Horizontal/Vertical Bandsaw - Blade Guide Alignment

[@jpf1950]

Thank you Mr. Brown. I have a used Enco 7x12 that is not cutting square on any plane. Your explanation has been most enlightening.

[@The4Crawler]

Glad to help. Also, be sure to check the pivot point at the back of the saw, sometimes those wear and cause issues.

[@MagaRickn]

I'm having similar issues with a "semi" portable band saw I purchased from Harbor Freight. After installing it on a mounting bracket, the blade tends to want to twist and it ends up sawing at an angle. I will look at the guides and see if there is an adjustment.

[@The4Crawler]

That's a good place to start. Make sure the guides are up snug against the blade. Also, looks at the pivot on your bracket as these saws can put a lot of twisting force on the bracket.

[@DrDime_]

Currently cutting some 8 inch solid plastic on our shop saw. What a nightmare.... blade is angled 10 degrees towards the saw vice but it cuts a 10 degree taper in the opposite direction 😂

[@The4Crawler]

Yes, plastic can be a challenge. I cut loads of plastic on my saw, although nothing quite that large. One thing I do is to keep a dedicated blade for plastic. It's usually something with the teeth on the blade that'll make it cut off like that.

[@DrDime_]

@@The4Crawler I was thinking a blade with a wider tooth offset might work better. With the larger od plastic, the slightest bit of drift causes the blade to get hot and eventually stuck. It's such a pain. Multi million dollar company with a 600$ saw 👍

[@The4Crawler]

@@DrDime_ Yes, try some different blades. I usually run something in the 4-6 TPI range. Might also step the saw down a speed or two to reduce the heat generation.

[@DrDime_]

@@The4Crawleralready slowed her down but will have to try a blade like that. Or they could just get my big saw wired back up in the machine shop and I wouldn't be wanting to set this saw on fire 😂

[@The4Crawler]

@@DrDime_ For sure, a larger saw will be more rigid. On the blade, you want to look for a "raker set" on the teeth, which is how they are set on a crosscut wood saw. Also, you need a large gullet on each tooth to leave room for the cut material. There are special plastic cutting blades available, about 3 times the cost of a similar metal cutting blade though.

[@pavelrozhkov8598]

Have you ever trying clean your saw?

[@mightydeathlash2867]

Thank you! Helps a lot 🥹

[@The4Crawler]

Glad it helped!