How to Get a Horizontal Band Saw to Cut Straight.

[@carmenk4018]

Boy, this is going to save me a bit of grief at work I really appreciate the video.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Thanks Brian, this is the best video to help understand how to set up a metal cutting band saw yet.

[@bcbloc02]

Thanks!

[@frednewman2162]

Good video Brian! Can’t tell you how much time I lost once trying to figure out why cuts weren’t straight, only to find out it was the blade! That blade issue is probably one of the most overlooked items with a band saw’s not cutting true.

[@jimhumphrey]

Tool and shop videos coming from the frozen north are few and far between the last few day. You have braved the cold for us...thanks

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Great video, super helpful. Thank you for creating and sharing.

[@bradleymackenzie2859]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. After watching this video, I went out to the garage and made some of the checks and adjustments you suggest. Granted, my saw is much smaller and less industrial then yours, but it cuts better now than it ever has before.

[@bcbloc02]

I am glad it helped you out!

[@davidtwining4739]

Thanks Brian! I have a Scotchman 10 x 16 horizontal bandsaw that cuts crooked. You gave a lot of good tips to get that corrected. Thanks again.

[@bcbloc02]

Glad to help!

[@barrygerbracht5077]

Great info Brian. Thanks. The pivot rigidity and alignment of the fence to the pivot was perhaps the non obvious one.

[@fcarp1685]

I have an old Wellsaw and have wondered how to get better cuts. The consistent down pressure is a great point! My saw no longer has a down feed cylinder so that sounds like a goal to work toward. Thank you for the advice!

[@ROBRENZ]

Great Video Brian. My only input is that IF you have a saw with a controlled feed rate like my Roll in Saw you can run a coarse blade all the time. I run a 4-6 variable pitch and cut everything from 1/8" thick and up. ATB, Robin

[@bcbloc02]

How does it do on thin wall tube like exhaust pipe?

[@ROBRENZ]

It is ok to about 1/16 wall as long as it is not to floppy. You know what its like, the saw will be feeding the correct feed per tooth but the material can flex and self feed into the blade especially with the positive rake blades and different locations on tubing.

[@bearsrodshop7067]

Morning Brian, Ok 3 years has blown by since you shot this, but on Jan 4th 2022, when down to visit and pick up a HF 4x6 he gave away. If you watched the ARW this pass Sunday, the discussion lead into saws and blades. When Joe said anyone wanted the saw to contact him and come get. The saw was a good way for me to finally go dw to Austin and see his shop and meet. Was one birthday that topped them all (@@)! His shop is well organized and got a fire built under my butt to get organized and cleaned up,,,:)>. And way, got it here and adjusting it to run straight. Since he only used once, it's like new and will be used only for a fill in. Have a good one, and "Keep on Keeping on",,,Bear.

[@bcbloc02]

Hope you like the saw and get good use from it. Joe seems like a great guy.

[@pappamike100]

you continue to impress me. you talk like an engineer.

[@doublebulbing]

thats because If I recall correctly he is

[@binks166]

Brian, thanks for taking on the topic. I have two Wells saws and will be dialing them in soon. Harvey

[@JeremiahL]

Awesome video. I just bought an old Johnsons model R bandsaw, and there is no good documentation on how to set up the saw or make adjustments. The model R is much smaller, but the over all design architecture looks to be about the same. I've been watching your videos for the past couple of years, and always enjoy them... Thank again

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day Brian thanks for the info on getting the bandsaw square very helpful regards John.

[@SportsKid006-milbert]

I always learn something from watching your videos, thank you!

[@ron827]

Very good tutorial. My saw is a small inexpensive (OK it's cheap and made by the C.H. Ina company) saw which does not compare to your Johnson. Yeah I know, we should not be comparing Johnsons. An old timer shared with me a method for aligning a saw by cutting a block of wood and using a square on it to to see which way the blade needs to be adjusted. It does not take into account cutting pressure but has worked well for me on small material.

[@stefantrethan]

That's what I did too. After adjusting for a square cut with a wood piece (by trial and error) it was near perfect on steel. The wood cuts quickly, even a large piece close to capacity of the saw.

[@diggindiggenit6540]

I have just bought a model J that came with a eight foot roller feeder on the side that I cut down to six, changed it from three phase to one replaced the power cord and changed out the motor to single phase, made the first cut and it cuts not true, I messed with the roller adjustments and it seems those only adjust the angle of the blade? after watching your video I will have a better path to figure out how to align the machine. Shouldn't these machines all have a lubricating system on them for the blade? mine is with out.

