The Best Way to Set Up a Bandsaw!
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- Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
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Back in 2007, I posted a video on Bandsaw Setup. The method I demonstrated was one I learned from other woodworkers as well as numerous books and manuals. While the method works perfectly, it overcomplicates things and employs a couple of unnecessary steps, namely achieving coplanarity of the wheels and eliminating drift. Four years later, I became aware of a video from The Woodworking Shows featuring Alex Snodgrass and his simpler (and nearly foolproof) method for bandsaw tuneup. I have since become friendly with Alex and asked him if he'd be willing to come out to my shop to film his setup method. He agreed and here we are! I can say without a doubt that this is the BEST way to set up a bandsaw.
Align the Blade
Install the blade and apply just enough tension to keep the blade securely on the wheels. Use the tracking adjustment while turning the wheel by hand to line up the deepest part of the gullet with the center of the top wheel.
Tension the Blade
You can usually ignore the tenon meter on most bandsaws as they are notoriously inaccurate. Instead, tension the blade until your finger is only able to deflect the blade by about 1/4". This test should be done at the back of the saw where nothing can get in the way of the blade. The amount of pressure you apply to the blade shouldn't result in turning your finger white. If that happens, you're pushing too hard. After the tension is set, make sure the blade is still tracking properly with the gullet in the center of the top wheel.
Side Guides (Front to Back)
The front of the side guides should be located about 1/16" back from the deepest part of the blade gullets. You don't want the side guides to contact the cutting teeth of the blade since the teeth flare out at a slight angle. This adjustment is made to both the top and bottom guides.
Thrust Bearings
Adjust the thrust bearings carefully so that they do NOT rotate while the blade moves, but they DO begin to rotate as soon as light pressure is applied to the blade. Spend the necessary time to get this adjustment just right. Of course, you'll do this adjustment to both the top and bottom guides.
Side Guides (Side to Side)
Just like the thrust bearing adjustment, the side guides should be as close to the blade as possible without actually touching. So when the blade moves the bearings should be stationary. When a slight amount of pressure is applied to the blade as its moving, the bearings should spin.
Square the Table
Using a 2x4 or 2x6, make a partial cut into the face of the board. Turn the saw off, flip the board around and try to get the blade to slide into the cut slot. If it slides in easily and without resistance, we know the table is 90 degrees to the blade. If it doesn't slide in, make adjustments to the table and cut/test again. The wider the board is, the more accurate this test will be.
Align the Fence
The fence can be aligned parallel with the body of the blade using nothing more than a ruler. Be sure the ruler is resting on the body of the blade between the teeth. With a long enough ruler you can easily align the fence by eye. Alex shows us the F.A.S.T system which is a simple and convenient way to do this same task.
Test Cut
Since the overall goal of this setup process is to prepare for resawing, a good test is to slice off a thin veneer from a jointed and planed board. In our first test cut we were able to slice off a piece that was .016" or just over 1/64". This is way thinner than anything I'd ever need but it's pretty cool to see that the saw is capable of making such a delicate cut.
Special thanks to Alex Snodgrass and Carter Products for helping make this video possible. Happy bandsawing!
Episode 13 - Bandsaw Setup - • 13 - How to Setup Your...
F.A.S.T Alignment System - amzn.to/2uuRdL4
Carter Products - www.carterproducts.com/
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I saw Alex's video back in Nov. 2017 and went to my parents house 700 miles away for Christmas and tuned my dad's bandsaw like this and he was amazed! He said he has been woodworking his whole life and always had an issue with drift. He was so happy he gave me his other bandsaw Lol. Said he wanted to see me tune this 75 yr old Power King before I left and it cuts amazing. Dad says he never seen his father's saw cut straight til I tuned it! Thanks Alex Snodgrass! I love my grandfather's bandsaw so much, plus I got brownie points with my Dad!
Goddamn this is wholesome 😁
I agree, this is one of the best bandsaw tuning videos I have ever seen. I realize it's 5 years later, but this is timeless!!
This little band saw has turned out to be the best tool purchase I've ever made ua-cam.com/users/postUgkx5ZrqmYO2uJq_nuU8TopyWxVzn8vqmPUL Once doing the set-up as per the included suggestions, this table top tool has been my go-to saw ever since (8 months as of this review). There are few things I wouldn't attempt with this saw. It takes up much less space than my table saw yet delivers twice as much punch. I've used it to create slices of wood no thicker than an 1/16th of inch by using the POWERTEC BS900RF Rip Fence. For small shop projects this tool can't be beat.
