Problem with bandsaw.

[woodfarmer]

Hi
I have a Fox bandsaw which is probably the worst made machine I have ever seen. But now I have a problem which may well be my own fault.
A couple of weeks ago whilst cutting split firewood logs there was a heavy thump followed by a screeching noise. I think the log moved as it had no real flat surface to put on the table, and the band had been forced to twist and the back edge of the band had slid down the side of the rear thrust bearing. Sadly taking off all the teeth on the right hand side. so it will now only cut 2 inch diameter washers
I replaced the ruined blade with the one that originally came with the saw. It was cutting pretty good, much better than when I first took delivery of the saw. the adjustments from Mr Snodgrass clearly work well.
Today had a similar thing. big thump, and blade ruined. For the previous 3-4 months I had been using it with an m42 blade to cut recovered timber which it did well. but changed blade shortly before the first one was ruined.
I am not sure now if this is happening because the rough shape of the firewood 4-5" split oak logs allows the wood to rock and bind. or is maybe the tension is now not correct. Or should I not use it for this type of cutting at all?
Don't want to blame the saw if it is my bad practices causing the problem. But I also don't want to continue eating two blades in less than two weeks.
I have the front edge of the bearings just below the gullets of the teeth.

 

[sunnybob]

As an ex-Fox bandsaw owner, I commiserate.
But if that wood is still in the round state, then yes, its your fault. You must either chock the wood securely or make or buy something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb1QC-Zv2PI

 

[Alexam]

I think you know it's your fault. No bandsaw will work well, or at all with timber that is not set in position so that the blade can cut in one direction only. It won't take you long to put a sled together like the one in the video.

Malcolm

 

[hammer n nails]

I got rid of my fox bandsaw for a metabo best thing I ever did

 

[Steve Maskery]

As well as wrecking your blades, what you have been doing is potentially dangerous, too. The downward forces of the blade are considerable. It would not be able to cut wood if they were not. And because the workpiece is not stable it will tip, as you have found out. But you can easily get your fingers trapped and it hurts. Trust me, I'm an expert*.
All round stock, whether it is being ripped or crosscut, should be held securely in a cradle or fastened to something that is stable.

*Definition of an expert - someone who has made lots and lots of mistakes.

 

[donwatson]

Any kind of clamp or G-clamp, if you clamp to the wood and turn the head of the clamp down against the table it should stop the wood turning

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Stop the wood turning? You'd stop it moving altogether, surely?

 

[CHJ]

Stop the wood turning? You'd stop it moving altogether, surely?

If you slam on the brakes on your car and lock the wheels so they stop rotating they still slide along
Your not clamping to the table, just wedging it so that it can't be spun by the blade.

 

[woodfarmer]

Thanks guys...... although I hate the bandsaw i had to give it a bit of credit this time. won't be cutting anything unstable from now on and will wind up the tension a little,

I had intended to rebuild it replacing all the working bits except the wheels, but my severe heart attack last year has put paid to most of my plans.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Stop the wood turning? You'd stop it moving altogether, surely?

If you slam on the brakes on your car and lock the wheels so they stop rotating they still slide along
Your not clamping to the table, just wedging it so that it can't be spun by the blade.

Yes - I was a little slow, there.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Another good way I've found is to hot melt bits of scrap in the right places - you can fiddle the scrap around to get the cut in exactly the plane that you wish. Hot melt is also good for quickly sticking tiny bits - plugs etc. to larger pieces to hold them safely while cutting.

 

[sunnybob]

Thanks guys...... although I hate the bandsaw i had to give it a bit of credit this time. won't be cutting anything unstable from now on and will wind up the tension a little,

I had intended to rebuild it replacing all the working bits except the wheels, but my severe heart attack last year has put paid to most of my plans.

Truly, dont waste your time on it. I modified most of that bandsaw, it was still not fit for purpose.
Just buy another make, and while youre there, go large on that.
I am happy with my axminster 350, even though it still needs constant attention, at least I can produce work on it.