During these 35 minutes, I learned more about the mystery of the band saw than I have done in my entire life! You´re the King Mr Alex Snodgrass, thank you for the most professional and rewarding lesson I ever seen! :)
Thank you thewoodworkingshows for posting videos like this! It means A LOT to those of us that can not afford to go to the woodworking shows. THANK YOU!!!!
Yes this is a great video! I have read nearly everything written about bandsaw adjusting and drift in things like fine woodworking and other woodworking magazines for the past 30 years! and yet this is the first time I have ever seen the saw adjusted quite like this! especially the adjustment so that the gullets of blade are a riding on the crown of the wheel!!! I have tried this with my two bandsaws and it worked fantastic!!! no more "drift" I was able to cut thin strips!!! I still cannot believe I have never heard this trick until now!!! thanks for helping millions of people like me!
This video was the best explained band saw video in the world. Anyone who owns a bandsaw and has any questions about band saw blade and guide set up needs to learn from him. I have a cheap Ryobi 9 inch band saw (peice of crap)and a bit different BUT after watching this video. That hunk of crap is finally cutting straight. For what I use it for it now works for me.
This video is literally gold. Alex, you are a godsend. Thank you for this public service, and thank you Carter Tools for making quality parts and providing this information.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, well, that video says everything that anyone could possibly want to know about band-saws.Alex is quite amazing, what a teacher!
This was fantastic. I have learned so much in half an hour. I went straight into my work shop and spent 1 hour tuning. Im only a newbie to woodworking and now have a bandsaw set up like a pro. Well chuffed. Thanks so much.
I am in the process of buying a Band Saw. I have never used one and was told to watch his videos first. Am I ever glad I did. So much information and so well presented. I second the comment made by Fredrik below...."During these 35 minutes, I learned more about the mystery of the band saw that I have done in my entire life." Thank you Alex for getting me started.
This is THE best video on setting up a bandsaw. I followed the advice and I suddenly discovered the joy of freehand scrolling cuts. My blade no longer wanders and the whole experience is productive. I'm not sure which bit has made the change, whether it's the running of the blade further back on the wheel, the alignment of the rollers, the tensioning or what. Many thanks for this video!
I don't even have a band saw nor plan at age 64 to be buying one, but love learning handy stuff anyway. This was one of the best explanations of ANYTHING that I've ever seen in my life and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you Alex. I picked up a used saw about 2 years ago. Never could get the blade to stay on. After installing the correct size blade and a careful setup as you describe. My $50.00 band saw is a working machine again!
ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEE!!!! AMAZING!! I've been wrestling with my bandsaw for 20 years.. Watched your video and went out, followed your set up instructions and knocked out an AMSZINGLY straight freehand 18' cut.... The blade didn't wander at all..... I'm Flabbergasted!!THANK YOU!!!
Best bandsaw video I have seen. I Was resawing white oak the other day and no matter what I tried I could not get a constant thickness thru out the cut. Thanks to you I know what I need to do to accomplish this.
Alex!! Your video is the answer to all the problems that I have with this old band saw that I purchased. That old band saw is kicking my butt, till this wonderful video that you posted and let me tell you that band saw will fears me now. Hahaha. Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge.
Alex: Love the video. Like most woodworkers, my band saw (Powermatic 15") is one of my favorite tools in my arsenal. But honestly, I have heard so many different theories about set up that it becomes confusing. I'm guessing that every single book I have read or tutorial I have watched has told me to run the saw blade on the center of the tire. I discovered, accidentally by the way, that running the blade where the deepest part of the gullet was running on the center of the tire, dramatically improved this already wonderful saw's operation. Now I know why. Thanks for the great video.
This video basically made my bandsaw do what it's supposed to do. Thank you so much - we need more teachers like this! To the point, light hearted and lots of good tips. Awesome!
After tons of searches for info on Bandsaw set up, Alex you taught me more in this video than any other! The small tidbits of wisdom strategy and theory from top to bottom with the blend of experience that wraps the whole thing in a package that I was able to take right to my band saw and fall in love with it for the first time! Because for the life of me I was jacking that poor thing up with what I "thought" was the correct way to set it up. Side note... I was able to use this in the machine shop and teach our saw guy what you showed me. His exact words were "Good luck! me and the lead Machinist spent 3 hours trying to fix it. That thing is a POS! Needless to say he was sawing repeatedly over 40 Delrin parts within .005 parallelism. We were able to get rid of a manual squaring operation and went strait to the CNC mill. Saving us 10hrs on that job. (Thank you!)
