uneven cut from top to bottom when resawing
I just added a riser block , new tires, 3/4″ timberwolf blade and cool blocks to my 1975 3/4 hp Delta band saw. Prior to the additions, I was able to resaw 3-4″ hard woods as thin as 1/16″th. My problem with the new set-up is the cut seems to wander from side to side but more importantly, the difference in the cut from top to bottom, (narrower at the top) is driving me nuts. I tried to adjust the blade tension using the Timberwolf method; start with a lose blade that will show a flutter and tighten until the flutter stops, add a 1/4 turn and that’s it. The process workded fine on a 1/4″ blade but not on the 3/4″. I tightened the new blade as much as I dared and still get a thin top cut and wider bottom. I’m open for suggestions,different blade,etc.
Replies
Not trying to be patronizing, but did you check that both the table and fence are square to the blade?Or it may be that a 3/4 blade is too much for that saw (it takes proportionally more force to tension the wider blade)
table to blade
That is the first thing I checked. You are correct in not assuming the obvious. Sometimes we look too hard and forget the simple. I also agree that the 3/4 blade is probably too heavy for a small 14" maching, a new 1/2" is on order Thanks
Maybe not tight enough
I have a 24" Powermatic and based on an article in FWW have determined that the blade needs to be tightened to one size larger. That is, if there is a guage on your saw for 3/4" tension, you may find a better outcome by taking it to the 1" mark. Also it will never work correctly unless the blade is perfectly centered on the tire; I have made this mistake. If you go too tight the blade can break but it gets pretty exciting when this happens and can bring on a good adrenaline rush. I originally bought blades from Powermatic and they did not perform well and caused the wandering thing. I switched to the Woodslicer brand with significantly better results - like cutting butter.
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