SHOPSMITH 11” BANDSAW
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Page 32
CAUTION
Always release the blade tension when
you finish operating the Bandsaw. This
prolongs blade life and prevents the upper
wheel from taking on an abnormal “set”.
Never tension a 1/16" blade beyond the 1/
8" setting, a 3/16" blade beyond 5/16" (half-
way between 1/4" and 3/8" on the scale), or
a 1/4" blade beyond 3/8". For 3/8" and 1/2"
blades, do not go beyond their proper set-
tings on the tension scale. For 5/8" blades,
use the 1/2" settings.
When the tension is set, spin the idler wheel
by hand (as seen in Fig. B-28), letting the blade
make several complete loops. Make sure that
the blade moves freely.
11. After you’ve spun the blade several times
by hand, it should be centered on the three
roller bearings, indicated in Figs. B-29 and
B-30. The back of the blade should rest
against the auto-track roller bearing and
the lower blade guide roller bearing, and
it should be no more than 1/64" away
from the upper blade guide roller bear-
ing. If the blade is not properly positioned
on the bearings, follow the procedure de-
scribed in “Adjusting Roller Bearings” in
the Alignment section.
Fig. B-28
Fig. B-29
Fig. B-30
Pivot Arm
Flat
Spring
Blade
Tension
scale
Blade
Tension
Screw
Auto-track
roller bearing
Upper
Wheel
A -
Roller bearings
B -
Guide blocks
C -
Guide block locking screws
D -
Guide adjusting knobs
E -
Mounting bolts
F -
Guide post’s adjusting screws
G -
Upper blade guide’s height lock handle
