Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 18
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Willetton, Western Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    70

    Default Bandsaw ‘ripples’

    Hi, my first question 😄
    I have a 12” bandsaw. it rips straight.. i.e no drift. New-ish decent blade.

    However, the edges of my rips have uniform ripples along the entire edge. I can plane these off of course but am somewhat frustrated that i can’t get a smoother cut; not finished quality, but something that is better than i am getting.

    As i said, no drift, but are these ripples caused by a tension issue, a feed speed issue or something I haven’t considered? I have tried adjusting tension and feed speed a little but to no avail.

    Timber used to date, pine, marri, sheoak, mdf(!)…

    Any pointers will be appreciated

    Thanks

    Cheers
    Mal

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Whoops, I just realised you are a newbie and can't post pics yet.

    We really need to see some pics.

    Could be one or more teeth has more set that the others.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Éire
    Age
    39
    Posts
    297

    Default

    I'd have guessed the MDF would have sorted out the set, and also blunted the blade quite severely,
    not that I have ever cut it on a bandsaw.

    It sounds strange to me, not hearing of drift on a 12" machine, these must be small pieces you are cutting?
    Is it spelching from the underside that you are having issue with?

    If so, we need piccys of the cut quality from both sides of the blade, which would indicate set issues, or maybe setup issues, but it sounds like you've got it sorted, if you're using the fence and have surfaced timbers, and not using it freehand using a point fence.

    Tension could be an issue, and if so could likely be where the machine is going to show it's limitations.

    Sounds interesting
    Tom

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Hobart, Tas
    Posts
    1,211

    Default

    Hi Mal,

    I have seen this before with my 1" blade (which is really too big for my saw). In my case the blade tensions wasn't sufficient.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    684

    Default

    Could be a tension problem. There are some good videos on youtube covering tension including looking out for blade 'flutter' as a guide for tension. Basically you tension up until the first signs of flutter. If the blade starts fluttering back the tension off a 1/4 turn and see how it goes.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    In between houses
    Posts
    1,784

    Default

    All bandsaws do this, they are for rapid deep ripping of stock, not for finish cutting. That’s why we have planers and jointers in a workshop.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Willetton, Western Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    70

    Default

    Ok firstly I need to correct myself, it is a 14" Sherwood Standard bandsaw with a 7tpi blade (I munted the stock blade that came with the saw) - pretty new - not done a lot of hard timber to date, mostly pine, some beech and MDF (!)

    Firstly edge of 6mm MDF...




    ..then 12mm lump of Tas Oak


    this one is SheOak but fed in glacially slow - some improvement - probably liveable on short rips but long rips would mean my coffee gets cold


    This is the blade - looks clean - feels sharp...


    this last one shows very little, if any, drift - which is good


    So i think for this blade a really slow feed might be what I need. any other thoughts ? particularly for long rips (i.e for future table legs) - smaller blade maybe? 3-4TPI ??

    Cheers
    Mal

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    2,205

    Default

    Possibly the machine frame is just not strong enough and basically detensions the blade
    as your cutting.
    H.
    Please ignore this I was replying to your post of it being a 12” Saw.
    Bit slow, sorry.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Willetton, Western Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    70

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by riverbuilder View Post
    All bandsaws do this, they are for rapid deep ripping of stock, not for finish cutting. ...
    Thanks riverbuilder.

    Indeed I don't expect a finish cut but on the stock 4TPI blade that came with the saw I wasn't getting these ripples - finish was much smoother and a light tickle with a plane sorted it out. I munted the stock blade (too many tight curves for the width of the blade!) so bought this one... maybe it was the MDF that blunted this blade somewhat that someone else mentioned..mmm....

  11. #10
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Albury
    Posts
    3,019

    Default

    That does look like a fairly wide blade for a 14" saw. I have an older Carbatec 18" saw with a 1" wide 1.25 tpi (?) carbide tipped blade that also shows the ripple effect, it is hardly noticeably sometimes but worse on some timbers. As Riverbuilder says that's why we have jointers, thicknessers and drum sanders.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    Those ripples look normal to me. With a 7 tpi blade I wouldn’t expect fast cutting. A 3-4 tpi should be considerably faster.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    63
    Posts
    500

    Default

    Rule of thumb, less teeth, fast cut, rough finish. More teeth, slower cut, finer finish. Applies to any cutting instrument with teeth.

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    mid north coast
    Age
    65
    Posts
    351

    Default

    I have bought the same bandsaw and asked the same question

    I think its the nature of the beast, plenty of sanding etc to get the desired finish

    I'm going to try a bi metal blade soon, so far I have a starrett 4 TPI fitted which is ok

    I will say tho : the cut is nice and straight when resawing

  15. #14
    Mobyturns's Avatar
    Mobyturns is offline In An Instant Your Life Can Change Forever
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    "Brownsville" Nth QLD
    Age
    66
    Posts
    4,414

    Default

    From your photos it seems to be cutting nicely however I suspect that your blade has some quality issues with the set of the teeth.
    Mobyturns

    In An Instant Your Life CanChange Forever

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Oct 2021
    Location
    Willetton, Western Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    70

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post
    That does look like a fairly wide blade for a 14" saw. I have an older Carbatec 18" saw with a 1" wide 1.25 tpi (?) carbide tipped blade that also shows the ripple effect, it is hardly noticeably sometimes but worse on some timbers. As Riverbuilder says that's why we have jointers, thicknessers and drum sanders.
    it does look wide in the photo, but its only 13mm…also its a 6TPI constant, not 7 as I first stated, just found the order details…

    Yes a jointer would be nice, but room is limited in the workshop for additional large kit…even a small 6” would be pushing it…

    Cheers,
    Mal

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Ripples in PolyU Finish subcoats
    By Tegmark in forum FINISHING
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11th August 2016, 06:28 PM
  2. Ripples
    By Dalboy in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 24th July 2014, 09:02 PM
  3. Fixing ripples in veneer
    By marc_s in forum WOODWORK - GENERAL
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 21st July 2012, 06:51 PM
  4. Ripples inside lidded box
    By lubbing5cherubs in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 27th December 2006, 10:31 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •