Replies

1. 
   hammer1 | Feb 10, 2010 02:49pm | #1

   dull blade, maybe the wrong one.

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Feb 10, 2010 05:49pm | #2

   Kell,

   Probably dull blade, but possibly too little tension.

3. 
   Eef | Feb 10, 2010 05:54pm | #3

   kell,

   this came up just a few days ago on knots. perhaps a search would set you straight. whenever i have this problem the first place i look is to a dull blade. i determine this by looking very closely as the blade enter the wood. a dull blade "wants" to deflect more or less and a sharp one gets right in there and bites. smoke is not good and indicates dullness.

   eef

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Feb 10, 2010 05:54pm | #4

   Bowing is generally a dull blade or a tooth knocked out of set. Sounds as if time for a new blade as they certainly don't last forever.

5. 
   fussy | Feb 11, 2010 02:03am | #5

   Kell,

   What Sarge said. Mahogony is MUCH harder than walnut, and blades don't last forever. When you install your new blade be sure you pay as much attention to the lower blade guides as the upper guides. In my experience (admittedly relatively limited) blade tension is usually not the problem. Search for Michael Fortune's past article in FW on bandsaw setup and follow it to the letter. I did and now I actually like my bandsaw!

   Hope this helps.

   Steve

6. 
   Kell | Feb 11, 2010 07:38am | #6

   Thanks guys! I apologize for not searching first but this is my first time back to the forum in a few years and I haven't familiarized myself with all the functions yet. Nice to see some of the old gang still here though! And, of course, by old I mean long stayers!

   Best!

   Kell

1. 
   fussy | Feb 13, 2010 03:38am | #7

   Nah, you meant OLD. But old is a gift. Use it wisely, grasshopper.

7. 
   reeltime1 | Feb 19, 2010 12:19pm | #8

   My lesson from my first week of bandsaw ownership:

   Don't hit a screw with a 3 TPI ripping blade.  I got the bow of which you speak on my very next cut.  Smokey too!  I love the smell of burnt maple.

   My bandsaw book said not enough tension causes bowing, but I'm pretty certain it was the blade dulling from hitting the screw.  

   It's been an interesting first week.  I should run a camera on my shop.  You guys would laugh at the rookie mistakes I'm suffering through.  My jointing with a hand plane would have you guys on the floor.