Thread: Bandsaw tracks to the left WHY ?

Maybe the first cut you made took the edge off blade


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This video on setting up bandsaws is brilliant https://youtu.be/wGbZqWac0jU One point is the gullets should be centered on the wheels, not the body of the blade.

If it still tracks left, the set on your blade teeth may not be the same either side.

Do you mean that when cutting the blade is being pulled left into the wood?

If so then you have blade drift and that is caused mainly by two things, either the blade is heavily set or blunt on one side in which case you need to replace it, or the fence isn’t aligned to the direction of cut of the blade.

If it’s the fence you can test this by removing it completely and clamping a battern or similar to the table and angling it so your timber is fed into the blade from a diferent angle, after a bit of trial and error you should be able to get it cutting straight. Once you’ve identified the angle, then you need to undo all the table securing bolts and physically rotate it so that the fence aligns to the angle you’ve worked out.

Let us know how you get on!

If its the stock blade that came with it, try a new blade. I found the stock blade that came with my jet bandsaw to be terrible. Got some replacement blades and helped a lot. The sharper the blade, the more forgiving your tracking will be to start. Typically a blade positioned too far back on the wheel will cut to the left. Ensure after every blade adjustment you're re-positioning your thrust bearing. Thrust bearing being as close as possible without touching is the rule I go by.

Blades are a fairly cheap item, try another one and your problem may be solved.

Regards
Keith

I agree that the issue is likely to be the blade having uneven set and sharpness. However I would suggest that you replace it with one made up by an industrial saw doctor rather than buying one or more over the counter ones from Hafco, Bunnings or the like. They tend to buy consumables like bandsaw blade from the cheapest sources and then sell at prices close to thta of the saw docs who make blades to customer requirements using quality US or European stock. When I lived in Melb I used to get my blades from Specialty Saws in Croydon, still have all my gear in storage so haven't bought any for a while but they were still in Coolstore Rd last time I was down there about a month ago. Run as a father and son business, father has been a saw doctor for probably 40+ years, junior probably for 15 or more.

Originally Posted by John Hart

I recently purchased a new Hafco Woodmaster bandsaw it continually tracks to the left. I have centred the guides, centred the blade on the wheel and tensioned the blade as per manual. But it still tracks to the left. Should I release some of the tension or what ?. Any suggestions most welcomed.

Hi John

If the blade is typical, it will have too many teeth. If so, it will load with sawdust, and this will push the blade off track. This is exacerbated if you experience the blade struggling, and push harder. Out of interest, how many teeth per inch (tpi) and what is the width?

Regards from Perth

Derek

+1 on centering the gullets, not the centre of the blade, on the wheel.
Also, if the blade is too far *forward* on the wheel, it may tend to track left. Attached diagram was posted on SawmillCreek
Screenshot_2018-10-30-06-53-26.png

I appreciate all you woodies comment to my problem, thank you. I will try each one over the weekend and hopefully solve my problem.