Subject: Delta bandsaw blade positioning

From: [email-masked] (Cavalier)
Date: 13 Feb 1997 21:52:14 GMT

I recently picked up the 8" Delta benchtop bandsaw, and have only one problem 
with it: the blade runs right on the forward edge of the wheels, so when 
backing out of a cut I often drag the blade forward just enough to pull it off 
the wheels. 

I've tried guiding the blade to run more in the middle of the wheels, but it 
immediately drifts back to the edge.  I've also tried rounding off the back of 
the blade to reduce the resistance against the stock, but that did little if 
any good.

Seems like awhile back I had heard about shimming the wheels to bring them 
forward, but couldn't find anything in the search engine.  Is this feasible, or 
would that only serve to bring the blade forward with the wheels, effectively 
changing nothing?

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From: "John Hofstad-Parkhill" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1997 23:50:10 -0600

The problem more likely is in the alignment of the wheels, moving them out
further will not alleviate the problem. I'm not sure about your model, I
have the Jet 14", so things could be quite different. However there is
sometimes a tilting adjustment on the top (idler) wheel that helps set
tracking. Also, while I don't have an exact answer to tensioning, some
adjustment there might help.

Traditionally, both wheels should be "co-planer" i.e. be parallel.

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From: [email-masked] (Jim Manhart)
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 08:40:35 -0600

> backing out of a cut I often drag the blade forward just enough to pull
it off 
SNIP

There is a tilting adjustment on this saw that controls the position of
the blade on the wheels.  Unplug the saw and turn the wheels by hand while
slowly changing the adjustment.  Once it appears to be in the proper
position, give it several more turns to make sure that it is going to stay
in the middle of the wheel.  

Good luck,

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From: [email-masked] (pwcnva2)
Date: 14 Feb 1997 20:02:02 GMT

>in the middle of the wheel.  

I have just purchased the 8" bandsaw, and am having the same problem.  I have 
not been able to get the wheels to align properly using the set screw, either, 
 and my blade also runs toward the front of the top wheel, though I have had 
no problems with it falling off.  I, too, would be interested in hearing 
someone who had solved the problem.  As far as I can tell, the adjustment 
screw alone will not do it.

Brad W.

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From: [email-masked] (Cavalier)
Date: 14 Feb 1997 21:24:57 GMT

I'll check the top wheel's alignment; thanks for the info!

In article <01bc1a3b.3f1896e0$cb9e09ce@horizons>, [email-masked] says...

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From: Bill Pounds <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 21:29:54 -0800

> screw alone will not do it.

Remember that when you adjust the setscrew to tilt the wheel, you are
also increasing the tension of the blade, and if the tension is high
already you may not see much alignment change. Try loosening the tension
ever so slightly as you tilt the wheel and see if it doesn't move back.
One other thing, while doing this tilt and tension adjustment the guide
blocks and rollers should be backed out and not touching the blade at
all. After the blade is tracking like you want, then adjust the guide
blocks.

-- 
Bill Pounds
[email-masked]

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