[@bcbloc02]

At the speeds the blade runs on these they can cut just fine dry as it is several seconds before a tooth that took a cut comes back around to take another giving it plenty of time to cool. Lubricant can of course make blades last a little longer but there is a mess that goes with that. so....

[@rayeddy528]

More great stuff !!! Thank you Brian !!! Stay safe my friend and may God richly bless you !!!! Eddy

[@davidfraser4830]

Thanks Brian that makes good sense. Tell me...you must have had very big toys as a child haha.

[@SouthernEngineering]

In the vein of Chuck Norris, Brian didn't have a Tonya toy bulldozer, he had a Cat D8. ;)

[@torque350hp]

Good stuf, thanks for sharing. I only thought about half those variables till now.

[@harbermachineworks3927]

Love the old Johnson saws I have three in my shop. Thanks for the tips!!!

[@bcbloc02]

That is a lot of saws for one shop!

[@harbermachineworks3927]

We make a lot of bit rings and have all three running

[@kristiangjerstorff8212]

If you have checked everything Brian mentioned and your saw is still teasing you, make sure your roller track (Where long pieces of Steel rest on) is level and same height as the saw table. It might be obvious but I had mine drop down once and I didnt notice - took me som time to find the error :).

[@bcbloc02]

Yep if your part points towards the sky or the ground you will have troubles. :-)

[@MyShopNotes]

Thanks for the tips Brian, I got a small harbor freight quality and for my use it's good. I got all the squareness stuff right and it cuts well the few trials I did. I will have to inspect the rigidity and what I can do about it now that you mention that it is a factor.

[@danielwerger5641]

Yup. Tricky them band saws. Good vid Brian, thanks.

[@charlescartwright6367]

I didn't see the paw print of approval on this clip..... can I take the information as valid? Mahalo for the information Brian, as always informative.

[@ShadowamongtheKnight]

Thank u sir, “Cut force” I think that’s my issue. Bought a used Johnson just like yours I believe. Cut great for a while then it started cutting crooked. I adjusted pretty much like u said but the air cylinder is wore out. So it basically cuts at free fall speed unless I ease it into the steel. Gonna get new cylinder and see what happens. Thanks again for the knowledge. 👍

[@bcbloc02]

I hope it helps!

[@turbocobra]

that johnson bandsaw is badass, useful info on this one for sure.

[@potlimit2002]

Hello from Eastern Kentucky.

[@bcbloc02]

Hi from central Kentucky.

[@johnorourke9757]

Excellent video. Thanks Brian

[@ronringel9132]

Well done Brian. Thanks for sharing.

[@houseofbrokendobbsthings5537]

Well done tooth description was very useful. _Dan_

[@nashguy207]

Thanks for sharing. A good tutorial on a band saw blade!!! God Bless

[@rickbrandt9559]

Semi-hibernation? Your floor heat will keep up once ground gets heat soaked takes about 2 months got to start it about 1st Oct next year.Like the vids.

[@bcbloc02]

Once the building is no longer open to the outside world it will help a ton.

[@ggordon4127]

Thanks for the tips greatly appreciated. Heavy duty for sure.

[@moms762]

I have a 10x18 Johnson just like that except yours might have a bit more paint on it. I have a bit of wear in the area where the stock would normally lay. What would you do in that case ? would you build it up by brazing or do you think the machine would stay Rigid enough if you had the whole bed machined flat ? I guess it might depend on how much needed machined off but I'm going to say 1/16th anyway, I dont think more than 1/8th.

[@bcbloc02]

Weld and machine would be my top choice but honestly JB weld would probably work more than good enough to get the saw back in proper order for a long time. You could fill the lows with jb weld, take the fence off and run lengthways with a belt sander so it rests on good surfaces and flatten it out with that.

[@RaysGarage]

Great info Brian, thanks for sharing buddy!

[@karldensch4213]

I got a Johnson model j needing to get some new blades what brand do you prefer.

[@bcbloc02]

Currently I am running Lennox RX+ blades and have been getting real good life.

[@karldensch4213]

bcbloc02 thanks for the info

[@meduffer]

Great lesson. Just like to find a bandsaw like yours.

[@ericcorse]

Thanks Brian great info and well done.

