Band saw blade adjusting

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Guys - sorry for this super rookie question. I have a very old Wells horizontal band saw that was given to me, no documentation - the blade finally gave out and I bought a replacement from my local mill shop. Ever since I can't get a square down cut, as the blade enters the work, it tracks inwards towards the machine (basically closing the loop of the band by 1/16") Is this just a tensioning issue? With my wood band saws I usually just tension enough to keep the blade on the wheels. How much is too much on a metal saw? Thanks!MM 175 w/ spoolgun
Reply:Here's a good article on blade adjustment.Adjusting Blade TensionHope this helps answer your question.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Here is a good article on small bandsaws, that covers it all- blades, tracking, stands, and so on.http://www.tinyisland.com/4x6bsFAQ.htmlBasically, as tight as you can tension it is probably not enough, for a metal working bandsaw.And usually crooked cuts are tracking and guide problems.Good blades help a lot too- I am partial to Lenox bi-metal blades, myself.
Reply:Thank's guys - that helps - I'm going to try some more tension - It was working great before the blade swap.MM 175 w/ spoolgun
Reply:The first thing I would check is the thickness of both the old and the new blades. Most vertical wood type band saws do not twist the blade into a different plane than it started with, any  horizontal metal cutting saw does. There are rollers before and after the cut that "turn" the blade. If you had it properly adjusted before with a blade of say,   .035  and you switched to a blade thickness of .030, the blade would cut wrong. You could readjust for the thinner blade, but I would check to be sure what you should have first.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:adjust the guides ..top of the blade...and underneeth the table.. unless its a cheepie with no guides  ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Talk to a Lenox blade rep. They can tell you the proper tension for their blade on your saw.They'll need the model number of the saw. i.e. my band saws are German made. Saw blade tension is 27,000 psi. Lenox taught me how to hit 27k psi every time. Once you get the tension right. Then, gage it this way for repeatability...Install blade. Tighten guide until all slack out. Then, same number of turns on adj. wheel will net same tension every time. Works like a charm on my saws.Weldtek
Reply:I don't know that your problem is tension.  Have you set a speed square vertically on the saw to see if the saw blade is vertical between the guides.  You can also lay it one horzontally to check the alignment of the blade. Adjust the guides accordingly. Also guide bearing wear out, check for play.Last edited by tapwelder; 09-05-2006 at 09:27 PM.
Reply:The blade looks square to start. The saw is an older Wellsaw, model 56B, with three bearings on each guide. I probably should look at these a little closer. I'll start with the easy stuff - blade tension, and work from there.MM 175 w/ spoolgun