Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Maintaining Your Band Saw Blades



A band saw is an important tool for a wood worker. Its versatility is well-known, making it commonplace in industries such as metalworking, lumber yards and countless industrial facilities.  Its popularity also means that your band saw is worked hard on a daily basis. 

To keep your band saw running well, proper maintenance is as vital to it as correct usage of the equipment. Cleaning and maintenance of a band saw at regular intervals is essential for production and increased lifespan. The importance of regular maintenance of your band saw cannot be overemphasized. 

An important tip to remember: never limit the band saws maintenance to one part of the machine while overlooking the rest. All parts functioning together bring it to maximum performance. If you neglect a key part, such as the blade or a belt, there can be consequences to other pieces of the machinery. Regular maintenance with band saw coolant increase the longevity of the tool, enabling it to run smoothly and produce accurate cuts.

Keep your blades in peak condition by regularly following these care tips:

  • Wear a new blade down before usage. This is a common mistake often overlooked. 
  • Lubrication is a must, especially when cutting metal. 
  • Release tension from the blade after every usage. When cutting materials, your blade heats up.  As it heats, it stretches.  As it cools, it shrinks.  This shrinking can cause tiny cracks in your blade if it is still under tension. 
  • To get the most out of your blade it is important to sharpen it periodically.  With your band saw off, gently rub a sharpening stone along both sides of the blade.

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