It lasted just a little over a year

[egnald]

It was February last year when my bandsaw blade failed, only it was just a pop-flippy flippy flippy sound rather than today's almost crap your pants BANG! Of course I had a replacement blade all ready to go and I also replaced and re-aligned the guide bearings because they were getting a little stiff. I'm going to have to order more bearings and another blade so I am ready for next year's bandsaw surprize.

Dave

 

[leehljp]

Dave, I perceive that you are far more organized than I am. However, in case you are even 1% like me - I forget to release the tension on my BS often and 2. I often wait too long to replace the tires.

Unfortunately those two items cause me to hear the BANG about once every 3 or 4 years - usually after I haven't used it for a two or three months.

 

[egnald]

Dave, I perceive that you are far more organized than I am. However, in case you are even 1% like me - I forget to release the tension on my BS often and 2. I often wait too long to replace the tires.

Unfortunately those two items cause me to hear the BANG about once every 3 or 4 years - usually after I haven't used it for a two or three months.

I have a new set of tires, but so far the factory one's are still holding up great - tracking is spot on. Of course I did add a "Clean Sweep Bandsaw Brush" - essentially a nylon bristled paintbrush kind of thing that mounts against the lower wheel. So maybe it is doing as it's marketing claims, "Extends bandsaw tire life".

I rarely release the tension on mine too, but then again I use it almost every day - so when I do, I always forget to apply tension before I turn it on and I hate it! I have all of the parts to build a solid state relay that will only apply power to the saw if a limit switch detects the tensioning lever in the appropriate position (using a magnetic switch) but I need to get it assembled and installed. Maybe then I can learn to be more habitual about taking the tension off when I'm done using it.

Dave

 

[bugradx2]

Dave, I perceive that you are far more organized than I am. However, in case you are even 1% like me - I forget to release the tension on my BS often and 2. I often wait too long to replace the tires.

Unfortunately those two items cause me to hear the BANG about once every 3 or 4 years - usually after I haven't used it for a two or three months.

I do a fair amount of scroll work making bandsaw boxes in the shape of apples for my kids teachers. 1/8" blades only last a year to 18 months here but they're getting pushed pretty hard with their cuts too.

My other blades don't cry when they come in my shop

(sarcasm intended above but I have gone through probably 3 1/8" blades in 6 or so years)

 

[randyrls]

I have heard the "thunder of doom", and had to change clothes!

I started to take painters tape and surround the blade with 4 pieces of tape. It prevents small off-cuts from falling through the blade opening and getting caught between the blade and the drive wheel. Better than a zero clearance insert as it is easily replaced.