This might be why I cut everything on the saw I used out of square 99% of the time when I worked in the machine shop and ran a new rather large machine. And I seriously thought I knew what I was doing. I wasn't taught the right way to adjust the guides. However one point he showed could be argued thats folding up a blade even with a 23' blade I could do it by hand and not use the floor. But I will say the blade dealer showed me to toss the blade on the floor to open it. But you don't have to.
Sitting here with a big grin on my face in sheer astonishment and admiration of true genius! You, SIR, are a bandsaw magician!! I did not think I would watch the whole video and then I didn't want it to end. I have never used a bandsaw and just bought a basic one and I am so glad that I found your seminar. Bravo 😊👍👏👏
Bandsaw safety : My father grew up in Elkins, WV. from 1904 to 1926. At one time, in my youth, he told me about a man being accidently cut in two by a bandsaw. At the tim e, I had never seen a bandsaw any bigger than those in a high school woodshop and couldn't imagine such a severe accident. later in life, I was in Cass, WV. and saw a large bandsaw, capable of 200.000 board feet per day. The blade is 65 feet long and 19 inches wide. The carriages feed the log into the saw at extremely high speed (90 MPH?). A careless worker might fall in the way of the carriage and be carried into the blade! What a horrible way to go!
Hi Alex I would not call myself a woodworker, but I enjoy “having a go”. As a young man I worked at the local saw mill and our band saws had 8 foot diameter wheels upon which ran 6 inch wide bands with welded on teeth. These were always set to run on the edge of the wheel. In my home shop I bought a small band saw and of course from my experience set it up like the larger ones I had use. Was never satisfied with its performance! Must thank you for an excellent tutorial on small machines, I can now get effortless straight cuts. Snodgrass is a very English Name Cheers Joe Bell UK
Dear Alex,I am just sorry that I have not come across this presentation until now. I am in the UK and have a band saw but only 14" that has never cut straight line since new. I had it now for nearly two years and all the time the company responses are that band saws must have drift and only table saws are for cutting straight lines.I have just followed your setup instruction and despite not having the very good guides that you show in this video I have just done my 1st straight line cut in 24" long hard Maple. This is in addition to cutting my 1st 3mm veneer sheet in 10" tall by 12" long Walnut. All I can say is thank you very much and will be looking for these guides when I am in the USA in the Summer.
Thank you so much! I just did all as you explained and instantly i tried and resawed 15cm wide board. And cut was perfect. You are the man! I wish i can hug you now! Again, thank you man!!!
When I first saw this video in the list I looked at the length and almost didn’t watch it. I’m glad I did. Nice job explaining and I learned several things I did not know. Thank you!
Just got a bandsaw and reading through the handbook I decided to check You tube.. I can only echo previous comment. Not only was the instructions to set up expertly given but it was also one of the nicest, fun videos I have seen, An enjoyment to watch. Only downside is Alex was in USA, Im in the UK.....would have loved to be there in person but hey, the video was perfect. Thank you.
I am new to using the bandsaw. I followed his setup and it really works well. I also purchased the blade stabilizer and made my first true bandsaw box. It works just as Alex demonstrated with the drawer section falling out as I lifted the body off the table. Love this machine.
Wow. This was WAY more educational than I expected it to be! I appreciate your PERSONAL experience. I'm a seasoned machinist but a fairly new to the band saw. I learned a lot. Thank you.
Thanks for this video. My dad gave me his old bandsaw telling me that the guide bearings were worn out. Since i know nothing about bandsaws, this gives me a bit of confidence about where to start...removing the table. Lol. I now have hope that i can progress through your advice and actually get to use it.
I adjusted my bandsaw as described in this video when replacing my blade. The results were fantastic! I'm following this man's bandsaw advice from now on.
I have to agree with doughuntart's comment! Thanks for this video. Truly amazing! I've been trying to correct for blade drift. By watching your video, I replaced my blade with a new one and set up according to your video instructions. Made sure that the blade was centre on the top tire, set the guides. I have to say that I did question the fence placement.... After all was setup, made several leaf cuts with ease. Wow is all I can say! Thanks
If you haven't seen Alex in person at a show, you should. He is one of the nicest people that you could hope to meet :) Excellent video and tips, Alex ! Keep up the good work : )
Watched this video a ton of times once I ordered my bandsaw. Used his method to tune my bandsaw with the original (ceramic) guides, and got really good results with a little practice. Because of those results, I decided to take plunge and get the Carter guides and stabilizer for my saw (Laguna 14BX), and wow! I am a believer! Going to try out their saw blades next.
