, you don't have the tracking set properly. You can twist the fence to compensate for poor tracking, but it really is a second-best option. Much better to eliminate it, otherwise you will get poor results when cross-cutting.

If you search here for bandsaw setup you wi;ll find all you ever needed to know and more besides.

HTH
Steve

 

[OLD]

Does the blade 'twang' is properly tensioned, i had a blade that was made too long once, so tensioning just compressed the spring it would not cut properly. I cut a washer to a C and fitted above the spring happy days.

 

[Kev]

Thanks guyd. I will try setting it up again. Think I have the guides close enough, as you say a piece of paper was used to set these. Will try again with the tracking although this does seem to be running true, the blade is certainly not wandering over the wheel.

I take your point over the blade, it still has the blade that it came with as not had chance yet to order a new one as only just started using it. Will also try the 3" piece of board test to see if it wanders.

Will keep you posted on the progress.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Kev
The fact that the blade is not "wandering over the wheel" does not mean that it is tracked properly!
I still think that your fundamental problem is setup.
S