Replies

1. 
   kudzupatch | Feb 28, 2022 09:17am | #1

   Maybe a dumb question but are you adjusting the tracking on the upper wheel? Sounds like it is not set right.

2. 
   _mj_ | Feb 28, 2022 09:30am | #2

   Have you tried doing most of your alignment at low tension and gradually ramping it up? Turn the upper wheel slowly back and forth 1/4-1/2 turn as you adjust the tracking. Back all of the guides off completely before you begin. A line or two of sharpie on the tire will make small changes easier to see.

3. 
   esch5995 | Feb 28, 2022 09:40am | #3

   Narrow blades such as that don't have much contact with the tire and will pop off quickly if the alignment is off. As suggested sneak up on the final tension checking alignment as you go and you will probably solve the problem. If not you may have a problem with a tire.

   I am assuming Rikon rates the machine for such a narrow blade.

4. 
   stradicfinatic | Feb 28, 2022 10:25am | #4

   Yes The blade is compatible with the saw.

   Here’s what I’m doing:
   1. Put the blade around the wheels
   2. Release the guides
   3. Engage the tension bar on the back
   4. Slowly spin the upper wheel by hand to get a general alignment on the wheels
   5. Slowly adjust the top handle to ease up the tension

   I’m having to crank the top handle quite a bit to get good tension on the blade. Is it possible I’m just putting TOO much tension and that’s why it keeps popping off?

1. 
   kudzupatch | Feb 28, 2022 11:01am | #5

   "Is it possible I’m just putting TOO much tension and that’s why it keeps popping off?"

   Absolutely!

5. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 06, 2022 06:41pm | #6

   So I thought I finally had the tension and alignment correct and proceeded to cut. But the blade quickly started moving backward along the same direction I’m pushing the wood (toward the rear of the saw) and eventually popped off. On another try, the blade would twist when I would turn the wood and not really cut. It shouldn’t be this hard.

   What am I missing?

6. 
   _mj_ | Mar 06, 2022 07:08pm | #7

   Sounds like the blade is inside-out. Check that the teeth are pointed towards the table.

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 06, 2022 07:16pm | #9

   Teeth are definitely pointing down.

7. 
   gulfstar | Mar 06, 2022 07:14pm | #8

   How can the blade move backwards when you push the wood ? The upper and lower rear guides should prevent this.

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 06, 2022 07:22pm | #10

   Omg I think you just solved it. I was tightening the left and right blade guides (on the top as well as the bottom), but wasn’t adjusting the guides that face the rear of the blade! So there was nothing to support the blade when I pushed the wood through. Thanks!

8. 
   _mj_ | Mar 06, 2022 07:42pm | #11

   Nice catch Gulfstar.

9. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 08, 2022 06:27pm | #12

   So guess what? That wasn’t it either. I can get the blade perfectly aligned, but after a certain amount of tension, it gets wonky and pops off.

   And sometimes if I power it on after it looks good, the blade instantly veers toward the front of the wheel and pops off. This thing is brand new. WTH??

1. 
   john_c2 | Mar 08, 2022 06:44pm | #13

   The saw is brand new? Did you have to assemble anything?

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 08, 2022 07:02pm | #14

   Yep, I had to put it together. But mostly it was just putting the 3 big pieces on top of each other ( the stand, the table, and the top section). It’s the Rikon 10-326 14” bandsaw.

10. 
    user-6445466 | Mar 08, 2022 07:16pm | #15

    How is the saw operation with a 1/4 inch blade?

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 08, 2022 07:26pm | #16

   Same exact thing. I tried that too :/

11. 
    user-6445466 | Mar 08, 2022 07:30pm | #17

    1/2 inch blade?

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 08, 2022 07:32pm | #18

   Haven’t tried that one. But even if that works, I shouldn’t be limited to that, ya know?

1. 
   mikeinohio | Mar 08, 2022 07:47pm | #21

   In a previous post you wrote:

   -----------------------------------
   >Here’s what I’m doing:
   >1. Put the blade around the wheels
   >2. Release the guides
   >3. Engage the tension bar on the back
   >4. Slowly spin the upper wheel by hand to get a general alignment on the wheels
   >5. Slowly adjust the top handle to ease up the tension
   -----------------------------------

   I don't see on this list that you've adjusted the tracking control. Have you tried it?

   Mike

1. 
   stradicfinatic | Mar 08, 2022 07:48pm | #22

   Sorry mike, yeah that’s what I meant in #4.

   I think my last option is a call to Rikon.

12. 
    user-6445466 | Mar 08, 2022 07:40pm | #19

    Agree, just trying to understand if the saw may have a defect, I believe you mentioned the saw was new. I have had the same saw for a bit over a year now. Never used a blade narrower than a 1/4 inch but that width has performed flawlessly.

13. 
    _mj_ | Mar 08, 2022 07:41pm | #20

    Rikon is pretty good service-wise. Call them. They will want to both understand and help.