I bought my BANDSAW IN 1994 ("14") and was told that it was good to go except to put the blade on and put it in the centre of the wheel. If I had put a mark on the walls of my garage every times in 21 years I have tried to cut or re-saw and cursed it I I would not have to paint my garage. After watching your video and setting the saw up as you describe I was able to re-saw a 24" piece of 2x4 on a line I had square and the sawblade never varied 0.002"(measured) THANK YOU ALEX.
GOD BLESS YOU MAN.... I can't thank you enough. I had literally just stopped using my bandsaw for like a year or 3 because I just thought I didn't have the right skill to to cut wood straight. it always cut to the left and I don't have any woodworking friends to ask.
nm I tried all of this and it still cuts to the left. I know WEN isn't a great brand but there is no reason to pay for a more expensive one that I can't figure out how to make it work right
Cheers Alex, was struggling as a new role as a school technician in a UK secondary school to set a band saw blade to cut straight, until i watched your video, all good now. thanks for the great video
Brilliant tips. Setting up your bandsaw this way actually will make up for the lack of tight tolerances common in cheaper bandsaws. On the nicer saws, it just makes them that much more consistent, especially when changing out blades; there are common reference points regardless of blade type.
Sir first of all thank You for your video! :)) I have a WEN 10” 3.5 amp bandsaw. Cheap saw for around the house. I have had it close to 2 years but it has been used very little. However, I went into the shop the other afternoon and tried cutting a piece of wood. The saw would not cut straight at all. It wasn’t just blade drift. If I forced it to cut 2 inches it would break the blade. Thats how sideways it has gotten. The specs of the blade are 72” length, 3/8” thickness and 6 teeth per inch. I would say 50% aggressive. They said it was the best wood cutting blade for all around, any type wood. I watched videos like yours and this is what I have done. I tried adjusting the top wheel but it changed nothing. I then cleaned the blade which was gummed up pretty bad but no change. I want to sharpen it but this is my problem. All of the teeth are slanted to the same side. And thats the way the blade tries to go. Also in seems as though the teeth have different slants. Like one is more aggressive than the other. It almost looks like the 1st tooth is slanted a good bit and the other 2 are straight. But I rub my finger down that side of the blade and I can feel resistance on every tooth. But it does seem like every 3rd tooth is more resistant than the other 2. I thought every tooth pointed the other direction and if they did I would know exactly how to sharpen kit. But if that is true with my blade then I am blind and can’t feel either. Any information that you or anyone who might read this could give me or in some way enlighten me, I would be very grateful!! I’m gonna finish watching your video Sir. Thank You and anyone else SO MUCH and GOD bless……
I have watched this video over and over and it's the best one i have viewed. I was having trouble with the blade staying on and i see why the tires aren't glued down. Thank you very much
@@rodsheridan7048 may depend on the age of the tire, if it is rubber. Rubber breaks down and stretches over time and will as Alex said, pinch and throw the band blade off the roller. Once this happens, it is time to replace the tires, may as well upgrade. Why glue it down? If it is softened enough to pinch, it is worn out.
Ladies and gents; the Yoda of the bandsaw world. That reindeer was one of the maddest things I've ever seen. Like others have said, a lot of this is contrary to what I've read/heard elsewhere, so I am very keen to get home and try this out as I'm having these issues. Amazing.
you are right about the no drift. however you did not tell anyone on how to adjust the band saw so it will not have drift. First, must make sure your top and bottom guides are in perfect plumbing and I am talking about the trust bearings also.. Second. must tight the bearings or sliders until they touch the band saw without deflecting it. (let it touch, nothing is going to happen) Third. Tight your blade a bit more than manufacturer spec. Now, try with scrap wood. If ok go ahead if not note the direction of the drift and adjust with the guides to the opposite side of the drift. do that until it is perfect. Mine band saws do not drift at all. Thank you.
Alex, thank you for your very straight forward approach to setting up the bandsaw. I am very new at this, and even though I followed the manual, I found the blade kept jumping off (scared the you know what out of me). Found this video, followed your instructions, and it now works perfectly.
Whatever. He has to earn a living, but telling us things that will actually save YEARS of disappointment and wasted money/time is the name of the game here. l'm a luthier who never learned a thing at my Father's knee. All the other videos I watched taught me very little. I have a Craftsman 14" from 20 years ago. It came with Carter blocks, but unfortunately I didn't know what to do with them--not really, until now. I had given up on that "hobby" saw, feeling that anything it had to offer was 1) not professional, (2) worn out or ruined from me trying to resaw very tall (8"), very hard (rosewood, ebony, etc.) wood into 1/4" to 1/8" pieces with an inadequate saw, 3) just not tuning my saw right but no videos helped. This has changed everything I thought I knew about my bandsaw. Maybe it's not such a bad machine. Need to try all this, but, finally, I have hope. Thank you Alex. Hope is a terrific gift!
