9 replies to this topic

[HOTH]

I was using my bandsaw today to cut some 1/4 polycarb sheeting for some homemade internals, and noticed that the blade was beginning to bend rather dramatically to my right (the saw's left) while cutting. It caused the cut to be quite curved, and was pretty concerning to me not only for the sake of my wasted plastic but also for safety. I have had and used this tool, a Ryobi Bandsaw, for about 5years now and I have not noticed and shortcomings up to now. My first thought was that one of the screws that holds the bearings in place was loose, but they were both on tight. I have not opened it up or anything, and am contemplating whether or not I should. Has anyone had this trouble before, or at least knows what could potentially be wrong? I suppose I could supply some images, but that would require me taking them with one hand while operating the saw with the other. Or getting someone else to take them for me. Both sound like a lot of work. But I can get some images if need be. Here is the exact make of the saw:


Edit- I'm thinking it could have something to do with the band tension. Can someone confirm this?

Ryobi BS903



I was also contemplating getting a scoll-saw, but figured it would be rather useless with a bandsaw handy. Any suggestions in this arena?

Thanks all

Edited by HOTH, 24 January 2013 - 04:34 AM.

[Crater]

What could you possibly lose by opening it?

[HOTH]

What could you possibly lose by opening it?

I do not think I could possibly lose anything, I just want to know if its necessary. If someone has experienced this before, maybe they can give me a quicker tip. So I suppose the more direct, albeit pretentious, answer to your question would be time.

Edited by HOTH, 24 January 2013 - 04:31 AM.

[Phoenix66]

It's called blade drift. It's very common in cheap bandsaws that are in the 100-200$ price range. more expensive/bigger saws will not have as much blade drift, and are usually better built. You an fiddle with your saw all you want, but there will still be some drift of some sort. Even the expensive bandsaws have drift unless you buy one of those Laguna Bandsaws, but those are about 5k.
My advice to you is to watch videos on YouTube about how to beat bandsaw drift, because there are ways to reduce it, but not totally remove it.
I also highly suggest the bandsaw tuneup video from the wood whisperer. It's very good.

Edited by Phoenix66, 24 January 2013 - 08:06 AM.

[Meaker VI]

Sounds like you could use more blade tension too; but if you've been using the same blade for 5 years (which you must have, you haven't opened it up so how would you get a blade in or out?), it might be getting worn out. Opening up the case ought to be totally fine; I open up my cheapy delta after every use to clean out the sawdust. There should be a hinge and cabinet latches to facilitate opening it up easily.

Check out Woodgears for some very good analysis of bandsaw problems, and fixes for those problems.

[snickers]

It's called blade drift. It's very common in cheap bandsaws that are in the 100-200$ price range. more expensive/bigger saws will not have as much blade drift, and are usually better built. You an fiddle with your saw all you want, but there will still be some drift of some sort. Even the expensive bandsaws have drift unless you buy one of those Laguna Bandsaws, but those are about 5k.
My advice to you is to watch videos on YouTube about how to beat bandsaw drift, because there are ways to reduce it, but not totally remove it.
I also highly suggest the bandsaw tuneup video from the wood whisperer. It's very good.

Sounds like you could use more blade tension too; but if you've been using the same blade for 5 years (which you must have, you haven't opened it up so how would you get a blade in or out?), it might be getting worn out. Opening up the case ought to be totally fine; I open up my cheapy delta after every use to clean out the sawdust. There should be a hinge and cabinet latches to facilitate opening it up easily.

Check out Woodgears for some very good analysis of bandsaw problems, and fixes for those problems.

I second everything both of them said. You could also turn the yellow knob at the top to tension it more. You might also have a bent blade.

[481IceDragon]

I used a scroll saw for cutting polycarbonate and Absolutley hated it. It vibrated so much it cracked the sheet..

[quertyman]

I used a scroll saw for cutting polycarbonate and Absolutley hated it. It vibrated so much it cracked the sheet..

Really? that doesn't sound anything like polycarb at all. I made my plus bow and other things on it and it works fine. Are you sure that it is polycarbonate and not acrylic? Because I have heard acrylic sucks to use and cracks easily.

[Nerfomania]

I used a scroll saw for cutting polycarbonate and Absolutley hated it. It vibrated so much it cracked the sheet..

Then you were not cutting polycarbonate. Likely mistook Acrylic for poly.

You were also not using the proper speed and/or cutting motion and downward pressure.



On The note of the thread, yes it probably needs adjusted. It probably would not hurt to pull the blade and get a good look at it either.

Edited by _Nerfomania_, 24 January 2013 - 11:41 PM.

[HOTH]

Thanks for all the info. I cracked opened the bandsaw, and it really is a simple machine to work on. I used an angle finder to adjust the fence and it seems to be working as well as it should be.