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That Darn Subject Of Coplane Again...

1749 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  Jerry Bowen
Today I accidently ran across the program on TV named "How It's Made". The subject was on the manufacture of band saws.

At one point in the very sketchy information was they showed a very interesting jig that was used to get the wheels into "coplane" and went on to say how very important coplane is.

I recall a video that I watched on youtube in regard to setting up a hight end BS, don't recall the make right now, but there was much emphasis placed on getting the wheels into coplane.

Then ther is Alex Snodgrass who I put all of my faith in that says to leave you BS wheels they came from the factory as the people that make the saws know what they are doing.

My 17" Grizzly's wheels are not even close to being in coplane and saw works beautifully.

Now, I'm just making a statement, I'm not asking a question, just thought that it is rather interesting that some people that should know put so much emphasis on the issue and others, in this case Grzzly Tools does not hold to the same thinking.

Jerry
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Could it be that some saws are made coplane and some not? So everyone is right some of the time? I have no idea and I find it all very confusing.
Like you Jerry I follow Mr. Snodgrass.
I have no idea if my bandsaw is coplane or not, but I do know I don’t have tracking problems, so that’s good enough for me


In woodworking there is always more then one way to accomplish something.
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Can't recall where I learned it, but I read that coplaner does not necessarily mean the two wheels are aligned perfectly parallel. It means the blade tracks consistently without wandering. I agree with Snodgrass, don't mess with it.
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Interesting point, Jerry.

I have mine set as per Alex....
Can't recall where I learned it, but I read that coplaner does not necessarily mean the two wheels are aligned perfectly parallel. It means the blade tracks consistently without wandering. I agree with Snodgrass, don't mess with it.[/ ]



Here is a link to a youtube video by Grizzly tht shows at at about 5:17 minutes into the program that they are showing how to set the wheels and they look like they want tthem to be alighned. Also, they talk about centering the blade on the top wheel whcuh is not at all what Alex says to do do. This is convusing in one respect but if we just let Alex be the expert and follow his lead we should not have any problems, it's just sort of, as we all seem to agree, that it is some sort of a mystery.


https://youtu.be/rxfZphxj2eM?t=17

Jerry
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And to add to the confusion there are tires which have a crown and there are flat tires. My latest bandsaw is an old 20 year plus Minmax 450mm bandsaw with flat tires. With flat tires I do not follow Alex's video any more. I did with my old Ricon bandsaw. But the flat tires don't seem to work that way. I could be wrong but I have not tried to center the teeth on the wheel and my bandsaw seems to work well. Besides if I go to a large blade there does not seem to be room for the blade to be setup Alex's way.
You all keep bringing up subjects like this, and I’m gonna be pretty sure I’m not smart enough to be a woodworker. (I hope I’m joking)
You all keep bringing up subjects like this, and I’m gonna be pretty sure I’m not smart enough to be a woodworker. (I hope I’m joking)


Artie,

You must keep in mind that I am old man, pretty much confined to bed and do not have of a life anymore. My only social outlet is this forum and I dhave nothing to do but read what is posted on the forum and think up things that will get some attention from folks like you. I do watch a lot of youtube videos. My vision is getting to the point that I am having trouble seeing well enough to read the posts and to post back, so with that said, just cut this of guy some slack and avoid any posts that you see my name attached to.

I do understand that your post is not one that is meant to be negative, but more in the light of having fun, or so it am lead to believe.

Jerry
And to add to the confusion there are tires which have a crown and there are flat tires. My latest bandsaw is an old 20 year plus Minmax 450mm bandsaw with flat tires. With flat tires I do not follow Alex's video any more. I did with my old Ricon bandsaw. But the flat tires don't seem to work that way. I could be wrong but I have not tried to center the teeth on the wheel and my bandsaw seems to work well. Besides if I go to a large blade there does not seem to be room for the blade to be setup Alex's way.
Whenever I have a flat tire it's always on the bottom. Can't figure it out.
Depending on the bandsaw design, "coplane" may not mean, parallel faces. Coplane, alignment, and tension, is important in any belt driven application. I always assumed that parallel faces was the only means of alignment, in a belt driven application. Most of the systems that I installed had matching wheels. This made alignment easy.

Just thinking out loud. Thanks for bringing this topic up. It is always good to learn something new.
Whenever I have a flat tire it's always on the bottom. Can't figure it out.[/QUOTe


Come to think of it, I have found that to be true for me to, there must be some simple explanation for it, maybe domebody on the forum knows the answer.

Another thing that I have noticed about flat times, they always occure at inconvient times, at least that's my experience.

Jerry
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Artie,

You must keep in mind that I am old man, pretty much confined to bed and do not have of a life anymore. My only social outlet is this forum and I dhave nothing to do but read what is posted on the forum and think up things that will get some attention from folks like you. I do watch a lot of youtube videos. My vision is getting to the point that I am having trouble seeing well enough to read the posts and to post back, so with that said, just cut this of guy some slack and avoid any posts that you see my name attached to.

I do understand that your post is not one that is meant to be negative, but more in the light of having fun, or so it am lead to believe.

Jerry
Hi Jerry, let me apologize for my attempt at being funny. I met nothing negative at all. Probably the number one thing my wife says about me is. “You’re not as funny as you think you are”. I am a very green newcomer to this hobby, and haven’t even learned what I don’t now yet. I have learned A LOT, from the members here, and appreciate their willingness to share their knowledge. I hope you continue to be active here. Artie
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Hi Jerry, let me apologize for my attempt at being funny. I met nothing negative at all. Probably the number one thing my wife says about me is. “You’re not as funny as you think you are”. I am a very green newcomer to this hobby, and haven’t even learned what I don’t now yet. I have learned A LOT, from the members here, and appreciate their willingness to share their knowledge. I hope you continue to be active here. Artie
Thank your Artie,

I don't recall what you are making reference to in regard to an apology.

My wife has used tha quip on me a couple of time and have sort of broke me to lead in that I try to avoid giving her a reason to say it.

Like you, I don't much about what I don't know about yet. Slome of the folks on this forum are near genius and others really know woodworking to inth degree.

As I have noted in the past I had about two and a half years of experience with the new and intrigueing hobby before my health failed.

So much of the value of this forum is the back and forth between members such as your post to me, thanks for thinking of me an sharing your thinking.

Aren't you glad that you don't know every thing that there is to know about wood working, the learning is what has been the most enjoyable to me, I'm pretty sure that you know what I'm talking about.

Jerry
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