Wow amazing stuff. I learned of this through the Lumberjocks web site. i posted a question about band saw and one of the many responders suggested to watch this. If it wasn't so late, I'd head out to the work shop and get started tuning it up.
Glad to hear the 9" Ryobi will cut straight. I'm struggling with mine & it's still not right. I'll watch this video again...and try some more. It's good to know that it is a capable machine.
@@glennr9913 I do have to warn you to use good blades, the Bosch that Home Depot sells are decent, but I buy my blades online from pro bandsaw blades. They are a little thicker, but man they cut even better than the bosch. Remember you cannot cut steel with this saw, it's too fast and not enough power, but I do cut brass and aluminum. 10 tpi blades use oil on the part and never use oil on the blade. www.probandsawworks.com/index.php/
Thanks for the advice on re-sawing as many others commented i went straight to my shop ran through your setup and cut perfect thin sheets of hard maple.
OMG! That reindeer is incredible!! Zip...zap...DONE! I very much enjoyed your seminar! I would LOVE to be in the front row of your live demo!! I am in Southeast Michigan.
During these 35 minutes, I learned more about the mystery of the band saw than I have done in my entire life! You´re the King Mr Alex Snodgrass, thank you for the most professional and rewarding lesson I ever seen! :)
Thank you thewoodworkingshows for posting videos like this! It means A LOT to those of us that can not afford to go to the woodworking shows. THANK YOU!!!!
Hands down the best bandsaw video I've ever watched!
Is eye protection not required for him? Was eye protection banned at the time?
As a guy just about to purchase my first band saw, this is fantastic. Thank you so much. 12 years after the original post, this is still giving value.
Video is 35 minutes? Seemed like 5. Best bandsaw setup video on RUclips. Amazing speaker! 10/10
Yes this is a great video! I have read nearly everything written about bandsaw adjusting and drift in things like fine woodworking and other woodworking magazines for the past 30 years! and yet this is the first time I have ever seen the saw adjusted quite like this! especially the adjustment so that the gullets of blade are a riding on the crown of the wheel!!! I have tried this with my two bandsaws and it worked fantastic!!! no more "drift" I was able to cut thin strips!!!
I still cannot believe I have never heard this trick until now!!! thanks for helping millions of people like me!
Wow... Just wow! Thank you. This is the most informative video I have come across. Now to my band saw...👍👍
This video was the best explained band saw video in the world. Anyone who owns a bandsaw and has any questions about band saw blade and guide set up needs to learn from him. I have a cheap Ryobi 9 inch band saw (peice of crap)and a bit different BUT after watching this video. That hunk of crap is finally cutting straight. For what I use it for it now works for me.
Hello mr Snodgrass. I just wanted to say I can't thank you enough for this truly lesson, very generous and inspiring. My respect 🙏🏻
I could sit and watch Alex Snodgrass videos all day. Thank you sir
This video is literally gold. Alex, you are a godsend. Thank you for this public service, and thank you Carter Tools for making quality parts and providing this information.
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, well, that video says everything that anyone could possibly want to know about band-saws.Alex is quite amazing, what a teacher!
I've been telling my customers about this video since I first saw it, the staff I work with tell their customers. It's gold
This was fantastic. I have learned so much in half an hour. I went straight into my work shop and spent 1 hour tuning. Im only a newbie to woodworking and now have a bandsaw set up like a pro. Well chuffed. Thanks so much.
Twenty-plus years using a bandsaw, as fast as Alex is, and he still has all of his fingers! Very informative video and a likely sale as a result.
I am in the process of buying a Band Saw. I have never used one and was told to watch his videos first. Am I ever glad I did. So much information and so well presented. I second the comment made by Fredrik below...."During these 35 minutes, I learned more about the mystery of the band saw that I have done in my entire life." Thank you Alex for getting me started.
This is THE best video on setting up a bandsaw. I followed the advice and I suddenly discovered the joy of freehand scrolling cuts. My blade no longer wanders and the whole experience is productive. I'm not sure which bit has made the change, whether it's the running of the blade further back on the wheel, the alignment of the rollers, the tensioning or what. Many thanks for this video!
