The DEFINITIVE Guide to Setting up a BANDSAW
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video, I show you how to set up your bandsaw for optimum performance. I’ll take you through everything from blade selection to tensioning, tracking, bearing adjustment and fence alignment to get your bandsaw performing as it should do!
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My name is Matt Estlea and I’m a Woodworker from Basingstoke, England. My aim is to make your woodworking less s***.
I come from 5 years of TRAINING at Rycotewood Furniture Centre in Oxford, 5 years of experience WORKING at Axminster Tools and Machinery in Basingstoke, and 3 years TEACHING both day classes and evening classes at Rycotewood Furniture Centre. All while trying to get this TH-cam thing off the ground.
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Guys, I've absolutely LOADED the description with a bunch of links. Please have a look, particularly at the Bandsaw VS. Table Saw article. I wrote it in a bit of a rush (as stated at the end of the article) and I'd love to hear you input on the matter. Cheers!
Keep loading I say..
The My Bandsaw link does not work :(
9
*Perfect band saw for the hobby enthusiast **MyBest.Tools** Easy to set up and square. Had it running in 10 to 15 minutes. Quality of cuts will depend on the quality of the blades.*
Matt, I’m relatively new to woodworking, spent much of 2020 2021 in a luthier shop and made a complete handmade guitar so I got a bit of a start but I’m now building anything I can get my hands on from simple furniture to bandsaw boxes. Bought an inexpensive Rikon bandsaw and had a bear of a time getting it to cut straight and found your video. I hope you understand the impact you can have on people half a world away, because the first thing I did was follow your advice and get rid of the blade came with it and, somewhat out of character for me, but three very expensive blades, a 3/16 inch 3/8 inch and a half inch. Used your video as a guide, takes me about 10 minutes to switch plates, you have a fan for life. Works perfectly. If you ever get to the Boston area give me a call and I’ll buy you a beer, heck I’ll buy you dinner
Tip (from experience!): When you coil up the blade, wrap a cable tie / string around it. I’ve had one come off the wall at head height, and uncoil at speed. It caused only minor injury, but it did it while I was concentrating on a close up cut on the bandsaw!
This little band saw has turned out to be the best tool purchase I've ever made th-cam.com/users/postUgkx5ZrqmYO2uJq_nuU8TopyWxVzn8vqmPUL Once doing the set-up as per the included suggestions, this table top tool has been my go-to saw ever since (8 months as of this review). There are few things I wouldn't attempt with this saw. It takes up much less space than my table saw yet delivers twice as much punch. I've used it to create slices of wood no thicker than an 1/16th of inch by using the POWERTEC BS900RF Rip Fence. For small shop projects this tool can't be beat.
You're the first person to mention (at 11:18) about checking if the blade was inside out or not. I set up my first ever bandsaw and couldn't work out what was going on until I watched this and realised what had happened. Thanks!
Hi matt I've watched lots of videos about setting up. But no one ever talks about the back of the bandsaw .SO here go's How do I change the drive belt at the back from high speed to lower speed for hard woods Thanks Mate. I have a 14 inch Charnwood band saw. and your right about the factory blade...
As others have said, this is the most thoroughly explained video I've seen on bandsaw setup. Outstanding job Matt!
I know I'm late to the table here but just discovered your channel by accident and watched this video. This video is hands down one of the best in depth guides on bandsaw setup I've seen. Everything in just enough detail without being so long that I got bored. Well done, you definitely earned a like and subscribe. Keep up the great work.
I bought a new budget parkside bandsaw and spent best part of 2 weeks sorting tracking out with no success. (Cutting to the right). Came across your video and binned the blade supplied and bought a new blade (Dakin flathers ). Now cuts perfectly straight so fantastic tip !! Thank you.
I don't know if you look back at these old postings or not but because if your video I now have a way better grasp of my bandsaw and its now working better than ever. Thanks for the help.
This is the best bandsaw set up tutorial anywhere on TH-cam! Now did it work? Did it ever! Brilliant Matt!
Hi Matt. Thanks for your tips. My bandsaw has never ran so true and so quiet. Very much appreciated
This tutorial was VERY helpful. I inherited a bandsaw when my father died years ago, but am/was clueless how to set it up correctly. He built a nice cabinet for it and the motor runs beautifully. I can't wait to use it! THX Matt
Aaaah man... wish I'd found this video a year ago!! Been looking everywhere to find someone to help explain/ fix the tracking issues i was having with my bandsaw and all I could find were smug dudes debating the existence of blade drift. This is the most comprehensive video explanation i have found on set up that covers some fundamental, top to bottom issues that may seem basic to some but are often overlooked by many. You manage to cover a lot of ground in a straightforward way without a hint of condescension- thank you!🙏🏻
Being in England it is too cold for me to play in my shed over the Winter months, and so I back off the tension on my bandsaw blade before hibernating... Really all I wanted was a refresher on tensioning the blade again, you went way past that and now I am going to not only re tension my blade, but track it and set the bearings as well... Well doe that man, excellent video, thank you so much, deffo thumbs up from me...
