Craftsman 315.214500 - Manual (Page 15)

ADJUSTMENTS
Note: The blade may need to be turned inside out if
the teeth are pointing in the wrong direction. Hold the
blade with both hands and rotate it inward. '
■ Place the blade through the upper blade guides
and around the upper wheel. Place the blade
around the lower wheel on the left. Work the
blade around the third wheel making sure it goe^
between the lower blade guides. Pull down on
the upper wheel slightly to place the saw blade
on the third wheel, if needed. Slowly turn the
upper wheel to the right or clockwise by hand to
center the blade on the rubber tires.
■ Adjust the blade tension and check or adjust the
blade tracking. See pages 15 and 16.
■ Adjust both upper and lower blade guides and
thrust bearings. See pages 17 and 18.
■ Replace the truss head screw and wing nut.
Tighten securely.
■ Close the cover of the band saw.
ADJUSTING BLADE TENSION
See Figures 14 and 15.
■ Turn off and unplug the saw.
iV WARNING: Failure to unplug your saw could
result in accidental starting causing possible
serious personal injury.
QUICK RELEASE KNOB
TENSION ADJUSTING KNOB
TO RELEASE TO ENGAGE
Fig. 14
The tension adjusting knob is on the top of the
saw. Rotate the quick release knob {outer, larger
knob) 1/4 turn to the left or counterclockwise to
release blade tension.
TO INCREASE
TENSION
TO DECREASE
TENSION
Fig. 15
■ Turn the tension adjusting knob (upper, smaller
knob) to the right or clockwise to increase
tension or raise the upper wheel. Turn it to the
ieft or counterciockwise to decrease tension on
the blade or lower the upper wheel.
Note: Adjustments of the blade tension can be made
at anytime. The quick release knob can be either
released or engaged while making adjustments wi№
the tension adjusting knob.
■ Rotate the quick release knob to the right or
clockwise 1/4 turn to engage tension before
using the band saw.
■ To check the tension, raise the blade guide
assembly all the way up exposing the blade.
■ Pushing the blade to the side with moderate
force, the blade should deflect approximately
1/8 in.
Another method of checking the tension has to do
with the sound the blade makes when plucked like a
guitar string.
■ Pluck the back straight edge on the coasting side
opposite the blade guides while turning the
tension knob. Sound shouid be a musical note.
Sound becomes less flat as tension increases.
Sound decreases with too much tension.
Using either method to check tension requires knowing
your band saw and can be developed with practice.
■ Never tension the blade so tight as to completely
compress the spring. The spring can no longer
act as a shock absorber.
Note: Be careful not to over tension the blade. Too
much tension may cause the blade to break. Too little
tension may cause the blade to slip on the wheels.
15