Laguna Tools 16HD Classic, Manual

Page: 49 / 100

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Maintenance and troubleshooting
All tools and machines require regular maintenance, and the bandsaw is no
exception. This section details the general maintenance and care of your
bandsaw. In general, we recommend that you only use a Teflon-based
lubricant on the bandsaw. Regular oil attracts dust and dirt and the Teflon
tends to dry and has fewer tendencies to accumulate dirt and sawdust on your
machine.
Cleanliness and tire maintenance
One of the major concerns is the cleanliness,
in particular, how clean the tires are. As the
saw cuts, some sawdust lands on the tire of
the lower wheel. As the wheel rotates, the
sawdust becomes compressed on the tire.
This is especially true for woods such as pine.
The compressed sawdust could have a
negative effect, such as vibration, short blade
life and cause the blade to drift.
A brush contacts the lower wheel and helps to prevent buildup. You should
inspect the tires regularly to check that buildup is not happening, especially the
lower wheel. The tires are made of rubber and wear just like car tires. They
wear in the middle, which causes a concavity in the tire. The deformation
makes it hard to track the blades, and for this reason it is important to maintain
the original shape of the tire.
The best way to clean the tire surface and maintain the original shape is to
sand it with sand paper. The old tire surface often hardens and glazes over and
should be redressed occasionally. This can be done by sanding the wheel with
100-grit sandpaper. This will take off a little of the rubber and expose new
rubber, which is desirable. Rotate the wheels by hand with the blade removed.
Guides
The ceramic side and back guides should be inspected regularly for cracks and
chips. If they are damaged, they should be replaced as they could damage your
blades and bad guides will detract from the performance of the bandsaw. The
guides should be cleaned regularly and any wood gum or dirt removed. Any
commercially available solvent can be used, and after cleaning they should be
lubricated with Teflon-based lubricant.