Setting up your Band Saw, Episode 5, the 15" General

In episode 5 Rob reviews the General 15" with all its nice features. The bulk of this video is setting up the saw with a new blade, how to clean the wheels, how to set the tension, how to adjust the guides and finally a look at how well it cuts. Rob throws in some blade recommendations as well;
Mike at Woodworkers Haven 519-884-5401 or 519-634-5179
Starrett Blades www.starrett.c...
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[@johncarlson8472]

When doing my final set up I always like to raise the guide and put a square on the table along the side of the blade to make sure the table is plum and has a 90 degree angle to the blade. There is a table stop under the table on the frame side that can be adjusted up or down and then locked in place. I also run the saw and hold a sharpening stone against the back edge on both corners of the blade to round over the back of blade slightly. I also remove the welding bump if there is one. It seems to make it easier to make tighter corners. Love your show. I always learn lots from watching you. Thanks for another great video.

[@charleswray5772]

Charlie Wray excellent tutorial on the general. I have a 490 that i stopped using because i could never get it to track well and it was not good for resawing green wood. I may bring it back in to the wood shop and play with it. Thanks for all you are doing for our wounded warriors thru your PHP.

[@steve6139]

Alex Snodgrass from Carter recommends removing the table to adjust the guides. Seems to help for me.

[@shofarsogood7504]

Looks like a friend Jeff too hah! Thanks Rob love the show.

[@npreschel]

Great instructional and needed video. Thanks a lot

[@brucewelty7684]

You just gave me an idea to mount the blade! I need about 5 hands to do that job. SOOooo SPRING CLAMPS!

[@shofarsogood7504]

The simple ideas that seem to not hit us…. I like that idea too nice!

[@MrGunner296]

last comment / question Rob: I'm looking forward to your next episode on ripping and re-sawing. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to get my 17" band saw to cut/track parallel to the miter slot. I even went so far as to buy a really expensive 1" "resaw king" blade and followed various "expert" tips on this issues. Nothing seems to work -- kerf wants to track 3-4 degrees off parallel. Basically I am free-handing my re-sawing efforts now -- not a terrible outcome, but would prefer to rely on a accurate, tall rip fence. THANKS!

[@jimweisgram9185]

Try adjusting the top wheel tilt. If the tilt is too forward or too back the blade will twist on its downward track. Check it by ripping a straight piece of wood along the fence until the back piece of the wood is even with the back of the blade. If everything is tracking the kerf will have an equal gap on either side of the blade and it will reach without adjusting the fence.

[@MrGunner296]

@@jimweisgram9185 how about email me direct Jim. [e-mail]

[@leehaelters6182]

Tom, if you have tried different blades, and get a consistent difference with the miter gauge slot, consider if the table is simply askew. I would loosen the trunnions and twist it a trifle, hoping that the bolt holes are properly oversized enough to allow.

[@MrGunner296]

Lee Haelters yeah good point. No I have only used the one the one (overpriced) resaw king.

[@spacesaverbob]

Hm, that's curious. My 490 came with blocks, that I almost immediately replaced with "cool blocks". I don't have the fancy orange painted wheels either. I did add a piece of abs as a better means of trapping sawdust after watching Rob (Thanks Rob!) show an example of such a thing on one of his saws. Works great.

[@MrGunner296]

i'll keep logging in everyday JUST to see Rob's latest doo

[@robertbattle9011]

Great video series!

[@VAXHeadroom]

And now I'm looking for vintage bandsaws on the internet... :D

[@Quagmire88]

I have been using timberwolf bandsaw blades for years. I really like them.

[@ronklein8975]

Rob. Love this series. For the dirty tire on this band saw, Lee Valley has a tire brush Item 86N5002, for $9.50 (DAD). I've used one on my saw for years and it works a treat.

[@XCTDEV]

Awesome! thumb up! Thanks.

[@joegrimes6485]

Thank you sir this video answered a few questions I had while trying to tune up my saw . Just picked up one of those starrett blades . Works awesome thanks again for the info

[@dtalbott2]

Informative! Thanks for the weld bump tip.