He is the best, I’ve tried everything to stop drifting even bought another bandsaw, nothing worked until I met Alex at a wood show and talked with him and he sold me new guilds and blade told me how to adjust everything and gave me his cell phone and told me to call if I had any issues, well I’m cutting thick lumber paper thin with absolutely no drift, ran back to the show the next day and was just so happy had to tell him, bought the stabilizer and blade and can now cut around the head of a pin, just amazing
How
Pff
Fantastic! I attempted to watch his much longer video but just couldn't find the time to sit through the entire process. Thanks for having him and thank you Mr Snodgrass for coming to the shop to share your knowledge
The best 9 minutes I have spent today. Thank you.
Most Non-sponsored, homeowners don't have this type of equipment, I'd like to see less expensive units tuned which would probably reach more audience members.
But I still love all your videos, non-the-less.
Snodgrass is the man when it comes to bandsaws! Thanks for sharing!
Alex is the band saw King. Cool that he agreed to come out to your shop and make this video..what a great guy! Hopefully he's having a good successful career
Great presentation, Marc. Thanks for having him on and sharing the awesome information!
Thanks for another great video, Marc! I appreciate you sharing the work of others and having guests, as opposed to being a know it all and pretending like you have all the best methods. You are still my hero!
Thanks for posting, Marc! I've met Alex Snodgrass a bunch of times at shows and he is a super guy!
Great tutorial from a master. I learned a lot. Thanks.
Thanks for getting Alex’s awesome information in a high quality video!
Wow. Huge thanks to Alex and Marc.
This video is excellent, thorough, and pretty concise.
Marc, once again, you have impeccable timing.
I'm picking up a bandsaw Saturday and am planning to tune it up next weekend.
Keep up the fine work man!
Almost perfect timing. I just tuned my bandsaw on 4 July but after watching this I will go back and make a couple of tweaks. Thanks.
One of the best videos abt adjusting a bandsaw. Thank you.
Regards from Germany.
thanks for having this video out to help out with the details that could not see in the older videos
Thanks for having him come over, Marc! And thanks to Alex for sharing his knowledge with us. I used his other video to set my band saw up, but this is much easier to see and follow along.
That fence aligning tool / width gauge looks pretty nice, too. I'm going to have to order one of those sets.
Thank you so much for inviting Alex to your shop. I found his video from the vendor floor helpful, but this video is a concentrated dose with improved audio-visual detail.
Thanx to you and Alex for doing this clearer version of his method.
Just bought my first bandsaw and this helped a TON!! Thanks Marc and Alex!!
This has been one of the most informative videos I've seen this year! I was given an old bandsaw last year and it really hasn't been able to cut right. Can't wait to give it a tune up tomorrow.
Thanks for updating the video and sound on such a classic bandsaw video.
Thanks for having this expert share his invaluable information on band saw set up. Thanks to the Wood Whisperer for making this possible!
Been using the method he showed in his trade show video for about a year with great results... Great to see him set one up in a bit more detail. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Great Video Mark, Thanks for bringing Alex in. I've seen him at the Woodworking shows and there are so many people its hard to see his demo because he works so fast. Slowed down and zoomed in video really helps.
Thank you for inviting Mr. Snodgrass; I learn alot from you fellows...cheers...rr
Marc, thanks for this great video! I learned how to set my bandsaw up many years ago after you published episode 13. Always worked for me. Now I'll be tweaking my set up procedure thanks to you and Alex sharing this information. Thanks for all you do.
Marc what a great set up video. Thanks for introducing us to Alex. By far the best band saw set up explanation I've seen.
Perfect timing Mark! Just picked up my first used band saw yesterday and it definitely needs a tuneup.
Great tutorial! Very professionally done, and confident knowable instructions.
Thank you both to the moon and back for this video calibration. The best band saw video I've ever seen. Yall are such a blessing.
Thank you for this. I have been procrastinating and finding other ways to make my cuts. Time to set it up properly now.
Thanks, Alex. I watch this video every couple of months just to keep me sharp.
