Band saw cuts crooked

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We have a small metal bandsaw in the shop and it won't make a staight cut. Is there some adjustment or something else I can do to make it right?Don't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:Check your blade tension.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:When you say it won't cut straight is it that you need to feed the piece at an angle to the blade in order to follow a line?  Most bandsaw blades (this is especially true for wood but also applys to metal) each will have its own cutting profile.  You can feed your piece into the blade and note the angle at which you have to hold the piece in order for it to follow a line.  Measure that angle with an angle gauge and then set your fence to that angle and it will cut straight.  I know it sounds weird but I've run intot this before and had someone show me this on their saw.  The guy knew what he was talking about and also told me that no 2 blaces will track the same.  What also helps is to use a small grinding stone and chamfer the back edges of the blade this is also supposed to help with friction.Hope that helps.MichaelMillermatic 25115" Rockwell Drill Press10" Logan Lathe5hp - 2-stage 80 Gallon CompressorHome Made Sand / Soda Blaster
Reply:As paul stated check your blade tension also your downfeed rate (if too fast) can cause a bandsaw to not cut straight.  There should be some type of guides for the blade on each side of the cutting area.  If one is adjustable then it needs to be moved out close to the material being cut not all the way back away from it.  Also check your guides to make sure they aren't worn out and holding the blade straight.  What type of saw is it? ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:As stated above, blade tension (should produce a mid-tone when plucked like a violin), guides should be close to work and not pinching the blade.  As BBlock said band saws will take a set if you are applying any sort of cutting force.  You will have to figure in the "set" point and adjust the guide to this angle.  If you apply almost no force, the blade will basically clear the area in it's path.  Most aren't patient enough for this method.I use this method when resawing wood (making planks out of logs or thinning planks for veneers).  I just set my 1/16" to 1/4" width and let the blade do the work, very slowly.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:This link shows a bandsaw that is similar to the one I'm talking about. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93762I'll have to get the make and model tommorrow and post it for you. So far I've tried adjusting the tension and guides with no success. This saw was very reliable for years. Could there be something wrong with the blade?Don't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:Blades tend to cut crooked as they get dull and also as hammack said make sure you're not trying to cut to fast.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:I assume you are talking about a Horizontal bandsaw and the saw has cut straight at some point.  Get a new good quality blade, first.  Which way is it not cutting straight.  Adjust the fence if the saw is not cutting the angle you desire. However, if the blade is drifting as it fall vertically, then you need to adjust the guides.  Also check the tracking of the blade along the pulleys.  The blade sit fully on the pulleys without dragging.  Use a square set vertical on the table.  The blade should be exactly parallel with the square.  Adjust the guides as necessary.  Essentially you will be twisting the blade with the guides.   As mentioned the guides do not pinch the blade.You can also move the saw up and down checking the blade against the square.  Hopefully it fall parallel to the square regardless of blade alignment.  If it doesn't, then there is play in your hinges.Guide bearing wear out too.  change and adjust as necessary.Last edited by tapwelder; 08-05-2007 at 11:52 PM.
Reply:I've got the Delta version of that style saw.  I'll assume they all use similar guide assemblies and adjustments.At each guide there are three small bearings, one on top of the blade and one on each side.  The side bearings are mounted on eccentric bushings.  Those need to be adjusted so they are snug against the sides of the blade to hold it solidly in reference to the guide assembly.Each guide assembly has a machined groove and matching tongue, don't remember which is on what part, but the part that moves can be adjusted both up and down and rotated to bring the blade square with the table.  Incidentally, while it is best to start with the blade square to the table it may not cut square at that setting.  If not it is most likely the blade causing the problem.The guides need to be set low enough to keep the back of the blade from rubbing the flange on the blade wheels as well.  The adjustments are not real intuitive and you can get into hair pulling mode working with them but the saw should be able to be set up to do a decent cut.
Reply:Thanks for all the replys, I'll get a new blade and start from there. That just might be the cause of my woe.Don't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:If you are looking for a precision cut Harbor freight isn't the place in my opinion.AWS CWI Hypertherm 850 plasmaLincoln LN-25Lincoln SAE 400Miller Big 40D28' X 36' X 14' Shop_____________________________________Tools are not the the skill but simply tools!
Reply:Change the blade...Its dull.. ...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:My 7X12 Enco bandsaw used to cut way crooked. It's a used 1984 model that I bought in 1995. It's equipped with a coolant pump . I replaced and adjusted the blade, cleaned all of the guides and bearings and slowed down the blade speed and the downfeed speed. (it's gravity feed with a spring to control the rate.) I can now cut a 1/4" plate and the cut will be within .005 from top to bottom of the cut. That's not bad for non-defense work. What other posters say will help you out.   Last edited by gnm109; 08-06-2007 at 10:44 PM.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Thank you allDon't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:went to home depot today and bought a new blade for the band saw. It doesnt cut perfectly straight but it's workable now. I'm wondering if would be better with a higher quality blade?But anyhow,Thank you all for the inputDon't talk about it, Just do it!
Reply:If you have a new blade, then it's the guides. If they're roller bearings or carbide blanks, you need to adjust them square with the table. Take the time to do it right & it'll stay there for years. I've been buying blades for my 9x17 Kalamazoo on ebay. Just bought 6 bi metal blades for $30- inc. s&h- was paying $45 ea! ALWAYS use the bi-metal blades-carbon steel don't hold up worth a ##&^!
Reply:GiddayI've been a Bandsaw Owner for sometime now. Setting up is the key to straight consistent repeatable cuts. As an ex Woodworker heres some Handy links that I found really helpful when i was 1st learning to setup:1. Setting up a Bandsawhttp://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Epwguild/i-bndsaw.htm2.Bandsaw Tune Uphttp://www.diynetwork.com/diy/wk_too...278285,00.html3. Another Look at Bandsaw Tuneuphttp://www.charlottewoodworkers.org/...%20Tuning.htmlAlso heres an Excellent Jig that can be "Setup" for consistant repeatable straight and contour cutting:http://www.frontlineengineering.com.au/Always use a high quality Bi metal Blade for best resultsHope this helpsRegards LouJust do the best u can with what u have at the time