Band saw question

[OCtoolguy]

I've got a Chinese made Delta 28-206 band saw. Not a bad saw considering where it was made. My question is, have any of you folks upgraded your band saws to the Carter blade guides and if so, what is your overall impression? Are they truly worth the money? I didn't pay too much more for the saw than what those guides cost. My saw seems to track pretty well now but I want to do some resawing and was wondering just how much better they would make my saw. Also, I was looking at the Carter blade stabilizer for the smaller blades so do more of the scrolling type of cuts. Just pondering here but would really like the feedback from those of you who made the investment.

[Scrappile]

I have not upgraded anything on my band saw,,,, except to put a riser block in it so I could resaw more....which I have not done.... I really do not like band saws... I do not like changing blades.. fact my beautiful Grizzly sits most the time..collecting dust...  I have looked at the Carter upgrades... but not worth it for not more than I use the saw...

[Dan]

I don't have the guides but bought the stabilizers a few years ago to do bandsaw boxes. Well, the stabilizers are still in the box. I'll have to get them out and give them a try. I saw a demo once and the stabilizers seem to work well. I guess it's time to give them a try. Sorry not much help. 

[Dan]

11 minutes ago, Scrappile said:

I have not upgraded anything on my band saw,,,, except to put a riser block in it so I could resaw more....which I have not done.... I really do not like band saws... I do not like changing blades.. fact my beautiful Grizzly sits most the time..collecting dust...  I have looked at the Carter upgrades... but not worth it for not more than I use the saw...

Paul, I'll help declutter your shop and store your bandsaw for you. Just trying to be a nice guy.

[Heli_av8tor]

I put a riser block on my old Delta clone and put the “cool block” guides.

 I could never get it to cut straight until I watched and followed Alex Snodgrass (of Carter Products) setup video. Also don’t overlook the benefits of a quality blade. I like Timberwolf but haven’t tried many others.

resawing is now a breeze.

 

[Angelo]

Hi everybody,

sorry to bother you with an additional question on the bandsaw issue, do you have any suggestions to “reduce” the recurrence of the blade breakages.

I am using a 3/16 4 TPI to make some small boxes and I am breaking blades very often , I am following all the suggested settings but unsuccessfully.

like I said sorry , if you think I am out of the topic let me know

Thank you

 

[OCtoolguy]

1 hour ago, Angelo said:

Hi everybody,

sorry to bother you with an additional question on the bandsaw issue, do you have any suggestions to “reduce” the recurrence of the blade breakages.

I am using a 3/16 4 TPI to make some small boxes and I am breaking blades very often , I am following all the suggested settings but unsuccessfully.

like I said sorry , if you think I am out of the topic let me know

Thank you

 

No problem. Your question may tie in. Have you seen the video on the Carter stabilizer? It may solve your problem.

[Woodmaster1]

I installed the Carter stabilizer on my bandsaw it works great. I use an eighth inch blade that is the only size used. I have another bandsaw with a resaw blade. The best part of the stabilizer is you don't use the lower blade guide. Once you setup the stabilizer you're good to go. My old blade guides are in a drawer.

[BadBob]

I have both the Carter stabilizer and the guides installed on two Shopsmith bandsaws. I have tried every guide system available for my bandsaws. These are far better than any other guide available for my saw.

I cut this using the stabilizer with no relief cuts and never backing out. Using the stabilizer requires some practice.

[MrsN]

@Angelo I have tips on breaking bandsaw blades! First is pay attention to the width of the blade and the tightness of the curves you are trying to cut. This shows a guide for how tight your curves can be.  Pinching the blade in a tight curve creates a lot of heat build-up in the blade which makes it weak and more likely to break.

The second tip that I give my students is to let the blade do the cutting, don't force feed wood into the machine. 

[Oldmansbike]

Woodmaster how do like that Porter Cable bandsaw? Does it have enough power for resawing? Thanks

[OCtoolguy]

4 hours ago, MrsN said:

@Angelo I have tips on breaking bandsaw blades! First is pay attention to the width of the blade and the tightness of the curves you are trying to cut. This shows a guide for how tight your curves can be.  Pinching the blade in a tight curve creates a lot of heat build-up in the blade which makes it weak and more likely to break.

The second tip that I give my students is to let the blade do the cutting, don't force feed wood into the machine. 

Thanks Katie, that's a great graphic. I'll print it out and tape it to my bandsaw.

 

[Woodmaster1]

6 hours ago, Oldmansbike said:

Woodmaster how do like that Porter Cable bandsaw? Does it have enough power for resawing? Thanks

The porter cable bandsaw has a 1 1/2 hp motor. I see no problem resawing with it. You need to get a good quality 1/2" resaw blade. I have used a grizzly and Delta 14" bandsaws where I taught woodworking and it is every bit as good as those.

[Roberta Moreton]

20 hours ago, Angelo said:

Hi everybody,

sorry to bother you with an additional question on the bandsaw issue, do you have any suggestions to “reduce” the recurrence of the blade breakages.