[@SolidRockMachineShopInc]

Thanks for the information Brian. Steve

[@MakinSumthinFromNuthin]

A rigid Johnson is always a plus in my book.

[@doublebulbing]

and a Big Johnson is always a plus in her book

[@Made2hack]

Are you saying that the ladies like band saws??

[@chrish7883]

Yeah, you can't beat a rigid johnson. The more rigid the better!! LMFAO

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Do you have any small tools? Cutting straight can be a real challenge.

[@bcbloc02]

I have an air die grinder that count? :-)

[@tomkrause62]

Even my 30 yo Harbor Freight saw will cut near perfectly straight as long as the blade is good. As soon as the blade craps out all bets are off. That saw is one of the best $179 I ever spent on a tool, I've used the hell out of it.

[@williamogilvie9593]

Hey Brian. My bandsaw is off by about 1/16” over 6” vertical sweep measuring with a square. I’ve tried shimming the upper portion of the spring arm that connects to the bow. Not much luck and this throws the blade off square to the fence. If your sweep is off how do you correct it?

[@bcbloc02]

It sounds like your hinge pin is either not parallel to the table surface or to the fence or both. In order to cut straight the pivot point must be in line.

[@CathyInBlue]

Bryan: "…super stiff […] Johnson…" 12 year old me: [stifling a snicker with all my might]

[@Scrollermania1963]

Brian ....I was wondering if you can talk a little about blade tension , and when you know you set tension correctly ?

[@bcbloc02]

Set as tight as you can by hand. If you fail bearings or see you are bowing your saw frame it is too much. The tighter it is the better it will cut.

[@Scrollermania1963]

bcbloc02 thanks brian...i recently purchased one of the harbor freight $1000.00 horizontal saws.. Great videos by the way....

[@TomChame]

Well explained, thanks.

[@rolliekelly6783]

I always try to have my side guide rollers just not quite or just barely kissing the blade. Too, I set my side rollers no lower than mid gullet to prevent them from rolling out the set in the blade. Hope our weather warms a little so you can get back on the shop, Rollie

[@stefantrethan]

On a vertical saw that's fine, but on the horizontal the guide rollers twist the blade, so there is always considerable force against them. I set them so I can push the blade in between the rollers snug but without excessive force, and just shy of the tooth set for maximum leverage. The rear ones I set for minimal contact so I can still stop them with a stick from turning with the blade, just like you might set the rollers on a steady rest.

[@Bookerb2004]

Well Done, Great Tips

[@WatchWesWork]

The best way to get a straight cut in thicker material is to use a saw with a wider blade. I could never get a good cut on my old Emerson saw with 3/4 blades. My Amada uses 1" blades with carbide guides and it cuts dead square. It's not even adjustable, doesn't need to be. 1-1/4 blades would be even better.

[@bcbloc02]

I have run both 3/4 and 1inch on my Johnson and I can't actually tell much difference, the wider your cut the more I think the thicker blade really shines.

[@forbesmathews89]

Johnson's are always needing adjustment....I trashed mine...Just to much trouble !!! Once set up; My current Wells will cutt square, paper thin blade after blade with no more adjustment.

[@bcbloc02]

I don't know. I just did 40 cuts on 4" bar stock and everyone of them cleaned up with a .010" face cut so I don't think that is too bad. Glad your wells is doing good though! If it is a twin post saw really can't be beat.

[@forbesmathews89]

My problem with the Johnson's I have had, is they would not stay in adjustment over time. Yes, the wells is a twin post saw and has not varied in over 10 years.

[@PeterSosinski]

Appreciate this. Thanks

[@63256325N]

Thanks for the video.

[@carlrimaitis9746]

Thankyou this helped alot, cheers.

[@baggd65]

Great video, thanks.

[@ronk6117]

Did the supervisor show you how to do that

[@bcbloc02]

He was asleep. :-)

[@tomk3732]

One should not ignore the minimum material thickness for the tooth count. I tried to cheat by using multiple think angle iron. Well, didn't end up well, angle iron got flying through the shop and the blade lost many teeth in multiple places :( Cutting thicker material with high count blade is possible but takes forever. Increasing downward feed either gets the blade stuck in the material or cuts a nice curve. One thing to mention would be correct blade tension - how much exactly? I seem to just go by feel as in "feels sturdy" enough but is there a bit more scientific way?

