Bandsaw Tension Flag

Here's a quick way to remember to pull the blade-tension release lever before starting your bandsaw.

Mar 30, 2016

Many modern bandsaws, including mine, are equipped with a blade-tension release lever on the back of the machine. I know from experience that it is all too easy to start these bandsaws before remembering to pull the lever and tension the blade. Although there’s little danger, you can certainly wreck a blade and gouge the tires. Here is a quick, effective fix. With the blade tension released (lever up), I ran a length of the string from the lever handle over the top and down the other side near the switch. I tacked the string to the lever with cyanoacrylate (Super) glue so it won’t slip down. Then I placed a couple of rare-earth magnets on the top of the frame to guide the string. Finally, I tied a scrap of plywood (a card would also work) to the string so that when the blade tension is released, the flag drops and covers the on/off switch.

When the tension lever is engaged, the flag rises up and says “all systems go.”

—Illustrations by Jim Richey

Jo Jesty, Mount Sinai, NY

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

JessEm Mite-R Excel II Miter Gauge

The gauge has a quick and easy method for fitting the guide bar precisely to your tablesaw’s miter slot. This means the gauge can be recalibrated if necessary for continued accuracy. The face of the protractor head can be adjusted square to the table and also square to the guide bar. This ensures accurate cuts, and it, too, can be readjusted if the need arises. The protractor head has stainless-steel knobs and fittings and high-contrast, easy-to-read white numbers and increments.

Buy at Amazon

DeWalt 735X Planer

At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.

Buy at Amazon