ADJUSTMENTS & OPERATION
Blade Break-In Procedures
New blades are very sharp and, therefore, have a tooth geometry which is easily damaged if a careful break-in procedure is not followed.
1) Clamp a section of round stock in the vise. The stock should be two inches or larger in diameter.
2) Operate the bandsaw at low speed. Start the cut with a very light feed rate.
3) When the saw has completed about 1/3 of the cut, increase the feed rate slightly and allow the saw to complete the cut.
4) Keep the feed rate at the same setting and begin a second cut on the same or similar work piece.
5) When the saw has completed about 1/3 of the cut, increase the feed rate while watching the chip information until cutting is at its most
efficient rate (refer to Evaluating Cutting Efficiency in this manual). Allow the saw to complete the cut.
6) The blade is now considered ready for use.
Controlling the Cut
Hydraulic Feed Control
The weight of the saw frame provides the force needed to cut through the workpiece. The saw has a hydraulic cylinder which controls the
feed rate. The hydraulic feed control circuit consists of a single-acting hydraulic cylinder and a flow-control valve. The feed control cylinder
resists motion in the forward direction to control the feed rate. When the cylinder is not locked, the control cylinder offers no resistance when
the saw frame is moved backward. The hydraulic feed rate adjust dial on the control panel controls the rate at which the saw frame moves
forward. The control knob (needle valve) controls the rate at which the hydraulic fluid is released from the hydraulic cylinder. When the
needle valve is closed, the cylinder is locked and the saw frame release lever can not be pushed down to place the saw frame in the
rearmost position. With the needle valve slightly open, the cylinder permits slow, or light, force. Opening the needle valve further increases
the feed rate and applies more force to the saw blade and the workpiece.
The needle valve is adjusted until the bandsaw is operating efficiently. The efficiency of operation is usually evaluated by observing chip
formation. (Refer to Evaluating Cutting Efficiency for more information on cutting efficiency).
Evaluating Cutting Efficiency
Is the blade cutting efficiently? The best way to determine this is to observe the chips formed by the cutting blade.
1) If the chip formation is powdery, then the feed is much too light, or the blade is dull.
2) If the chips formed are curled, but colored - blue or straw colored from heat generated during the cut - then the feed rate is too high.
3) If the chips are slightly curled and are not colored by heat - the blade is sufficiently sharp and is cutting at its most efficient rate.
Setting the Vise for Angle Cuts
The vise can be adjusted from 0- 45˚. Adjust as follows:
1) Loosen the vise fixing hex. bolt (diagram# 140) and remove the taper pin and nut (diagram# 208) from the vise.
2) Rotate the vise to the desired angle. For accurate cuts, use a variable protractor to set the position of the jaw; align one side of the
protractor with one side of the blade.
3) Tighten the hex. bolt on the vise.
Setting the Vise for Square Cuts
The procedure for setting the vise for square cuts is identical to setting for angle cuts except that a machinist’s square is used to position the
vise (Re-install the taper pin and tighten the hex. bolt on the vise).
Work Setup
Move the bandsaw frame in the rearmost position by pushing down on the saw frame release lever (H-Fig.6) and lock it by turning the
hydraulic feed stop dial
(E-Fig.6) clockwise.
1) Turn the lock handle (diagram# 129 & 130) counterclockwise enough to fit the stock.
2) Place the workpiece on the worktable. For long work pieces, provide support at the other end. If necessary, provide additional downward
clamping to hold the workpiece securely on the worktable.
3) Clamp the workpiece in the vise by turning the lock handle clockwise.
Caution!
Do not allow the blade to rest against the workpiece when the saw is not cutting.