The light came on shining very bright! I loved the video, short, to the point and he demonstrated all adjustments! BRAVO ZULU!
Mark I'm impressed. Wonderful video and easy explanation. Thank you so much
Thank you so much for this step by step video. I watched it a year ago when I set up my bandsaw and again now when I broke the blade and threw everything off. You the man!
Excellent video. Very clear, and the reasons explained - which makes it much easier to remember.
Great video, learned a great deal, especially on ensuring the table is level with the 2 x 4 cut.
I saw his live video but so glad I found this one with some close up shots. I was unclear on the blade side guide position from the live show but this version answered that! Love your videos and I’m excited about my new bandsaw on the way!
Thanks for making this video. A few years ago I watched the "live" video by Alex and it was alright, but the edited, up close, HD version is great!
Mark, thanks so much for the video. I inherited an old Delta bandsaw from my father in-law and honestly have been scared of it to work much with it. The tune-up video definitely boosted my confidence to set it up properly and get it going. Thanks so much!
Finally a video that explains what part of the blade to align to center. Every other one I watched left me guessing what to align. I am so glad I found this.
Just got my first bandsaw and this was the first video I went searching for. I am going to use these techniques tonight to get it all set up, excited! Thanks Mark!
Thank you both, hands down the best bandsaw set up video I've ever seen. Saw it multiple times during these years, this time I found the moment to leave a comment about it. Thanks again from a fellow woodworkers from Italy.
Great video as always Mark. I am buying my first real bandsaw soon and I know this video will prove to be invaluable. The info was presented in a very relatable manner, and I'll be thanking you again when I get my saw off to the right start. Appreciate the effort man.
Excellent. I wrote down a few notes, went to shop. Made adjustments. Cut veneer 1/32" thick. I have a Grizzly 19" band saw with a Lennox carbide tipped blade. Thanks Marc and Mr. Snodgrass!
I didn't know we could do this. Thank very much for you teaching.
Had trouble with my saw today so this is right on time. I will spend a few minutes tomorrow and go through all the points raised. Thanks team
Perfect timing as I'm about to put on my thick straight cutting blade!
My new bandsaw is in the shop now and running great! This worked perfectly!
As a newby to band saws, this video is so thoroughly thought out, it made tuning my band so easy because there is no guessing just pure fact and method. Absolutely brilliant thank you
Fantastic tutorial. I love finding information like this on youtube.
Finally, my bandsaw cuts straight & true! Followed the procedure to the letter & it works great, thanks for publishing this.
Excellent! Without a doubt the best bandsaw set video I’ve ever seen. Many thanks Mark and Alex. Mike, 🇬🇧
I only clicked on this one to see if it went along with Alex's masterful teachings. And then BAM--here's ALEX!!! Okay it's the Best.
Well made video. I just picked up a Davis Wells and watched your video on installing new tires and this video. Thanks for a straight forward presentation.
Thanks Marc and Alex! Just picked my first band saw. This is GOLD!
As a new band saw owner and never having used one, I found this very helpful..
Thanks so much for this, it was very helpful and took all the mystery out of the process. Followed along with the video and finally have my bandsaw working like it should!
What amazing results I just had with this gentleman's advice. I can barely believe it actually. Thanks so much...
Thank you both. I've been struggling with straight cuts, messing around with all the wrong issues. 10 minutes after watching this, perfect cuts! Superb, thanks Gents.
Couple of days ago, I picked up my very first woodwork machine, and guess what it was? ! Perfect timing. Thank you for setting this up.
I followed these procedures today with wonderful results. Thank you.
I've studied several Alex Snodgrass videos on bandsaw tune-up and this is the best! The explanation is slow enough to be easily comprehendible. Also, the videography is excellent and there are no distractions from an audience or the crowd at a tradeshow or seminar. Great job!
Great information, simple concise instruction perfectly presented. Thank you.
Best bandsaw set up video I have ever seen. Thanks!
Just saw this video last night and went into my shop today to adjust my Jet bandsaw. It worked freaking great and was so easy to do! I was frustrated with how bad my bandsaw would track when resawing. Spend less than a half hour following Alex's method and now it cuts great.Wish I found this years ago.
