New (used) bandsaw- I need some help

[Mac53]

First off- hopefully this is an okay forum. It is a metal bandsaw, but I'm sure the principals are the same as wood and other bandsaws as well.

I've been needing a bandsaw for a while and refused to buy one from harbor freight. I picked up one of a similar size and shape to the little "horizontal / vertical" bandsaws they sell, just JET branded. It seems to cut just fine, but the blade twists terribly while cutting. Pretty much once the teeth are fully into the metal, it starts to make a sharp turn out and away from the saw. I think if I let it run all the way the blade might snap. Could it just be a worn blade? I tried adjusting it out of it, but I just don't know what else there is to cause this.

[Twilight Fenrir]

Hello there,

It wouldn't think it would be a worn blade... it should just be a matter of adjustment, though. Either the blade tension isn't tight enough, or the roller guides aren't set right.

Your pictures cut off a bit... but one set of guides should be on an adjustable boom. And you can shrink the gap between guides to accommodate narrower work, and that should help with your problem as well.

[Brophy]

I've seen a worn blade do that very thing dozens of times.

As Twilight Fenrir sez, check your tension and guide bearings as well but I bet you need a new blade.

Rob

[international3414]

would too much down pressure,do that...do those saws have something like a counter weight

[Mac53]

Twilight - both guides are on arms that adjust, one hardly moves at all, and the other is adjusted in as much as possible. Unfortunately, they don't move closer than about 6".... Though, if I could get it to cut straight, I could maybe make a new arm that would be able to move closer.

Brophy- Do you have any idea why this happens to worn blades?

International- It has an adjustable tensioner for down-pressure, but even adjusted way off it continues to do this.

What is the correct way to set the blade tension and guides?

[Brophy]

One side of the blade is cutting more efficiently than the other...the teeth could be dull or damaged on one side. It happens. Might have been from overheating or it's just worn out.

If you have a spare blade, throw it on and see.

Buy good quality blades...they are worth it.

The adjustable guide should be set to the lowest point possible without interfering with the cut. A guide set too far away will cause a wandering blade as well.

[Chillylulu]

Even with a new blade a metal band saw will pull to the side if your feed rate is too fast. Many have a hydraulic cylinder that limits the speed the saw falls in horizontal mode. Upright you control the feed rate. 

Some have a counter weight that helps control the feed rate. 

Metal cutting is considerably slower than wood cutting.   Especially if the blade is dull. It can still cut straight, just slower when dull.

Try to set guide rollers as close as you can, and use the widest blade your saw can take.

Chilly