I don't even have a band saw nor plan at age 64 to be buying one, but love learning handy stuff anyway. This was one of the best explanations of ANYTHING that I've ever seen in my life and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I would suggest putting a Sharpie black dot on the thrust bearing so it's easy to see that it's turning. Just saying.
I would suggest starting off with eye protection.
Thank you Alex.
I picked up a used saw about 2 years ago. Never could get the blade to stay on.
After installing the correct size blade and a careful setup as you describe.
My $50.00 band saw is a working machine again!
ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEE!!!! AMAZING!! I've been wrestling with my bandsaw for 20 years.. Watched your video and went out, followed your set up instructions and knocked out an AMSZINGLY straight freehand 18' cut.... The blade didn't wander at all..... I'm Flabbergasted!!THANK YOU!!!
Same thing here. I thought the saw was junk, but after a ten minute adjustment following these instructions it works perfectly.
Yeah, I'll have to test this set up process out on my old three wheel Craftsman, once I find it in the attic, that is.
I'm going out tomorrow to try this on my nemesis...
Same here !!!
Yeppers going to give mine a try tonight.
I've never seen anyone give such clean, clear and explicit understanding of a band saw. Thanks Alex.
This video should be included with every bandsaw purchase!
Best bandsaw video I have seen. I Was resawing white oak the other day and no matter what I tried I could not get a constant thickness thru out the cut. Thanks to you I know what I need to do to accomplish this.
Alex!! Your video is the answer to all the problems that I have with this old band saw that I purchased.
That old band saw is kicking my butt, till this wonderful video that you posted and let me tell you that band saw will fears me now. Hahaha.
Thanks a million for sharing your knowledge.
Alex,
You are a scholar and a gentleman.... I have never seen such a brilliant tutorial on a Band Saw before.
thank you so much.....
Alex:
Love the video. Like most woodworkers, my band saw (Powermatic 15") is one of my favorite tools in my arsenal. But honestly, I have heard so many different theories about set up that it becomes confusing. I'm guessing that every single book I have read or tutorial I have watched has told me to run the saw blade on the center of the tire. I discovered, accidentally by the way, that running the blade where the deepest part of the gullet was running on the center of the tire, dramatically improved this already wonderful saw's operation. Now I know why.
Thanks for the great video.
After watching this video I went to my shop and tuned my saw. It now works the best it ever has..... great video.
Now there's a man who's done a fair bit of practicing. Very informative talk.
-jcr
Concise, packed with information, no fluff, learned a ton. Must watch.
This guy is a brilliant teacher and technician. I learned so much, and I have been working with wood for more than 50 years.
This video basically made my bandsaw do what it's supposed to do. Thank you so much - we need more teachers like this! To the point, light hearted and lots of good tips. Awesome!
After tons of searches for info on Bandsaw set up, Alex you taught me more in this video than any other! The small tidbits of wisdom strategy and theory from top to bottom with the blend of experience that wraps the whole thing in a package that I was able to take right to my band saw and fall in love with it for the first time! Because for the life of me I was jacking that poor thing up with what I "thought" was the correct way to set it up. Side note... I was able to use this in the machine shop and teach our saw guy what you showed me. His exact words were "Good luck! me and the lead Machinist spent 3 hours trying to fix it. That thing is a POS! Needless to say he was sawing repeatedly over 40 Delrin parts within .005 parallelism. We were able to get rid of a manual squaring operation and went strait to the CNC mill. Saving us 10hrs on that job. (Thank you!)
This might be why I cut everything on the saw I used out of square 99% of the time when I worked in the machine shop and ran a new rather large machine.
And I seriously thought I knew what I was doing. I wasn't taught the right way to adjust the guides. However one point he showed could be argued thats folding up a blade even with a 23' blade I could do it by hand and not use the floor.
But I will say the blade dealer showed me to toss the blade on the floor to open it. But you don't have to.
bobbg The blade dealer sells blades if you damage the blade by tossing it to floor and knock a tooth off he wins.
This is pretty much a RUclips and woodworking classic.
Sitting here with a big grin on my face in sheer astonishment and admiration of true genius! You, SIR, are a bandsaw magician!! I did not think I would watch the whole video and then I didn't want it to end. I have never used a bandsaw and just bought a basic one and I am so glad that I found your seminar. Bravo 😊👍👏👏
Check your local Woodcraft store. He’s doing classes all over the US in 2024
@@goawayimbaitin1278 Thanks for letting me know, but unfortunately for me I live in the UK 😞
Bandsaw safety : My father grew up in Elkins, WV. from 1904 to 1926. At one time, in my youth, he told me about a man being accidently cut in two by a bandsaw. At the tim e, I had never seen a bandsaw any bigger than those in a high school woodshop and couldn't imagine such a severe accident. later in life, I was in Cass, WV. and saw a large bandsaw, capable of 200.000 board feet per day. The blade is 65 feet long and 19 inches wide. The carriages feed the log into the saw at extremely high speed (90 MPH?). A careless worker might fall in the way of the carriage and be carried into the blade! What a horrible way to go!
