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g-man · 08-13-2006, 08:16 PM

Some of the experts say to detension the bandsaw blade after you use the saw and retension it when you want to use it again. Does anyone have any comments about this?

Gary

berry · 08-13-2006, 08:37 PM

I have no idea if it helps or not, but I back tension off on my bandsaw 2 turns of the tensioning control if I don't intend to use if for 24 hours or longer. When I'm ready to use it again I just add the 2 complete turns. It's simple and doesn't take any time so why not?

**bobj3** · 08-13-2006, 08:53 PM

Hi Gary

I would disagree with the experts on that one, hi tension steel once loaded that's it,it's not going to stretch anymore, break yes ,but that will happen when you over load it up.
And removing the load after you use it will not do anything but make your job a bit harder when you want to use the saw.

Some call it spring steel but that's just a gen'l.term because it will hold it's shape and taking off the tension will not change the blade dia.

or make it last longer.

Just my 2 cents

Bj

MichaelHaney · 08-13-2006, 10:54 PM

In theory; the reason some manufacturers want the tension removed from the band is to keep the tires from deforming. Notice the word "Theory". The thickness of the wheel, the temperature, and the composition of the tires all play in, but I had never seen a wheel deformed from sustained tension.

Michael

kp91 · 08-14-2006, 08:36 AM

It depends on how long you are going to leave the saw alone. Overnight, probably not a big deal. I would detension the saw if you are not going to use it for a long while. My Grizzly has a quick release tension lever, so it's no big deal to detension.

Of course, just remember to re-tension it before you start it up..... makes a lot of racket!

g-man · 08-14-2006, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kp91

It depends on how long you are going to leave the saw alone. Overnight, probably not a big deal. I would detension the saw if you are not going to use it for a long while. My Grizzly has a quick release tension lever, so it's no big deal to detension.

Of course, just remember to re-tension it before you start it up..... makes a lot of racket!

Here's the problem: When I de-tension the blade, the next time I use it I forget to re-tension it so I'm not going to do it anymore. Thank you all for the comments.

Gary

08-13-2006, 08:16 PM	#1
g-man Registered User Dedicated Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 47 View g-man's Gallery	Report This Post! Detensioning the bandsaw? Some of the experts say to detension the bandsaw blade after you use the saw and retension it when you want to use it again. Does anyone have any comments about this? Gary
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08-13-2006, 08:37 PM	#2
berry Registered User Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul, MN Posts: 64 View berry's Gallery	Report This Post! I have no idea if it helps or not, but I back tension off on my bandsaw 2 turns of the tensioning control if I don't intend to use if for 24 hours or longer. When I'm ready to use it again I just add the 2 complete turns. It's simple and doesn't take any time so why not?
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08-13-2006, 08:53 PM	#3
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,305 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Gary I would disagree with the experts on that one, hi tension steel once loaded that's it,it's not going to stretch anymore, break yes ,but that will happen when you over load it up. And removing the load after you use it will not do anything but make your job a bit harder when you want to use the saw. Some call it spring steel but that's just a gen'l.term because it will hold it's shape and taking off the tension will not change the blade dia. or make it last longer. Just my 2 cents Bj __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J. Last edited by bobj3; 08-13-2006 at 08:58 PM.
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08-13-2006, 10:54 PM	#4
MichaelHaney Registered User Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 60 View MichaelHaney's Gallery	Report This Post! In theory; the reason some manufacturers want the tension removed from the band is to keep the tires from deforming. Notice the word "Theory". The thickness of the wheel, the temperature, and the composition of the tires all play in, but I had never seen a wheel deformed from sustained tension. Michael
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08-14-2006, 08:36 AM	#5
kp91 Marine Engineer Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, VA First Name: Doug Posts: 921 View kp91's Gallery	Report This Post! It depends on how long you are going to leave the saw alone. Overnight, probably not a big deal. I would detension the saw if you are not going to use it for a long while. My Grizzly has a quick release tension lever, so it's no big deal to detension. Of course, just remember to re-tension it before you start it up..... makes a lot of racket! __________________ Doug 1 John 1:9
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