[@bcbloc02]

I always tighten my blade as tight as I can get it by hand. The looser it is the more prone to wonder.

[@o0ThunderGod0o]

So..... Running a 10tpi band at 350 feet per minute and dropping it like a guillotine won't work?

[@bcbloc02]

Maybe once!

[@486kyle]

5000 FPM and up, google yourself some "friction sawing" it's pretty interesting.

[@krazziee2000]

thanks for the lesson,,

[@Pavinsteelman]

Found Strarrett has the best blades , DoAll are also good .

[@o0ThunderGod0o]

john suckoe weld mine out of starret roll stock all the time 👍🏻

[@bcbloc02]

I have had good luck with the starretts too, I think the blade I have on the saw now is a Lennox RX and it has really lasted a long time. Normally because I cut so much random stuff I loose blades to missing teeth, this one has really done good, could be just because of what I have been cutting lately though.

[@jnelson4765]

Good to know I'm not the only one losing blade teeth to doing a bunch of random cuts - once I get the big DoAll I got fixed up I can put some proper heavy stock blades on it. Didn't know you could lose teeth from clogging the blade gullets...

[@486kyle]

I like your big stiff Johnson... Saw. :P Good points on the blade tooth set tracking, and feed pressure. Without controlled feed, there's no way to consistently cut straight. Gravity against a spring just don't do it.

[@stefantrethan]

I made a feed mechanism with an oil cylinder, but actually removed it again and went back to spring pressure. The oil cylinder did not offer consistent feed either, because the sink rate depends on pressure (weight on the cylinder) just as much. Also, even with a one way relief valve, I found it more difficult to open the saw. Overall it offered little improvement in the cut quality and made the previously nimble saw way more cumbersome to use, so away it went. I think one would need some metered oil throughput, maybe with a pump, to get really consistent feed. But then, what for? It is perfectly fine to cut thin parts faster than wide ones, and with an even feed rate the pulling force will still vary according to cut length. In short, nothing is perfect, and I have given up and deemed the stock spring mechanism good enough.

[@486kyle]

A real saw will indeed use a very small displacement pump on the band wheel drive to achieve a consistent feed per tooth. Feed pressure and force and all that mean nothing, what you need to control is the bite each tooth takes. That's how they can cut thin stock with a 7 TPI blade, controlled feed rate.

[@stefantrethan]

But doesn't that mean the gullet leaves virtually empty on thin sections, when it is set up so the widest part of the cut just fills it completely? I can see the advantages, but it also has a tendency to slow the cut down to the lowest common denominator, no?

[@TheBackyardMachineShop]

Where's Baily, I have a Johnson I need to get up and running

[@bcbloc02]

He was asleep on the couch.

[@CompEdgeX2013]

Ha my old beater is beyond that...!! Still cuts ok though.. New one in the future.

[@bcbloc02]

Looking forward to seeing it! About time for some frozen note videos from you!

[@CompEdgeX2013]

Not frozen today...56F here...liking it. Different story next week I bet.. :-)

[@joesteele9480]

That looks just like my saw.

[@daveanderson2316]

Did you say "stiff Johnson"?:)

[@tomkrause62]

He did...

[@doublebulbing]

you need to be like AVE and make a t shirts with a line drawing of the saw and bailey and have him saying "That's a mighty big Johnson" or something like that

[@oldschool6345]

Mercy.. you could make a whole other video just about the big johnson jokes lol. Sensationalize the title, maybe get enough views to get some designer winter gear for bailey eh?

[@lewiemcneely9143]

MIne does pretty good till my arm gives out then I just beat it to death. Baily approved this from a warm place I betcha!

[@bcbloc02]

Invest in a torch. :-)

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I'm a poor hillbilly and the hammer is paid for!

[@jschoenly]

I have a Big Johnson just like this! And it's for sale! ;) (That's legal right?). Seriously, I have one of these saws I'm looking to sell in SE Pennsylvania if anyone is looking for one!

[@ShawnColorado]

Congratulations Brian on having a super stiff Johnson. Your a lucky man....

[@bcbloc02]

Yeah but the ladies are luckier. lol

[@ShawnColorado]

bcbloc02 Great reply! My wife and I got a good chuckle out of that one. On a serious note thanks for the great and informative video. Glad to see you have a good sense of humor.

[@dougchristopher2072]

1st

[@somebodyelse6673]

Congratulations! What did you win?