Holy granola! My very old "Made in Taiwan" 14" saw is now working like a champ! Thanks for this excellent session.
My friend just acquired a bandsaw. I sent him this video. It should be in every box sold by every bandsaw manufacturer.
Hi Alex
I would not call myself a woodworker, but I enjoy “having a go”. As a young man I worked at the local saw mill and our band saws had 8 foot diameter wheels upon which ran 6 inch wide bands with welded on teeth. These were always set to run on the edge of the wheel.
In my home shop I bought a small band saw and of course from my experience set it up like the larger ones I had use. Was never satisfied with its performance! Must thank you for an excellent tutorial on small machines, I can now get effortless straight cuts.
Snodgrass is a very English Name
Cheers Joe Bell UK
Im from Australia and its the best and most informative bandsaw video i've ever seen.. great stuff.
Dear Alex,I am just sorry that I have not come across this presentation until now. I am in the UK and have a band saw but only 14" that has never cut straight line since new. I had it now for nearly two years and all the time the company responses are that band saws must have drift and only table saws are for cutting straight lines.I have just followed your setup instruction and despite not having the very good guides that you show in this video I have just done my 1st straight line cut in 24" long hard Maple. This is in addition to cutting my 1st 3mm veneer sheet in 10" tall by 12" long Walnut. All I can say is thank you very much and will be looking for these guides when I am in the USA in the Summer.
Thank you so much! I just did all as you explained and instantly i tried and resawed 15cm wide board. And cut was perfect. You are the man! I wish i can hug you now! Again, thank you man!!!
When I first saw this video in the list I looked at the length and almost didn’t watch it. I’m glad I did. Nice job explaining and I learned several things I did not know. Thank you!
Most important half hour of my day. Thank you for the post.
Holy crap. This video literally just changed my LIFE! I can't WAIT to try these techniques!!!
Just got a bandsaw and reading through the handbook I decided to check You tube.. I can only echo previous comment. Not only was the instructions to set up expertly given but it was also one of the nicest, fun videos I have seen, An enjoyment to watch. Only downside is Alex was in USA, Im in the UK.....would have loved to be there in person but hey, the video was perfect. Thank you.
Brilliant video I have had my bandsaw set up wrong for years , now its sorted ☺
I am new to using the bandsaw. I followed his setup and it really works well. I also purchased the blade stabilizer and made my first true bandsaw box. It works just as Alex demonstrated with the drawer section falling out as I lifted the body off the table. Love this machine.
Wow. This was WAY more educational than I expected it to be! I appreciate your PERSONAL experience. I'm a seasoned machinist but a fairly new to the band saw. I learned a lot. Thank you.
Thankyou Alex, I am new to bandsaws and your video is the first I have seen that explains where the bandsaw blade should lay on the top wheel.
Alex, this is one of the best video seminars I have ever seen! Thank you very much!
Thanks for this video. My dad gave me his old bandsaw telling me that the guide bearings were worn out. Since i know nothing about bandsaws, this gives me a bit of confidence about where to start...removing the table. Lol. I now have hope that i can progress through your advice and actually get to use it.
I adjusted my bandsaw as described in this video when replacing my blade. The results were fantastic! I'm following this man's bandsaw advice from now on.
I have to agree with doughuntart's comment! Thanks for this video. Truly amazing! I've been trying to correct for blade drift. By watching your video, I replaced my blade with a new one and set up according to your video instructions. Made sure that the blade was centre on the top tire, set the guides. I have to say that I did question the fence placement.... After all was setup, made several leaf cuts with ease. Wow is all I can say! Thanks
If you haven't seen Alex in person at a show, you should. He is one of the nicest people that you could hope to meet :) Excellent video and tips, Alex ! Keep up the good work : )
I might have a slight disadvantage to seeing Alex in person...I live down under...lol
I heard that an Australian kiss is like a French kiss, but down under as well : )
ROFLMAO
@@bushmaster2936 gross
@@corncobjohnsonreal ...if it's gross, you should have her wash it at least twice a day for starters !!
