Replies

1. 
   dougmeyer | Dec 21, 2006 08:33pm | #1

   Oh, this is a great question mine just sit on a hook and take up a lot of space as i have never managed to get this trick to work for me.

   Doug Meyer

1. 
   user-196729 | Dec 21, 2006 08:53pm | #3

   I have an old Sprunger 14" band saw that has seen many years of service.  The blades are simply brought together in the center of the full length by twine and then placed between heavy cardboard so the blade is protected.  these are then shrink wrapped to stay together and hung from peg hooks on the wall.  It doesn't take up much space and when you want to put them on the bandsaw, you know they are in factory condition and not bent out of proportion.  Hope this suggestion helps!

2. 
   Rich14 | Dec 21, 2006 08:47pm | #2

   The band has to know that you know how to do it!

   I wish there were a video on the Internet that shows how. It's so simple, but so hard until you get the hang of it. Once you do, the band will just fall into 3 loops.

   Hold the band, teeth away from you, arms outstretched, right hand at 3 o'clock, left hand at 9 o'clock, fingers loosly wrapped around the away-facing teeth, thumbs pointing upward pressed against the back side of the band.

   Rotate both hands simultaneously so that your right thumb starts to point away from you and your left thumb rotates to point toward you. You'll need to let your elbows expand out from your body as you rotate your hands as far as you can.

   The loops will form and fall into place.

   Rich

1. 
   ram | Dec 22, 2006 01:15am | #11

   That's a good description.  I just got my first bandsaw (grin), and had to do this when switching out the factory blade for a longer one after installing the riser block.

   I had no difficulty.  One possible reason is I used to do it as a nervous habbit with rubber bands.  It's a good way to understand the geometric dynamics, with no risk.

   -robert

2. 
   AlPal | Dec 22, 2006 01:58am | #15

   Coiling it up is the easy part, it's uncoiling it that's the problem. LOL

   Allen

3. 
   scruff | Dec 21, 2006 09:13pm | #4

   Stand on one of the loop and hold the upper end of the loop in your right hand. The palm of your hand should be overtop of the blade with your knuckles facing you. Twist your hand in a clockwise direction while pushing the blade towards the floor. The blade falls into three loops. If the blade is long I do a single loop first to shorten the overall length. Works every time.

4. 
   MonteB | Dec 21, 2006 09:57pm | #5

   In one of the "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking" books, the one on joinery, I think, there is a decent series of photographs showing how Tage folds and unfolds a bandsaw blade.

   Monte

5. 
   pins | Dec 21, 2006 10:39pm | #6

   You've gotten two good methods to fold the blades. But do not forget to wear leather gloves.

   John

6. 
   mvflaim | Dec 21, 2006 10:40pm | #7

   I stand on the blade with my right foot. I twist my right arm around so that my elbow is pointing away from my body and grab the blade with my right hand. I then twist my arm back into normal position as I lower my arm to the floor. Do it once and you'll never forget it.

    

1. 
   Anon | Dec 21, 2006 10:59pm | #8

   I've got a variation on this question, since I DO know how to fold them in three. Blades for my 17" Grizzly (132" long) come from the manufacturer (regardless of source) folded in FIVE loops. Does anyone know if that can be replicated by hand? Three is fine but five is smaller and of course cooler, by virtue of being totally unnecessary.

1. 
   Rich14 | Dec 21, 2006 11:10pm | #9

   FIVE loops! Gotta try it. Never even thunk it!

   Rich

2. 
   mvflaim | Dec 22, 2006 12:06am | #10

   FIVE LOOPS????? I think I need two elbows for that...lol 

3. 
   ram | Dec 22, 2006 01:25am | #12

   I've done five with a rubber band.  The way I did it was to first do the 3-way fold.  Next, reduce two of the three loops to as small a diameter as you can.  Then repeat the 3-way procedure.  Each iteration of the 3-way fold adds two more loops.  I found there was quite a lot of what you might call "stacking" of the band edge to edge so the resulting 5-way loop took up a fair bit of width.

   -robert

1. 
   lagosme | Dec 22, 2006 01:33am | #13

   http://www.newwoodworker.com/coilbsblde.html

   Now with Video!!

1. 
   ram | Dec 22, 2006 01:40am | #14

   Much slicker than the way I do it.  Thanks, -robert

2. 
   MonteB | Dec 22, 2006 06:59pm | #22

   I had to play the video in slow motion, it went so quick.

   Nicely done.

7. 
   ctsjr | Dec 22, 2006 02:03am | #16

   Check out this short video by John White.  Speaks volumes.  And welcome to Knots.  Tom

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/subscription/ToolGuide/ToolGuideArticle.aspx?id=5206

   "Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 22, 2006 02:20am | #17

   Actually, I have a much better way to do this, but they wouldn't let me demonstrate it at the time the video was shot, since the method shown was tied into an article. 

   I'll talk to our web master and see if we can now show my way with a new video.  I'm taking a few days off, so this won't happen until after Christmas.

   Happy Holidays to all,

   John White

8. 
   BG | Dec 22, 2006 04:18am | #18

   FritzMuntean,

   Here's the secret: the bands/rings don't form until you have turned your wrist at least 540 degrees. So, with you foot on the bottom and holding the band underhanded, in either right or left hand, turn it 540 degrees(1 1/2 rotations) either clockwise or counter clockwise....it doesn't matter.

1. 
   GrGramps | Dec 22, 2006 04:48am | #19

   Allen, As far as uncoiling, take it outdoors and toss it onto the lawn. No lawn? Toss it into the leaves. It works and is not as risky as trying to uncoil while holding in your hands.
   Roy

9. 
   BruceS | Dec 22, 2006 05:14am | #20

   I was taught by a meat cutter,  I can do the 3 and 5.  When I first tried the process it looked like I was attacked by two wildcats.  Now it takes about one second for a 3 loop and  3 seconds for a 5 loop.  Couldn't tell you how, I'de have to show you.   Love to astonish my customers by folding a blade..   I don't fold above 1/2" blades,  Those guys hang nicely from a woodin peg.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

10. 
    JLMCDANIEL | Dec 22, 2006 07:14am | #21

    Here's a link for those on dial-up.

    http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/story.jhtml?storyid=/templatedata/wood/story/data/449.xml&catref=wd16

    Jack