[@davidbenson8122]

love my 15" general bandsaw best one I have owned

[@fatdogslow8011]

The only bandsaw I own is an extremely cheap 10" SIP. I was given it. Never used it. But im going to try set it up and see what it can do. Hopefully I will get a proper one eventually.

[@jerrybowers3158]

Thanks Rob! Very helpful information indeed! Now, after watching you since your KZbin debut i

[@billlay4815]

I can't get past the pompadour!!! (Thanks so much for doing these vids Rob!)

[@paulkarch3318]

This was so informative. Thank you very much for this great video.

[@jakematic]

Great series, very informative. Thanks!

[@unitwoodworking5403]

Your skill is great, so I can't stop watching it , I wait for next thing~~

[@jeffdutton1910]

nice new coif Rob.

[@stevesteves8915]

When you see how long it takes to change a blade, you understand why people have as many bandsaws as they can fit in their shop!

[@barryblack6423]

Thanks for the vid... guess I need more band saws.

[@bottledo1]

in have the identical saw problem is when I tighten the thumb screw of the role blades it forces the right guide into the blade and I can keep the roller away from the blade

[@timdoyon1964]

Hey Rob! Tim from Oklahoma here.. gotta question for you. Should you ever lubricate parts of the bandsaw, like the wheels or guides? It seems like they could benefit from some oil, (unless any got on a tire and caused the blade to slip). That would be a disaster!

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Just a dust magnet, no.

[@calvinh208]

I've had good luck putting the back of the gullet of the blade in the center of the wheel instead of centering the blade. This may be the same location on thinner blades, but it puts the teeth just forward of the wheel center. It doesn't want to wander either way anymore. On wider blades especially if the whole blade is centered instead of at the gullet, the front hangs off the tire's arch and can therefore get pushed easier. Who cares if there is blade in the back suspended slightly off the tire.

[@SteifWood]

*"I could need a headlight?"* Since you didn't unplug the saw (hmmmm!) you could have used the lamp ..... given they were wired together in some way.

[@martindesrosiers3880]

Hello Rob, I have a 490 band saw and needed to remove the upper wheel to change the bearing. In doing so I taught the 3/4 nut had to be removed clock wise... so I strip the inside thread of either the nut or bolt or both. Any idea on how to remove the nut? The nut now turns both sides and has no grip anymore on the bolt. Thank you for your prompt response.

[@southeastohiooutdoor]

I recently installed a starret blade and was really surprised especially for the price

[@freetogo6901]

Hi. I just bought one of these and glad to see ur videos. A question I'm wondering about is do you release blade tension after use and if so how often? Thanks

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

I leave my ready to use. I suppose if it was being used a few weekends a month it would make sense but I have never been in that situation.

[@freetogo6901]

@@RobCosmanWoodworking Thanks. That's good to know.

[@billedis5482]

Wouldn't it be easier to remove the table when putting in a new blade or adjusting an old on to allow better access to the lower guides? Thanks, love all the information.

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

For the video yes but too much work for a blade change.

[@leehaelters6182]

Bill Edis, criminy, what a pain in the butt that would be. Blades are changed or adjusted quite often. I think just don’t buy a saw that those cheesy afterthought guides that are difficult to adjust.

[@frankwice4864]

Thank you very much I have an old 15in general that was passed down to me from my dad. It has never worked to my expectations . Maybe now I will get it running up to snuff. Are your guides after market as mine are original and not at all the same as those . Are they by any chance carters. Thanks for the great information

[@EvulDali]

There seems to be a constant bass sound in some of your videos. It makes them feel like something really bad is about to happen. Like a zombie attack or something. Very tense. Never been so scared to watch a bandsaw blade change!

[@frossm]

What is the brand of the air hose nozzle you use. I know in your workshops you talk about how much you like it and I'm in the market for one. Thanks....loving the series.