Perfect tutorial, this guy really know what he is talking about. Thx.
I love a fast-paced presentation. This was awesome!
Watched this video a ton of times once I ordered my bandsaw. Used his method to tune my bandsaw with the original (ceramic) guides, and got really good results with a little practice. Because of those results, I decided to take plunge and get the Carter guides and stabilizer for my saw (Laguna 14BX), and wow! I am a believer! Going to try out their saw blades next.
I bought my BANDSAW IN 1994 ("14") and was told that it was good to go except to put the blade on and put it in the centre of the wheel. If I had put a mark on the walls of my garage every times in 21 years I have tried to cut or re-saw and cursed it I I would not have to paint my garage. After watching your video and setting the saw up as you describe I was able to re-saw a 24" piece of 2x4 on a line I had square and the sawblade never varied 0.002"(measured) THANK YOU ALEX.
GOD BLESS YOU MAN.... I can't thank you enough. I had literally just stopped using my bandsaw for like a year or 3 because I just thought I didn't have the right skill to to cut wood straight. it always cut to the left and I don't have any woodworking friends to ask.
nm I tried all of this and it still cuts to the left. I know WEN isn't a great brand but there is no reason to pay for a more expensive one that I can't figure out how to make it work right
wish i saw this video a long time ago, very informative. Thanks
Cheers Alex, was struggling as a new role as a school technician in a UK secondary school to set a band saw blade to cut straight, until i watched your video, all good now. thanks for the great video
He is the Neil DeGrasse Tyson of bandsaws... ;)
Mike Barton why would you insult Alex like that?
NDT is a hack!
He's the James Deen of bandsaws
Neil deGrasse Tyson is the he of black people
thank you. used your lesson, and now my saw cuts like new. cuts straight. happy, happy, happy.
Brilliant tips. Setting up your bandsaw this way actually will make up for the lack of tight tolerances common in cheaper bandsaws. On the nicer saws, it just makes them that much more consistent, especially when changing out blades; there are common reference points regardless of blade type.
I learned so much from your video. Unbelievable how fast you manipulate the wood curves.
Your knowledge and passion for teaching are incredible. I got such a lot out of this. Thanks.
Sir first of all thank You for your video! :)) I have a WEN 10” 3.5 amp bandsaw. Cheap saw for around the house. I have had it close to 2 years but it has been used very little. However, I went into the shop the other afternoon and tried cutting a piece of wood. The saw would not cut straight at all. It wasn’t just blade drift. If I forced it to cut 2 inches it would break the blade. Thats how sideways it has gotten. The specs of the blade are 72” length, 3/8” thickness and 6 teeth per inch. I would say 50% aggressive. They said it was the best wood cutting blade for all around, any type wood. I watched videos like yours and this is what I have done. I tried adjusting the top wheel but it changed nothing. I then cleaned the blade which was gummed up pretty bad but no change. I want to sharpen it but this is my problem. All of the teeth are slanted to the same side. And thats the way the blade tries to go. Also in seems as though the teeth have different slants. Like one is more aggressive than the other. It almost looks like the 1st tooth is slanted a good bit and the other 2 are straight. But I rub my finger down that side of the blade and I can feel resistance on every tooth. But it does seem like every 3rd tooth is more resistant than the other 2. I thought every tooth pointed the other direction and if they did I would know exactly how to sharpen kit. But if that is true with my blade then I am blind and can’t feel either. Any information that you or anyone who might read this could give me or in some way enlighten me, I would be very grateful!! I’m gonna finish watching your video Sir. Thank You and anyone else SO MUCH and GOD bless……
I have watched this video over and over and it's the best one i have viewed. I was having trouble with the blade staying on and i see why the tires aren't glued down. Thank you very much
Many Bandsaws don't have glued on tires, they work just fine.
@@rodsheridan7048 may depend on the age of the tire, if it is rubber. Rubber breaks down and stretches over time and will as Alex said, pinch and throw the band blade off the roller. Once this happens, it is time to replace the tires, may as well upgrade. Why glue it down? If it is softened enough to pinch, it is worn out.
Thank you, fantastic demonstration, with so many useful tips in just 35 minutes!
Used your tips today on my Delta 14"...it has never run so well. Thank you Sir.
Ladies and gents; the Yoda of the bandsaw world. That reindeer was one of the maddest things I've ever seen.
Like others have said, a lot of this is contrary to what I've read/heard elsewhere, so I am very keen to get home and try this out as I'm having these issues. Amazing.
you are right about the no drift. however you did not tell anyone on how to adjust the band saw so it will not have drift.