I am using a 3/16 4 TPI to make some small boxes and I am breaking blades very often , I am following all the suggested settings but unsuccessfully.

like I said sorry , if you think I am out of the topic let me know

Thank you

 

Yes! Don’t let my husband use it!

[Roberta Moreton]

I did install the guides. Then I needed to re saw some thing. I did not change back to the thin blade. Then my cusband decided to cut a VERY THICK hunk of wood into a circle so he could mount it to his lathe. Now I need a new blade. I haven’t put the thin blade back on it yet. 

[Angelo]

Kate, Ray,

thank you very much for the reply.

I know about the Carter stabilizer and maybe it’s the way to go , I didn’t want invest more money on the band saw but I think it will be necessary.

I have the same graphics on the side of the saw and I always try to stay in that “spec”, about the “feeding “ you are absolutely right but sometimes cutting the curves I guess I am not using the correct , let’s say, feeding force.

thank you again.

Angelo

[ben2008]

On 1/20/2021 at 8:52 PM, Scrappile said:

I have not upgraded anything on my band saw,,,, except to put a riser block in it so I could resaw more....which I have not done.... I really do not like band saws... I do not like changing blades.. fact my beautiful Grizzly sits most the time..collecting dust...  I have looked at the Carter upgrades... but not worth it for not more than I use the saw...

I'm with you. I have a Jet band saw that has sat in the same spot for about 20 years and I have used it about 10/15 times. None in the last 10 years or so. I tried for a short time to scroll with it. I bought a 1/8" blade. Never could get the hang of that thing. It drifted all over the place. probably my fault. Anyway, it's sitting there collecting dust. It does a real good job at that.

[Davevand]

On 1/20/2021 at 9:57 PM, Angelo said:

Hi everybody,

sorry to bother you with an additional question on the bandsaw issue, do you have any suggestions to “reduce” the recurrence of the blade breakages.

I am using a 3/16 4 TPI to make some small boxes and I am breaking blades very often , I am following all the suggested settings but unsuccessfully.

like I said sorry , if you think I am out of the topic let me know

Thank you

 

I use the Carter stabilizer on my saw for narrow blades, I also added a quick release tension system.  Don't leave tension on your narrow blades when not in use. I think the bigger issue is the narrow blade and aggressive teeth, I would try a higher tooth count or a wider blade.

[kmmcrafts]

I use my Bandsaw way more than I do my table saw.. Probably would help if I had a good table saw though.. Smoked a bearing in my table saw motor about 5 years ago and smoke rolled out of the motor.. I took the motor apart and put a new bearing in it but it doesn't have the power to cut solid lumber like it used to.. Just a cheap Tradesman brand saw that I bought on clearance back in the 90's.. I only use it for breaking down sheets of 1/8 - 1/4 BB ply for the last few years.. 

I also like the Timberwolf blades.. Last time I ordered woodslicer resaw blade and I like it better yet for resawing purposes.. really nice blades.. 

[Fish]

My brother told me about the carter stabilizer-I bought it and love it. It is well worth the money. 

[OCtoolguy]

12 minutes ago, Fish said:

My brother told me about the carter stabilizer-I bought it and love it. It is well worth the money. 

That's what I was thinking of doing. My saw seems to cut pretty well now the way it is set up. I'd like to try my luck with resawing. I bought 2 of the H/F bar magnets and I'm going to make a good tall fence using them. I will have to try to get hold of some TimberWolf blades. So far, all I've been using is Olsen. My saw had the quick release tension on it from Delta. Not after-market. I had to replace the tension/tilt slider because it got stuck in the machine groove and when I tapped it with a dead blow hammer, it fell to pieces. I found a complete assemby on eBay and after filing/honing the grooves, it now slides very nicely. I also put some synthetic grease in the grooves. I don't think it had ever had any lube on it at all. Anyway, thanks to all for you replies and advice. I think I'll go with just the stabilizer for now. And good blades.

 

[Fish]

Carter makes great blades too. I order from their website.  

[rustynail]

 I have one of the Carter blade stabilizers and they work great for small blades and would recommend it 

[GusGustin]

On 1/20/2021 at 4:11 PM, octoolguy said:

I've got a Chinese made Delta 28-206 band saw. Not a bad saw considering where it was made. My question is, have any of you folks upgraded your band saws to the Carter blade guides and if so, what is your overall impression? Are they truly worth the money? I didn't pay too much more for the saw than what those guides cost. My saw seems to track pretty well now but I want to do some resawing and was wondering just how much better they would make my saw. Also, I was looking at the Carter blade stabilizer for the smaller blades so do more of the scrolling type of cuts. Just pondering here but would really like the feedback from those of you who made the investment.

I put the carter's on .. I love 'em .. I have to get the stabilizer next - then I can use the 1/8 and 3/16" blades.  Until then .. I bought a little RYOBI 9" that takes a 59 inch blade .. and .. it runs the 1/8 and 3/16" blades like a champ. But - it's WAY underpowered .. so .. just cutting 1" stuff and below with it right now.

Gotta get that STABLIZER ..