Hey Matt
Thanks for your youtube. My brand new Jet saw, was screeming and dit not bite into the wood. My garda belov tje table was total wrong placed. I baught a new blade, fine tuned everything, and WOW now i got a bandsw… wish you the best👍
Absolutely wonderful video! I'm sure many others have said this too! Clear description, very helpful drawings which are well done, no bravado or unnecessary hype and a lot of good tips! Thank you!
Nice job, clearly explaining the setup of the saw.... learned a number of things that should correct some issues I've had with my saw. Thank you!
Just got my first band saw, a baby little lumberjack BS228 and I already love it! I've been cutting angal tenons with it all day and can't wait to get back on it tomorrow.
Matt, I was about to scrap my brand new bandsaw until I watched this and heard you say the blades that come with them are rubbish. I got two new blades, set them up according to your instructions and now I have a fine cutting instrument. Thanks!
Easily the best video on setting up a bandsaw I've watched. Very user friendly and broken down so even a wally like me can understand. Thanks Matt.
Thank you very much for this video. I'm new to woodworking and my new bandsaw was giving me fits. This video highlighted how I had it set up wrong. Now it cuts like a champ! Appreciate all your work. Cheers.
Love your videos! Thanks for the effort. One thing your US viewers might like to know is that Axminster will ship directly to the USA and shipping is extremely reasonable. I just placed an order for items totaling $63 (US) and shipping was only $9 (US). Also, you can get the Axminister Bandsaw Buddy for less than half what Carter wants for the equivalent item.
I just got a grizzly Go555lx and I found this video very helpful. Thank you my friend from across the pond
Matt, I’d explore you to look again at the Alex Snodgrass video for how to safely open up a stored bandsaw blade. You’re right to be concerned about danger when opening these, but two hands will keep the spring action under control without damaging the teeth. BTW, I’ve watched your channel get better and better over the years. Nicely done!
This is a fantastic video, the advice about changing the blade the band saw comes with made a massive difference. Keep up the good work!
I read that bit about the table saw. I see your point. I've noticed that sometimes you use the band saw, as a table saw. I don't own either, and don't think I need'em. You convinced me I don't need a table saw, it's just convenient. I applied your logic, and relized the same is true of band saws. I still would like both.
Thanks, just took one piece away from this and it total changed how my bandsaw performed. Got a nice clean, straight cut 😀
Snodgrass is a bandsaw legend. Followed his setup, and my bandsaw sings. Also, seek out double sealed bearings. They are not expensive and keep the wood dust out, which wrecks the bearings.
Seen a number of bandsaw set up vids. This was the best one. Simple to follow and covered it all. Many thanks :)
Excellent, Matt ! Well spoken; well laid out and brilliantly explained. You have evidently learned well and are mindful of sound avice. Well done, young man, tha nk you !
so happy that you did this video, I have just taken delivery of my Axminster band saw a week ago and not had time to set it up properly just yet. I am very happy with it even with the factory blade which is off this planet compared to my old job sit band saw from Screwfix. I am also going on the Axminster band saw course.
Thank you Matt. Your training videos are gold.
As ever Matt, a great tutorial. I had to come back and watch again around the bandsaw buddy part because my Axminster bandsaw fence just would not adjust as you showed. In the end I had to modify the fence to allow more adjustment! Oh, well, all good now thanks to your tutorial.
I learnt more about bandsaws in this than anything else I've ever seen. Thanks Matt.
That’s really good to hear. Thank you!
Hi, the best band saw video explanation! Very very useful. Many tks for yr effort no that.
Grettings from Argentina 👍
Love your videos Matt. I keep returning to videos like this one.
Great video! I just got a grizzly bandsaw which looks exactly like yours in every way. Same bearings, wheels, adjustments, tensioner, it all looks exactly the same. Thanks!!!
Another excellent video Matt.
I just bought my first bandsaw, and have seen a number of videos and posts on setup.
There's definitely some conflicting info between them, especially where the blade is supposed to ride on the the tire.
Centering the gullet whenever possible as both you and Snodgrass suggest makes the most sense.
Something that just makes no sense to me is why a manufacturer (who we will assume is proud of their equipment) would ship their equipment with possibly the worst blade a person could get their hands on.
Of course they would probably say, well, we don't know the specific purpose this person is going to use the saw for, and they'll probably just replace the blade with one that suits their needs.
