Woodstock SHOP FOX M1054 - Manual (Page 39)

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M1048 10" x 18" Metal Cutting Bandsaw
SE
RV
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Figure 34. Blade cutting direction.
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Blade Tension & Tracking
Figure 35. Blade tension guide.
Blade Tension Guide
NOTICE
Loosen blade tension at the end of each day to pro-
long blade life.
To tension the blade on the bandsaw, do these steps:
1. Turn the blade tension handle clockwise to tension
the blade.
2. Use the graduated scale on the blade tension indica-
tor ( Figure 35) to determine blade tension in PSI.
— For carbon blades, the blade tension should be
20,000 PSI.
— For bi-metal blades, like the one supplied with
your machine, the blade should be tensioned from
30,000 to 35,000 PSI.
The blade tracking has been properly set at the fac-
tory. The tracking will rarely need to be adjusted if the
bandsaw is used properly. Do not attempt to adjust track-
ing until the blade is properly tensioned.
To adjust the blade tracking on the bandsaw, do these
steps:
1. Loosen or tighten the tracking set screw in Figure
36 until the blade is tracking properly. The blade
is tracking properly when the back of the blade is
lightly touching the flange of both wheels.
2. Remove the V-belt from the motor pulley and spin
either wheel by hand to observe how the blade is
tracking. Make sure the blade teeth are not cutting
into any part of the saw. Adjust as needed.
Proper blade tension is essential to long blade life,
straight cuts, and efficient cutting. The Model M1048 fea-
tures a blade tension indicator to assist you with blade
tensioning.
Two major signs that you do not have proper blade ten-
sion are: 1) the blade stalls in the cut and slips on the
wheels, and 2) the blade frequently breaks from being
too tight.
Figure 36. Tracking set screw.
Tracking Set Screw