Thread: The missing bandsaw post

I've read that manual before; unfortunately, the Grizzly doesn't have too much in common with the BS5S, chief amongst the differences is the BS5S does not have tracking adjustment on the idler wheel slide, it is set and cannot be adjusted.

Wheel alignment on the BS5S can be adjusted by use of shim washers on the shaft and behind the wheels; however, as the wheels are not on the same plain no amount of shim washers will put them on the same plain. The only way to bring the wheels onto the same plain would be some sort of tilting mechanism on each wheel shaft, unfortunately, it has no such mechanism. Placing a shim under one end of the front wheel guide would work I guess, but as the rear wheel rides on the gearbox shaft that is not adjustable. My guess is the wheels are intentionally aligned as they are to force the blade against the raised lip on each wheel.

I don't like the blade tensioning method outlined in the book too much: "Using moderate finger pressure, push againstthe side of the blade. The blade should notmove more than 0.004". What is 'moderate' finger pressure?

I assume the blade is running on the center of the back bearings? the the saw is cutting square in both planes?

Have you tried moving all four side bearings to the left?

Do you move the blade guides between hoz cuts and vert cuts?

Stuart

Yep and yep. The guides are as far left as I can get them and still have the blade square. Nope. I spent a day going right over everything, ripped everything apart, etc, etc, etc. I think the problem may be 'impatience' and not enough tension. Blade tension is difficult to gauge from the silly instructions: what the hell is 'moderate finger pressure'? I have noticed however the tighter I tension the blade the more in line the pulleys become. Perhaps with this machine that is how it is done? That is a hell of a load to place on the gearbox bearing though. I've never studied 'patience', perhaps I should start. I have heard it is a very difficult skill to aquire though - probably beyond me!
The vice has gone to a woodpecker, would have preferred it to go to a metalworker, but that's still much better than the scrap yard.