Wow after watching your tutorial with Alex, I went to my shop, and started setting up my bandsaw. First thing was the upper wheel, I just did as instructed, with the teeth running in the center of the wheel. After I made the adjustment, I could see this adjusting to the top wheel makes a lot of sense to do it this way. I have the Carter guide system, so it was really easy to follow your instructions, and set up the guides. After making all the adjustments, I ran a test piece, I was so impressed with the results, I had to make a comment. It's like I have a new saw.
I saw Alex's video a few years back and have used his method ever since. Even on my really cheap Metabo 317 I found a great improvement. Good to see a fresh update and reminder.
Excellent video! I saw Alex at a woodworking show and he knows what is talking about with regards to the bandsaw! Thank you!
Thanks for the help...I've been using a old Reliant band saw for 30 years....finally upgraded with Carter guides and a pair of home grown wheel brushes, but learning the proper setup from your guest elevated the performance beyond my expectations. Thanks again
I just adjusted my bandsaw with a new blade and cute the thinnest piece of veneer that I've ever tried. Perfect! Thanks Marc and Alex!!!
I love my bandsaw, it's one of the most used tools in my shop even without mine being terribly good. Thanks for the video and help with getting more out of it!
This is the best bandsaw set up guide I have seen. Even with my super cheap bandsaw I am getting much better cuts. Thanks!
Great video. Just got my first bandsaw...this answers ALL my questions. Quick, concise, and very informative! THX!
I don’t know how I missed this video 4 years ago. This must be the best blade adjustment video on YT and believe you me, I have watched many of them.
Thanks for posting this! I was just about to go searching for how to fix drift on my baby 10" Rikon bandsaw and this popped up in my recommended videos. Much appreciated Mark.
thank,s to Alex good job ,solved my problem with band saw adjestment.
Thanks Marc and Alex. Great video, well worth the effort. Anything that can help me use a tool better is time well spent.
This is a very helpful video. Thanks Marc and Alex. I've always hated using the bandsaw but hopefully this will change my mind
Thank you! I had 90% of that setup nailed, but got the final 10% I needed from this video. I'll be one bandsaw-setting-up-bro tomorrow morning!
Just got my first bandsaw. It's only a Wen, but with this setup, I'm making some pretty accurate sawdust. Thanks for the help.
Thank you so much for making this video. I was wondering why my blade would twist. I messed up and given up so many projects because of that. With your video and Mr Snodgrass's instructions I was able to cut a piece of wood really thin also.
Thanks for this. I watched the other video from Carter, with Alex before I bought a bandsaw. It was worth the watch. All this explains why that used bandsaw I bought years ago never seemed to work right.
Great video tutorial. I have a very inexpensive Ryobi band saw and was having issues with the blade shifting, using this technique not only corrected the shift but now I can cut curves and very straight lines. Thanks
Your wood whispering has made my delta bandsaw cut phenomenal!! Well done lad!!
Great info, presented very well, thanks for this.
Thank you, Mr. Snodgrass!
I saw a Snodgrass video many years ago and used his advice to set up the 30 year-old band saw I had just bought. I was amazed at the results. I could cut straight through things without any drift off of straight line. My cuts were accurate and precise. I was so glad I had seen that video.
Man, before the internet, back in the early 90s, I had a bunch of tools. I learned from my dad and grandfather how to use them all, ever since I was a kid. I haven't had a bandsaw in 20 years. I looked up these videos because I just bought one. Turns out I was taught right.. I miss my dad and grandpa but its videos like these that remind me to be grateful for the family I have. I thought everyone knew this tips. Glad to see some things never change.
Great video guys!! I’m a beginner woodworker and picked up a used bandsaw a few months ago. Feeling more encouraged that I’ll get it cutting properly after viewing this. Thank u!!
This method just makes sense. Thanks for the sharing.
Finally setting up my retirement workshop and have taken delivery of a bandsaw. This helped heaps. Thanks
So simple but genius. This guy is good
This was fantastic, Marc! I'm going to make some adjustments to my bandsaw.
This is pure gold. Thank you.
I’ve been adjusting my bandsaw all wrong for years!!! Yes I’m an amateur leave the comments aside but this is the best video on adjusting the bandsaw ever!!
Can’t believe how much iv just learned
Thank you for this video, this all makes sense and I'm of to my bandsaw right now :)
ME TOO