-20-
g0457 14" industrial Bandsaw (Mfg. Since 5/11)
Blade Tracking
the blade tracking is primarily affected by the
tilt of the upper wheel, also known as "Center
tracking"; and the alignment of both wheels, also
known as "Coplanar tracking." (For Coplanar
tracking, see the
Wheel Alignment instructions
on
page 49.)
the wheels on the Model g0457 were aligned at
the factory, so Center tracking is the only adjust-
ment that needs to be performed when the saw
is new.
To center track the blade:
1. diSConneCt BAndSAW FroM poWer!
2. Adjust the upper and lower guide bearings
and support bearings as far away as possible
from the blade.
3. open the upper wheel cover.
4. Adjust blade tension until the mark on the
blade tension scale matches the size of the
installed blade.
The cast iron spokes may have sharp edges
and the blade teeth may extend beyond the
edge of the wheel, creating a laceration haz-
ard. Be careful when turning the wheels by
hand.
5. Spin the upper wheel by hand at least three
times and watch how the blade rides on the
crown of the wheel. refer to
figure 22 for an
illustration of this concept.
—
If the blade rides in the center of the
upper wheel and is centered on the peak
of the wheel crown, then the bandsaw is
already tracked properly and no further
adjustments are needed at this time.
—
If the blade does not ride in the center
of the upper wheel and is not centered
on the peak of the wheel crown, then
continue with the following steps.
Blade Centered
on peak of Crown
Blade
Centered
on Wheel
Center trACKing
Wheel
figure 22. Center tracking profiles.
NOTICE
changes in the blade tension may change
the blade tracking.
6. loosen the tracking control lock knob (figure
23) so that the tracking control knob will
rotate for adjustments.
7. Spin the upper wheel with one hand and
rotate the tracking control knob with the other
hand to make the blade ride in the center of
the bandsaw wheel tire.
8. tighten the tracking control lock knob and
close the upper wheel cover.
For the best performance from your saw, regularly
maintain the proper tracking of the blade.
figure 23. location of tracking control knob.
tracking
Control lock
Knob
tracking Control
Knob