[@jeffreycaperton2464]

This General seems very similar to my old Powermatic PM141, do you know if one was produced to compete with the other? More out of curiosity than anything.....very useful video considering how similar the two saws are built.

[@atzmonkosovsky9683]

Great new hair style. you look much younger

[@MrGunner296]

Rob, I notice you cut out the handle essentially right on your line. Is your template slightly over-sized, or is the off the saw finish with that blade good enough that very little additional material is removed when you finish/smooth it?

[@tonylenge424]

Great set of videos. You mentioned a couple of times that you do not release the tension on the blade unless you change it. So I guess I can leave the tension as is which is good because it is a nuisance to do so? Please let me know . Thanks

[@leehaelters6182]

Tony Lenge, never in any shop I have worked in did we loosen and re-tension the bandsaws daily.

[@tonylenge424]

Thanks

[@tokyojoe507]

Rob, I purchase a used 590 about 10 years ago and was able to get parts from General, so I have a complete set of all the replacement parts I needed including heads where one set has bearings, and one has Blocks. I was told that I purchased the last band saw fence they had in stock. I started a refirb on the unit when I bought it, and had to put it aside to look after my aging parents. but I have started putting it together, and have a question for you. I see you have plastic knobs for both the blade guard and blade tensioning. I have the old aluminum knobs and can't get them off. Do the knobs you have on the saw have a regular thread, a Left hand thread, or are the press fit? I appreciate your assistance

[@ChristIsLord229]

Rob doesnt believe the gullet should be dead center?

[@chrisflaccus1374]

In your opinion, what are the best bandsaw guides available. I have an Italian 20” bandsaw with “European” guides, and I’ve not been happy with them. I’ve tried the roller bearings from Carter, and not happy with them either. Any suggestions?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Cool blocks, simple.

[@Finewoodworkingofsc]

What brand light do you use on your bandsaws?

[@andyboybennett]

Light! Can't see the guides as you're adjusting them.

[@FixNewsPlease]

🇨🇦 Robertson screws. Canadian fasteners are far superior.

[@timmorris1246]

Where would you look for a good used bandsaw?

[@RobCosmanWoodworking]

Craig’s list, industrial auctions, govt surplus

[@perrymercier4549]

I have a General 490 I bought back in the late 90's and the only thing I really made w/ it was a sofa table w/ french country legs. I've been considering selling it, but haven't come up w/ a price. Barely used, like new!!

[@FixNewsPlease]

You actually want the gullet of the blade running on centre of the wheels, not the blade itself.

[@jerrybowers3158]

Oops..this is the continuation of the comment below. I Have a request. Please Do a video and tell us how you stay so healthy. Health is a very important part of our woodworking not only now but always.

[@paulhayton3423]

I acually need a haircut, remind me not to call Geoff.

[@Jay-qq7so]

How much are these to buy? Thx

[@perrymercier4549]

I have one like new condition I bought in the late 90's I was considering selling.

[@anthonymoraes3251]

My wife is a hairdresser and says you look great.

[@fab0398]

what's that noise in the background?

[@TheVimeo]

second!

[@richardc6932]

When you mentioned that you hadn’t unplugged the saw prior to this demo, I wondered just how many other machines you work on with the same procedure. This is a cardinal sin when working on machinery.Unplugging the machine as well as the use of proper safety glasses and dust mask especially when using compressed air should always be stressed to your viewers. On another note, why not install the lamp on the backside of the saw and away from the operator’s face?

[@woohoo6669991]

Now I know just how cheaply made made Delta is.

[@leehaelters6182]

Russian Spy, these days, no argument. But the greatest feature ever on small bandsaws was the tool-less guide adjusters top and bottom on the earlier saws. Full adjustability (well, ‘cept kerf clearance), even without bending down to take a look at the lower, even while the saw runs. Saves a ton of time.

[@chucknelson4556]

Rob go back to the old hairstyle.

[@TH-ot9ef]

It’s hard to take you seriously with that hair. Just sayin’. :)