First, must make sure your top and bottom guides are in perfect plumbing and I am talking about the trust bearings also..
Second. must tight the bearings or sliders until they touch the band saw without deflecting it. (let it touch, nothing is going to happen)
Third. Tight your blade a bit more than manufacturer spec.
Now, try with scrap wood. If ok go ahead if not note the direction of the drift and adjust with the guides to the opposite side of the drift. do that until it is perfect.
Mine band saws do not drift at all. Thank you.
mtabernig Thanks that sounds good and it working.
I was very impressed. He spoke very well and made it so easy to understand.
Thank you very much! At last I found in internet someone that really knows what he is talking about!
thanks so much for advices! spent an hour mainly because of the table, but my bandsaw finally saws without drifting!
Much appreciate, very well done, excellent education material, this is very useful and I wish I knew it all at the time when we bough our band-saw.
Alex, thank you for your very straight forward approach to setting up the bandsaw. I am very new at this, and even though I followed the manual, I found the blade kept jumping off (scared the you know what out of me). Found this video, followed your instructions, and it now works perfectly.
Thank You! After following your instructions, my bandsaw will cut a straight line!
Respectfully, G Lynn
Awesome video tutorial, and sir you certainly have a knack for keeping people’s attention. Cheers and thank you
You did a great job demystifying all of the parts and pieces that were confusing me at the woodworkers store this weekend! Well done!
Just got a very nice Porter Bandsaw for Father's Day. I appreciate this instructional video.
This is a Pro...
He's a salesman....
Whatever. He has to earn a living, but telling us things that will actually save YEARS of disappointment and wasted money/time is the name of the game here. l'm a luthier who never learned a thing at my Father's knee. All the other videos I watched taught me very little. I have a Craftsman 14" from 20 years ago. It came with Carter blocks, but unfortunately I didn't know what to do with them--not really, until now. I had given up on that "hobby" saw, feeling that anything it had to offer was 1) not professional, (2) worn out or ruined from me trying to resaw very tall (8"), very hard (rosewood, ebony, etc.) wood into 1/4" to 1/8" pieces with an inadequate saw, 3) just not tuning my saw right but no videos helped. This has changed everything I thought I knew about my bandsaw. Maybe it's not such a bad machine. Need to try all this, but, finally, I have hope.
Thank you Alex. Hope is a terrific gift!
Thank you very much.i applied your method to me band saw and it has transformed its performance,thank you again.
Yes, a brilliant lesson.
I watch this every year or so to remind me how to look after mine
Awesome video. I learned so much by watching and listening to it. Now I want a Carter bandsaw.
That is a MUST WATCH seminar for new and old bandsaw users alike!
Wow amazing stuff. I learned of this through the Lumberjocks web site. i posted a question about band saw and one of the many responders suggested to watch this. If it wasn't so late, I'd head out to the work shop and get started tuning it up.
Don't have a bandsaw, however, this was a really great guide for future when I buy one
BEST VIDEO I HAVE EVER SAW ON BAND SAWS. THANK YOU
I used these guidelines and my table top 9" Ryobi cuts straight as an arrow with no drift.
Glad to hear the 9" Ryobi will cut straight. I'm struggling with mine & it's still not right. I'll watch this video again...and try some more. It's good to know that it is a capable machine.
@@glennr9913 I do have to warn you to use good blades, the Bosch that Home Depot sells are decent, but I buy my blades online from pro bandsaw blades. They are a little thicker, but man they cut even better than the bosch.
Remember you cannot cut steel with this saw, it's too fast and not enough power, but I do cut brass and aluminum. 10 tpi blades use oil on the part and never use oil on the blade. www.probandsawworks.com/index.php/
Outstanding video. Can’t wait to reset everything on my saw. Thank you!
Amazing information. I'm going to go try this out right now.
He makes everything look so easy, fantastic.
wish i saw this video a long time ago
pun intended
Thanks for the advice on re-sawing as many others commented i went straight to my shop ran through your setup and cut perfect thin sheets of hard maple.
Seriously thank you, literally answered so many questions I been trying to figure out for years.
OMG! That reindeer is incredible!! Zip...zap...DONE! I very much enjoyed your seminar! I would LOVE to be in the front row of your live demo!! I am in Southeast Michigan.
This is the kind of guy the world needs. Someone who learned from experience and learned better than the manuals can show you. Excellent video.
Man he's very very good I could watch this over and over he had so much good advice on bandsaw's and cool tricks of the trade 10 thumbs up😀