My guess is if someone is buying a bandsaw, they're going to be buying it so they can cut wood.
And in doing so, most likely they would eventually be performing all of the cuts that a bandsaw is capable of doing.
So why not equip a new saw with a decent general use blade that is actually capable of cutting wood in an effective manner, rather then sell it with a POS that is no good for anything?
Well, waaaaaaaa! They might say. A good blade costs us money!!!!
Well waaaaa I say. A good band saw costs ME money!
There needs to be a balance.
I've worked in the restaurant biz for many years, as well as owning one for ten of them.
Some things are profitable to offer, some are not, but you offer them anyways as part of the entire service.
For example: As a customer, you might pay $2.00 or more for a glass of iced tea, when quite possibly the restaurant's cost is only 2 cents, maybe even less, making it a good profit item.
As the owner of a fine restaurant, you might want to offer the very best steak you possibly can.
In order not to gouge your customers (thus promoting future visits, ie purchases, you offer that fine steak pretty much at your cost, which leaves almost zero profit on that item.
BUT, the big picture needs to be looked at.
You just made $1.98 off that 2 cent glass of tea, or possibly a whole heck of a lot more on the alcohol purchased with that meal, as well as a desert, and many other little high profit items.
If you give a customer a crappy steak as part of their meal package, they most likely won't be happy and won't return in the future.
So as a business, it makes a hell of a lot more sense to make a little bit of many times, than it does to make a bunch only once.
Sorry, this got a little long, but to recap, why sell a saw equipped with a blade that doesn't saw, and is frustratingly impossible to set up?
It certainly doesn't lead to a first time customer believing they chose the right product or brand.
You are an outstanding instructor. Thank You
The blackboard made me chuckle, a great addition to the workshop
As always, great video. You explain very well.
There is one use of terminology that may be another case of British vs. American--"tracking". You use it as if it's a bad thing, like what I would call "wandering" or "mistracking". We would use tracking as the thing you want, the cut stays on track.
Next time I buy a bandsaw, the adjustment mechanism for the guide bearings and thrust bearings will be an important consideration. On mine, when you loosen one set screw the whole thing is loose, front to back, side to side and closeness to the blade. If you loosen the screw to tweak one of those the whole thing moves. Makes you not want to bother with minor adjustments.
One of the Best instructional videos I,v seen. Thank You so much. John from USA, Wisconsin.
You're a great guy Thanks for a great video with professional explanations. thanks
Thanks. Great vid. Super helpful. Just picked up my first real bandsaw and can't wait to see it up and use it.
Nicely done, would you have a video on sharpening a bandsaw blade thanks
Duuuuude, awesome production qualtity, good moderation - superior video.
Thanks Matt your videos are always great. Wish you would make more. 👍
setting up that blackboard was really a great idea
Excellent video! Mostly a good reminder of bandsaw setup-and we all need reminders from time to time-but I wasn’t aware of the bandsaw buddy. Got to check it out! Cheers from Maryland! (I think that’s the first time I’ve ever said “cheers” to anyone!)
That has helped me alot. I need to upgrade my Bandsaw as this vid as shown me, yet again, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!! Thanks Matt...
Matt, great video for me. I have a Grizzly that looks almost identical to your Axminster! Really helped. I be watching this one again. Great links too.
Love your content. Love your personality. Totally appreciate your knowledge! Thanks so much, from America! david
I like this channel more and more. One hell of a lecture.
Just bought a band saw today so this video was a nice surprise
Great video dude, gonna use these tips to set up mine... Cheers!
brilliant demo mate.What is your advice to beginner like me for cutting hard wood what power does it required 900 w- 1 hp ect.thanks and stay safe.
I watched a video from Jonathan Katz-Moses recently on setting up a band saw. Other than your use of the Bandsaw Buddy, your techniques are pretty much the same. Now if I only had a bandsaw, then I could put this method to use. It is on my list of tools to get, but it may be a while before I get one. Thanks for the video, I'm going to save it for when I do get a bandsaw.
first time ive seen this video ,the best ive watched well done .
Nice video Matt. Learned a bit about tracking and that is always good. Love my Laguna saw with ceramic bearings.
Extremely useful and very well presented. Thanks for sharing 🌞
Learned a lot from you today, even I don’t own one yet, it is going to be on my list.
Shawn Graham over at Worth Effort recommended using a business card to set your bearings. Takes some of the TLAR out of the set up. (TLAR That Looks About Right)
There's no TLAR involved. You make certain the bearing is as close as possible to the blade without the bearing moving. Using a business card actually creates a much larger gap and you'll be more likely to have drift.
