Band saw maintenance and specifications

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Shop Area: Woodshop

Tool: Band Saw

Procedure Number

MT 110-01, Rev. 1

Date

1/21/2021

General

There are two woodworking Band Saws:

  • Rotary International Bridgewood PBS 440: 16 inch vertical bandsaw
  • Rikon 10-326: 14 inch vertical bandsaw

Bandsaws.png

Reference

Maintenance

Cleaning: If you've adjusted the tracking properly but the blade will not stay centered inside the slot, it probably means the wheel needs cleaning. Depending on what you've been cutting -- pine is a likely suspect -- sawdust mixes with resin and clings to the blade. As it travels around in a circle, the sticky sawdust packs onto the wheel, causing a buildup. The buildup causes the blade to wander back and forth inside the slot. Remove the blade and use a putty knife to scrape off any packed sawdust, dirt or grime from the wheel until it's clean. Wipe off the blade and install it, turn on the saw, and readjust the tracking.

Blade: Check blade tracking, blade tension, and condition of band wheels.

  • Daily: Inspect blade, blade wipers, blade guides, sawing fluid condition and ratio, hydraulic system oil level, and chip removal system.
  • Weekly: Check maximum and minimum band speed range and calibrate if necessary.
  • Quarterly: Clean sawing fluid reservoir and screen.
  • Biannually: Change hydraulic fluid filters, clean hydraulic fluid reservoir magnetic plug, lubricate saw column pivot point, and inspect and adjust blade guides. Check band wheel bearings, band guides, drives, belts, and vises.
  • Annually: Drain hydraulic fluid tank and clean fluid strainer and filter. Replace hydraulic fluid and transmission oil.
  • Dull Blade: If you've tightened the blade sufficiently and the blade still wanders, you might have a dull blade. Test the sharpness of the blade by cutting into a piece of scrap wood. If you have to use excessive force to push the wood through the blade, or you see wisps of smoke coming from the wood or the blade, it's probably dull. If the teeth are burnt with dark tips, the blade needs changing. The blade should be replaced if the ends of the teeth are bent or blunted.

Blade Tracks

  • Ensure blade tracks are true and ride correctly in the blade guides.
  • Blade Tracking: Turn on the saw and observe the blade as it travels down through the slot in the top of the table. The blade should be centered in the slot. If the blade is too far forward or too far back, or even rubs at the front or back, it means the tracking is off and needs adjusting

Blade Tension

  • Check the accuracy of the blade tension using a tension gage. The correct spacing between the back edge of the blade and the flange of the wheel should be approximately 132’’, though it may vary according to different manufacturers’ instructions. Adjust if necessary.
  • Tension: draw a line across a piece of scrap wood. Attempt to cut along the line. If you have trouble following the line or the blade wanders back and forth across the line, your blade might be too loose. The blade should flex no more than 1/4 inch when you push it sideways.

Band Wheels, Band Wheel/Bearings

  • Assess the band wheels for surface and flange wear.
  • Remove any chips that could fill the grooves and impede band wheels from turning freely.
  • Replace when surfaces or flanges are worn, cracked, or chipped.
  • Check the maximum and minimum band speed with a tachometer; the reading should match the gauge.
  • Check band wheel bearings for unusual wheel movement and replace as needed.

Blade Guides

  • Clean chips from blade guides and wipers daily.
  • Do not use blade guides that are chipped or cracked.
  • For maximum support, move the guide arm as close as possible to the workpiece.
  • Ensure the guide holds the blade with the correct pressure.
  • Check that band guides are perpendicular to material vice and adjust if necessary.
  • If cuts become incorrect or crooked, or blade fails prematurely, adjust the guide alignment.

Lubricant/Sawing Fluid

  • Check sawing fluid or lubricants daily. Keep the level to the machine’s specifications.
  • Ensure the fluid flows freely through all fluid nozzles.
  • Only use lubricant or sawing fluid that is clean and mixed properly. Test the ratio using a refractometer in addition to visual inspection.
  • When replacing the fluid, start with water and carefully add the correct quantity lubricating fluid as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Hydraulic System

  • Monitor hydraulic fluid levels. Low oil level may cause air in the lines and impede the hydraulic system.
  • Watch for sediment in the bottom of the reservoir, as it could block the line and filter.
  • Check oil level daily.

Drive System

  • Inspect all areas with bearings for oil leaks.
  • Check transmission level and replace any defective seals.
  • Check drive wheel of gear-driven machines for excess play, which indicates worn gears.
  • Check pulleys for proper alignment, tension and wear. Adjust if possible or replace if damaged.
  • Check drive belt and chip brush belt for cracks, wear and stretching.

Vises

  • Clean chips from vise jaws.
  • Check for wear and correct alignment on both stationary and moveable vises.

Chip Removal System

  • Inspect to ensure the auger or conveyor system works properly and removes all chips.
  • Check that screens are not allowing chips into the sawing fluid/lubricant tank.
  • Check the chip brush. It should keep chips from re-entering the cut.

List of Specifications

Rikon

Motor ............................................................................................. 1.75 HP, TEFC

Motor Speed (no load)......................................................................... 1,720 RPM

Volts ................................................................................................... 115 / 230 V

Amps, Hertz, Phase .............................................................. 14 / 7 A, 60 Hz, 1Ph

Blade Length ................................................................................111” (2,819 mm)

Blade Width ..................................................................3/16” - 3/4” (4.78 - 19 mm)

Blade Speed ........................................ 1,445 / 2,950 ft/min (440.5 / 899.2 m/min)

Table Size (W x D) ............................................ 21-1/2” x 15-3/4” (546 x 400 mm)

Table Tilt ................................................................................... Left -70 , Right 45°

Miter Gauge T-Slots (2) ......................................................................... 3/4” x 3/8”

Maximum Cutting Width (throat) ................................................ 13-5/8” (346 mm)

Maximum Cutting Depth (height) ..................................................... 13” (330 mm)

Table Height ........................................................................... 40-3/8” (1,026 mm)

Fence Height ..................................................................................... 6” (152 mm)

Fence Length ............................................................................ 18-3/4’” (476 mm)

Dust Ports (1) ..................................................................... 4” Diameter (100 mm)

Base Size (LxWxH) ....................... 24” x 17-5/16” x 1-3/16” (610 x 440 x 30 mm)

Overall Height ......................................................................... 74-1/2” (1,892 mm)

Overall Width x Depth.................................... 34-1/4” x 25-13/16” (870 x 656mm)

Net Weight ................................................................................... 285 lbs (129 kg)

 

Bridgewood PBS 440

  • Blade Length: 145"
  • Blade Width: 1" for resaw
  • Blade TPI: 2 or 3
                                         END OF THE PROCEDURE