The Bandsaw is a powerful wood cutting tool and it can easily perform many complicated woodworking tasks accurately. But, a faulty blade can ruin your day no matter how expensive the band saw is!
Replacing the blade of your Bandsaw might be a little bit tricky job especially if you are doing it for the first time. But if you do it right, you will be able to change your Bandsaw blade without facing any major trouble.
To make your life simple, here I am going to present you the best and the smartest technique about how to change a bandsaw blade. Remember, the procedure takes less time if you pay undivided attention to it. So, stay focus.
Learn How to Change A Bandsaw Blade Following 10 Easy Steps
To cut things properly; you have to install the correct blade maintaining the correct manner. I mean, you need to be familiar with both the blade changing and saw adjusting mechanism to keep the installed blade straight and functioning.
Whether you like it or not, you need to change your Bandsaw blade from time to time. That’s why I have prepared this guide. Let’s start…
Step 01: Unplug the machine
The first thing you need to do is to disconnect the bandsaw from electricity or open the circuit breaker. It makes sure that the saw does not turn on at the time of changing its blade. Otherwise, it can cause serious harm to you or your expensive device.
Step 02: Open the wheel guards or cabinets
After disconnecting the saw from the power, open up both the top and bottom wheel guards. You will find two tires or wheels connecting each other using the band saw blade. You are going to change this blade in the next steps. Properly clean the inside part of the cabinets using any dry cloth to get rid of any dust or chips.
Step 03: Retract all the blade guides
Start by pulling the carbide guide blocks outwards. You need to loosen the guide block set screw with a hex wrench to do that. Now take back the blade support bearing by turning the support bearing micro-adjusting knob anti-clockwise. Finally, pull back the whole guide block assembly. Do this on both the upper and lower blade guides.
Step 04: Unwind the blade
After retracting the blade guards you need to release the blade tension by turning the tension handle or knob upward. You will find this handle on the top of the saw’s upper drive wheel guard. Rotate this knob (vertically shafted) counterclockwise and it will loosen down the tension of the blade. Turn the knob until the blade becomes pliable.
Step 05: Remove the rear and under table blade guard
The rear blade guard wraps the bandsaw blade while protecting you in the event of blade rupture. You need to take out the screws which are keeping this rear blade guard in its position so that you can easily remove the guards.
Also, you will find some blocks, wrap-around blade guard and adjustment wheels underneath the table. To loosen this under-table blade guard, at first, take out the white plastic object from the centre of the bandsaw table.
After that, you will find the screw of the under-table blade guard below this hole. Carefully untie the screw to loosen the blade guard. You can use a screwdriver to do this.
Step 06: Take away the bandsaw blade
After removing blade guards and whole guide block assembly, you should replace the band saw blade. Before that, make sure that you have raised those guides up to their highest position and removed the table levelling pin.
To bring the blade out, you should make the right turn and take the blade out through the slot of table. Wear leather gloves and eye protector to avoid any accident. Also, keep this blade to a safe place.
Step 07: Clean the wheels
Now, carefully inspect the bandsaw tires. It should be clean and free of any dust, rust or small unwanted particles. Because a dirty tire can interfere with your new blade and can put a negative impact on the machine or blade performance.
Thankfully, you can easily eliminate this type of disturbing sticky dirt with a small steel roller as a scraper. Just place it on the wheel with one hand and rotate the wheel manually with the other hand. Finally, use a dry cloth to wipe out all the remaining dust.
Step 08: Placing the new blade
Make sure you have bought the appropriate blade. Remember, you don’t need to buy expensive blades but you have to purchase sharp blades for precise operation. So, get a few at a time and every blade must have 3 teeth per inch.
Now, insert the new blade through the slot of the table and place it onto the wheels. Rotate that vertically shafted tension knob. Rotate it clockwise and adjust the blade to centre it on the upper wheel perfectly.
Moreover, you will find the tension marks for various blades on the tension device at the back of the bandsaw. Provide medium tension according to the width of your blade.
Step 09: Adjust the Tilt
Loosen the wind-nut to unlock the tilt adjusting knob. Adjust the upper drive wheel tilt by slightly turning this knob by hand. After adjusting the tilt tighten the wind nut to lock the tilt adjusting knob again.
Step 10: Put everything back again
Finally, adjust the tracking of the blade and start putting everything back on its operating position. Bring down the blade guides on its actual position and tighten the set screws to fix the carbide guide block.
Make sure that these guide blocks barely touch the blade but do not flex the blade and do not touch the tooth of the blade. Also, adjust the blade support bearing. Do the same thing for the lower guide. Place the white plastic round plate back into its original position and insert the table leveling pin.
Now, close the wheel cabinets and turn the machine by connecting it to the power source. Observe the behavior of the blade to check its adjustability.
Final words
All most all bandsaw problems are blade related and a dull blade can cause blade drift. So, knowing how to change a bandsaw blade can easily help you get rid of these problems quickly.
Hopefully, you won’t face any issue if you follow these steps patiently.
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One thought on “How to Change A Bandsaw Blade: 10 Easy Steps”
such a great content,
I am a professional woodworker and i have 6 years experience in this field, also i have some tool like a miter saw, circular saw and band saw.
Once i was damaged the blade while installing the new blade because i wan not proper idea to change the blade.
May, after read this informative post i will change the blade easily.
moreover, Thanks for sharing your thought with us.
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