Great video - was very helpful
I just got a vintage Hitachi B600. The wheels are cast iron with a flat profile, and there is a kind of o-ring on the side where the teeth go; probably meant to protect the teeth. It's clearly designed for the blade teeth to be flush with that side of the wheel. The blade is about an inch wide.
Nice work, man! I don't even have a bandsaw and I found this whole video very interesting.
Great Presentation. Keep up the good woodwork.
This well explained video is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time and make a video about it. This will help a lot of people
Best colour sawdust I have ever seen!!
Awesome video. My machine now runs like a new one!
Good video the chalk board is great idea only area I couldn't see clearly was the set up of the thrust bearing. Other than that excellent
بسیار عالی مفید مختصر قوی کامل و جامع بود . ممنون و سپاس
Curiosity had me clicking on the link for the new model but seems to just take me to an error page!
I bought the Axminster trade at2552b back in January. Great machine. Your video suggests I can tweak it a touch more to achieve the next level so very much appreciated, thank you
Thanks Matt! Very good tutorial!
Great info, ive just this Monday taken delivery of the same machine
Excellent video. Thanks Matt.
Some great tips there fella thanks heaps for that
I have used a lot of band saws over a long period of time and I believe you’ve nailed it ! Best overall presentation I’ve seen yet. I believe you could do another video on blade selection.
The only reason that placing the gullet in the center of the tire might not work, is that manufacturers often overstate how wide of a blade can be used on a particular saw. For example, you really should not try to use a one inch blade on a 14 inch saw.
This was really well explained. And your Axminster and my Grizzly seem to be the same machine painted a different color.
I noticed the same thing
Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative video. Some great tips.
fantastic explanation - subscribed for more wood working joy !
What a brilliant video. Thank you very much.
Excellent tutorial, very helpful! Thanks A LOT! 😀👍
Great explained! Thanks for sharing!
Nice :D I have also opted for bandsaw over table saw, and over the ~2.5 years i have owned my bandsaw, my current method of setup is almost identical to this :) I was lucky to find a Snodgrass setup video pretty early on which is probably a big reason why i haven't yet bought a tablesaw :D I also got the UJK bandsaw buddy a few months ago and i agree that it is a great little tool :) Real nice to get some validation that I have gotten some things correct :)
FANTASTIC video Matt. Thank you. I’m getting a small hobby one but I learnt SO much from your post. #subscribedwiththanks x
Excellent video. Exactly how I set my machines up; although I'll admit I am aware of the Spag and Snodgrass videos. And Matt, great presentation, good video work and tidy editing too. Also please to see that you can still do woodworking and video work without your mini-me sidekick playing the role of a gooey eyed giggely Watson to your Sherlock.
If you talk to someone that uses a bandsaw for a living they will tell you the first thing you need to do to set up a bandsaw is the square the TABLE to the cut of the blade. This stops any runout or other weird stuff and makes the saw a pleasure to use. Most youtube videos fail to explain this and go into great detail on how to work with the problems caused by missing this most important step.
You´r an excellent instructor!!
"My name is Matt Estlea and I’m a Woodworker from Basingstoke, England"
A local boy! Nice video. My Axminster Craft saw arrives today. Care to come and help me set it up in Kempshott ;) J/K
Great video. Thank you!
I've heard about centring the gullet on the top wheel (from Alex Snodgrass and others), but don't understand why that should be better than centring the blade. If you know of any videos or blogs that explain the difference, please let me know. Nice comprehensive video.
th-cam.com/video/vNdrkmx6ehI/w-d-xo.html
Matt, Here Mauro from Argentina. Your work with this youtube channel is excelent. I've a cuestion about band saw. I'm restoring an old band saw and I would like to know what is the speed of cutting of the blade to size the electric motor. Thank you for every video!
Pretty good tutorial here. I have seen quite a few, and it looks like a good review of the data.
Just wanted to let people know: I got a pretty high end bandsaw for myself and it did not come with a blade.
Also, there are other ways to do the fence straightening with a piece of scrap instead.
Overall great vid.
Thanks for making this video Matt, great advice.
Thanks man, that's all i needed to start using my new bandsaw :)
Great video, looking to buy the same bandsaw.
Hey
Great video. I am a retired Carpenter (40)yrs. Retired but, still working in my shop.
Recently purchased a old FREJOTH My question is, After replacing the saw with new tires,
top adjustment screw unit, and new blade, the blade wobbles front to back. What causes this?
and how do I fix it? Thanks
Dear Matt, thank you very much for your video. Your method to set up the band saw is very clear and well explained. Further now I understand why the blade have to stay in the centre of the wheel. Just a question. How and when to check and set up the mitre slot in order to be parallel with the fence? After you check and adjust the orthogonality of the table? Thanks in advance. Luigi