Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | May 25, 2004 06:23am | #1

   I have seen it done a dozen times and I still can't do it!  It's not a science, it's an art.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   Dave45 | May 25, 2004 06:45am | #2

   I got a lesson from the guy at the tool store.  It's actually quite easy, but I couldn't even begin to describe it in words - lol.  Maybe I'll get SWMBO to take some pics so I can post them.

   Edited 5/24/2004 11:47 pm ET by Dave

2. 
   DavidxDoud | May 25, 2004 06:57am | #3

   (I recommend gloves,  BTW)

   grasp the blade with your hands with the teeth facing you -- there should be app 2/3 of the blade above your grip - flip the top of the blade toward the ground while rotating your grip 'inward' - blade will fold and the third loop will fold up underneath as tho to scrape your jewels - - hard to describe,  but like riding a bike,  so easy/simple once you do it...

   "there's enough for everyone"
3. 
   301 | May 25, 2004 08:08am | #4

   Leather gloves are what you need.  Here is a round-about answer for you: they sell these reflective sun-screens at auto parts stores to put in your windshield that have 2 loops of steel in them (one for each side).  Get one of these to practice on as they fold the same way and sometimes they include an instruction sheet to show how to fold them.  The first time you accomplish it you feel proud, then the next time you try to fold it and can't remember how you become frustrated.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/25/2004 1:08 am ET by el papa

4. 
   BG | May 25, 2004 01:50pm | #5

   CatsEye,

   Folding a bandsaw blade was touched upon in an article on bandsaw blades in FWW about 8-12 months ago...I think.  It may have been covered in a video here on resawing too...not sure. 

   As I learned it from that article/video, the key is putting your foot on one end of the bandsaw and turning with the other end in your hand....I have never had a problem doing ti that way...
5. 
   MarkRoderick | May 25, 2004 02:53pm | #6

   Search the archives. This comes up about once per year.

   Or search google. You'll find it.

6. 
   Sphere | May 25, 2004 03:10pm | #7

   my way is

   hoop the blade with the teeth away from you..step yer toe on the blade at the floor

   grasp the top of the hoop with yer palm UP..

   rotate yer wrist to the left and bend towards the floor..

   a figure 8 happens and then let up with yer foot and the third coil will sorta snap in place

   roll it even the coils and a twist tie to keep it

    

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

7. 
   MBL | May 25, 2004 06:40pm | #8

   Friend,

   Last week, a pro at an industrial place where they cut to size from rolls, explained his technique a couple of times, which is different in this way:

   He holds the balde on a horizontal plane at waste level against the counter (could be a wall) and pushes it with the hands, once the center meets, he easily turns a number 8 figure. He did two loops and made the blade about 8" in diameter total.

   Wasn't aware of that method but it seems easier and safer thatn pushing it onto the floor. That's because one does not have to bend the body, and also because the spring force of the blade is never against one's face.

   Haven't had a chance to try it, but wil first make a loop with small diameter rubber hose tied with electrical tape at the ends to practice first, because as others say, it's a hand's on art.

   Good luck.

   -mbl-

8. 
   forestgirl | May 25, 2004 06:56pm | #9

   Taunton had a Video Tip on it awhile back, but I guess it went past it's "year" at which point they delete the video tip from the web site!!  Bad idea. 

   The pictures are worth 1000 words, as they say.  I'll see if I can find the original pics and post 'em.  Late tonight though, day is very busy.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

9. 
   RandMCapozzi | May 26, 2004 03:27pm | #10

   From the FWW website, I found the following reference to some articles that discuss the technique with illustrations. Not nearly as good as the video that was on the site however.

   January/February 1998 issue (#128, p. 18). And, for more on bandsaws, check out John's article "Bandsaw Tune-Up" in the July/August 2002 issue of Fine Woodworking (#157). 

   I don't think I could explain it any better than the above posts. I did find wearing leather gloves and eye protection is a good idea though. I think the example of the folding car sun shade is a good one. Folding a bandsaw blade is very similar in technique (only sharper!).

   --Rob

1. 
   EdHarrow | May 26, 2004 03:34pm | #11

   I learned the technique years ago folding bicycle tires.  It's exactly the same, but risk-free.  I've only done 27" or 700C tires, I don't think it would work so well on 20" LOL.  Once one figures it out, it's easy (like most other things).

1. 
   Shopmole | May 26, 2004 10:35pm | #12

   Definitely wear protection and watch out.

    I got bit on the nose and forehead by a 1-1/4" x133" blade. It hurt a little but having to explain to people for a couple of weeks what happened to my nose was  worse. 

1. 
   Sphere | May 27, 2004 09:13pm | #13

   In a pallet mill I worked in we had a resaw with a 14' diameter blade..6'' wide with carbide tips..it was a heck of a saw..the blades were just tucked together in the middle and the ends brought together and tied with copper wire..took two to "fold" it.  Unfolding was a ton of fun, it would fling a small guy across the room.. 

   Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.