DIY Network

Bandsaw Maintenance and Viewer Jig: Bandsaw Maintenance From "DIY Tools & Techniques" episode DIT-213

Figure A

Host David Thiel explains the importance of maintaining your bandsaw.

A bandsaw has two wheels, and each wheel has a tire. Tires can wear out after a lot of use and cause alignment problems. To change a worn bandsaw tire, first remove the bolt in the center of the wheel (figure A), then take the wheel off of the bandsaw.

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	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

The tire is the rubber strip that runs in the groove of the wheel and has a crown in the center. This is where the blade of the bandsaw rides. Use a putty knife or spatula to get underneath the tire and pull it up and away from the wheel (figure B). Work the putty knife all the way around the wheel to loosen the tire. Then, use the putty knife to flip the tire over and off of the wheel. Clean the inside of the groove, removing any dirt or debris with lacquer thinner (figure C).

Tip: before putting on a new tire, consult your bandsaw owner's manual to make sure the new tire is the right size for your tool.

Soak the new tire in warm, soapy water to make it easier to put on. Place the new tire into the groove on the wheel; making sure it's centered. Wipe off excess water, and allow the tire to cool down and dry. The tire will shrink some as it cools, which will make it fit tightly around the wheel.

When the tire is cool and dry, put it back on the bandsaw. Then, tighten the bolt with a wrench. Carefully turn the wheel to make sure the blade is tracking in the center of the tire. If not, there is a nut (figure D) on the back of the tool that adjusts the tracking. As you turn the nut, you can see it changing the orientation of the bandsaw. Turn the nut in one direction or the other until you get the tracking aligned. The blade needs to run in the middle of the tire. Once you get it set, turn the second wingnut on the back of the machine to lock it in place.

Note: Blades coming directly from the factory can have sharp back edges. That can cause a tracking problem when you're cutting through the wood. To round the back edge of the blade, run the saw while holding a graphite stone to the back edge of the blade for a few seconds.