Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Your Bandsaw
This section of the site is designed to help you get to know your saw and troubleshoot any problems that might come up. If you need further assistance, please call our office at 1-800-966-1925.
Here are frequently asked questions about “The Original” – the EF1459
Q. The saw develops camber. What do I do? (back)
A. Here are the five most common causes of camber in the EF1459 and the solutions.
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The feed pressure is too heavy |
Readjust |
2. |
The saw guides are too far apart |
Adjust closer to the work |
3. |
The blade is riding against the flange on the wheel |
Tilt the wheel for proper tracking |
4. |
The roller guides are not properly adjusted |
Readjust |
5. |
The saw band pitch is too fine |
Use a coarser pitch |
Q. The blade develops twist. What do I do? (back)
A. Here are the common causes of twist:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The saw is binding in the cut |
Reduce feed rate |
2. |
The saw guide inserts or rollers are too close to the saw |
Readjust |
3. |
You’re using the wrong width of blade for the radius being cut |
Use narrower band saw blade |
4. |
There is too much blade tension |
Reduce blade tension |
Q. The saw dulls prematurely. Now what? (back)
A. Check the following:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The band velocity is too high |
Reduce band velocity |
2. |
The feed rate is too light |
Increase feed rate |
3. |
The pitch it too coarse |
Use a finer pitch |
4. |
The saw idles through the cut |
Keep the teeth engaged and use positive feed pressure |
5. |
The coolant is improperly directed |
Apply coolant at the point of cut |
6. |
There is improper break-in on a new blade |
Reduce feed rate by half on the first few cuts |
7. |
The saw guides are improper for the band width |
Replace the guides with the correct ones |
Q. The Saw loses set prematurely. (back)
A. Here’s what to look for:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The saw is too wide for the radius being cut |
Replace your blade with a smaller one |
2. |
The saw speed is too fast |
Decrease the speed |
3. |
The saw is rubbing against the vise or running deep in the guides |
Check the travel |
4. |
You are not using coolant |
Try introducing it |
Q. The saw vibrates in the cut. (back)
A. Check the following:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
You are using the wrong speed for the material and its thickness |
See the section on recommended speed and feed in your owner’s manual |
2. |
There is insufficient blade tension |
Increase the tension |
3. |
The pitch is too coarse |
Select a finer pitch |
4. |
There is incorrect feed pressure |
Adjust the feed pressure |
5. |
The work-piece is not held securely |
Tighten the clamp |
Q. The saw teeth rip out. (back)
A. Here’s what to look for:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The pitch is too coarse |
Use finer pitch on thin sections |
2. |
The work is not tightly clamped |
Tighten work-piece to prevent vibration |
3. |
You are sawing dry |
Use coolant where possible |
4. |
The gullets are loading |
Use coarser pitch or higher viscosity lubricant; or, attach brush to remove chip |
5. |
There is excessive feed pressure |
Reduce the feed pressure |
6. |
The speed is too low |
Increase speed |
Q. The saw blade breaks prematurely. (back)
A. Here are the possible causes and solutions:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The speed is too low |
Increase speed |
2. |
There is too much feed |
Decrease feed |
3. |
The blade is too thick for the diameter of the wheels |
Use a lighter gage |
4. |
There is cracking at the weld – the weld is improperly made |
Try longer anneal |
5. |
The pitch is too coarse |
Use finer pitch |
6. |
There is excessive blade tension |
Reduce tension |
7. |
The guides are too tight or out of adjustment |
Readjust |
Q. The blade stalls in the work-piece. (back)
A. The cause may be that the feed pressure is too great, so decrease the feed pressure.
Q. The band saw blade squeals while sawing. (back)
A. When the blade squeals, the feed is too low. Increase feed pressure.
Q. The cutting rate is too slow. (back)
A. When the cutting rate is too slow, one of the following will remedy the problem:
- Increase speed
- Increase feed
- Use a coarser pitch blade
- Use coolant
Q. Bandsaw blade gullets are loading up. (back)
A. Try the following:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The pitch is too fine |
Use a coarser pitch |
2. |
The band speed is too great |
Reduce band speed |
3. |
You are cutting dry |
Use coolant |
Q. The chips are welding to the bandsaw blade teeth. (back)
A. There are three possible causes:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The feed force is too heavy |
Reduce feed force |
2. |
The chip brush is out of alignment |
Adjust chip brush |
3. |
The coolant is the wrong type, improperly mixed, or improperly applied |
Change the coolant |
Q. The band saw becomes scored. (back)
A. Here are the three possible causes and recommended solutions:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The saw guides are worn |
Replace them |
2. |
The guides are out of alignment |
Adjust |
3. |
The guides are too tight |
Adjust |
Q. The bandsaw is cutting crooked! (back)
A. For a straight cut, try the following adjustments:
|
Cause |
Solution |
1. |
The guides are out of adjustment |
Readjust |
2. |
The guides are worn |
Repair or replace them |
3. |
The feed is too heavy |
Reduce feed |
4. |
The blade is badly worn |
Replace blade |
5. |
The guide arms are too far apart from the work-piece |
Adjust guide arms |
Your EF1459 is made for years of trouble-free service. For further assistance, please call our office at (800) 966-1925. |
