Mastering Bandsaw Tuning: Expert Tips from Alex Snodgrass for Precision Performance and Smooth Cuts

[@paulwright6961]

Mr. Snodgrass, I want to thank you for going in-depth and giving reasoning for why you set the saw up the way you do. I've spent 30 years in different disciplines of manufacturing, and I've always been tasked with teaching what I've learned. The way that you take time to explain the minute details (such as how heat damages the teeth of the blade) is invaluable. Excellent tutorial sir!

[@DidierFrippiat]

That was fantastic, thank you for those simple explanations. Blacktail Studio recommended your video and boy was he right.

[@davnunn1]

Really helpful.. thanks

[@giwrgossoiles3536]

He has the right belly for a woodworker. You can trust this guy for sure 👍 It’s like a diploma

[@Uswesi1527]

Indeed, very important instructions. Operating any machine safely and properly is a “ MUST “ .

[@philshock3805]

Thank you for your skill and knowledge. I bought a used 14 in Rigid bandsaw almost 10 years ago for $75. It was badly neglected, lots of surface rust and the top wasn't even tightened down. I took care of all that, replaced the rubber tires with neoprene, put in some new guides (cool guides), and purchased a new blade. With your fantastic set up demo from that old woodworking show video ("Band Saw Clinic with Alex Snodgrass" from 12 yrs ago), my bandsaw ran like a champ ... and still does to this day! Glad to see you give a refresher to newer woodworkers. I cringe every time I hear a tool company recommend tracking the blade in the center!

[@hansmortensen5668]

Mind blown on the pivot point, that makes so much sense.

[@moonolyth]

Exelent Sir!!!❤

[@HouseDoctorRay]

Just got my first bandsaw. This explains how and more importantly why adjustments are made.

[@davidwsteadman]

I've always struggled to get a straight cut trying to mill with my bandsaw. Now I know why! I'm getting immediately better results following the steps in this video.

[@michaelbezoski3096]

Perfect video for us less than perfect band saw users. Thank you for the knowledge it took years to perfect (unless you worked for an older Master Wood Worker). Plus you just made using the saw safer. Excellent, subscribed.

[@dw_carvings]

Best video I've ever seen explaining bandsaw tuning, and I've watched a ton lol. Thank you!!!

[@JLJCoastersPlus]

great infomation thanks, just what i needed.

[@EricHollister-e3l]

This is great. Thank you so much for sharing. I know I’m be making those adjustments today!

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

I found your video from Blacktail studio. Thank you for a great information video.

[@helder4u]

Perfect. 🤔🙃🤩

[@across8339]

This is superb and perfect timing as my bandsaw has more drift than a Japanese b-movie on fast forward!

[@johnlivsey4146]

Excellent info. Thanks

[@shaynerushton214]

Just a thought. If the table isn’t square, then you have to use a square to fix it. Your test is great if it is square. Not saying it would be impossible to figure it out, but it would have been great to see how you handle a table that wasnt square.

[@rustydegeorge5726]

Being fairly new to woodworking, and particularly the bandsaw, I found this information incredibly helpful! I have a Rikon 10” 10-3061 bandsaw and will use this video to fine tune my setup. Wish I had a Woodcraft closer to where I live!!!

[@Sageofthedustypage]

That was really good.

[@Stoeckermann]

Any recommendations If the wheel ist Not crowned?

[@guyedkins3200]

Alex, great stuff! Well done. I found that finding the "true" crown of tire can be a bit of guess to set the gullet just right. I used a good old fashioned ball point pen on bright orange urethane tire set dead center of the tire and spun the wheel. Viola, instant alignment line to get the blade spot on every time!

[@glennchaffin8446]

Great video Alex. I just got my new Rikon 10-3061 table top band saw and I plan to build a rolling cart for it. My question is what is the ideal working height for a bandsaw like mine? Thanks again for posting this setup video.

[@socketman]

That last cut was amazing. I tried to rip a 2x4 in half and it drifted so badly that it cut it in half diagonally. I couldn't imagine actually doing a straight cut on my bandsaw, so I only ever use it for small things where the cut is so short there's not time to drift. So thank you, this is great, I can't wait to go tune my bandsaw and actually get some good use out of it.

[@davidgagnon2849]

A month later...... how is your bandsaw cutting now?

[@ksojoel]

two months later... have you succeeded at tuning your bandsaw?

[@thomasanderson2248]

Hi Alex i love your videos most helpful always. Now do you have a video o the wrack and pinion maintenance as mine has a little bit of side movement as it goes up and down pushing the blade over a bit. I would love your advice please . Thank you.

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Boy, you know your stuff Alex. Thanks for sharing. 🇦🇺👴🏻

[@chrisweigand1817]

I have used your videos countless time to help me but this is the first time I didn't get my answer. I am installing a 1 1/4" resew king on my laguna 18bx and am unable to get the blade in the correct position with the deepest part of the gullet at the crown of the wheel. the blade is to wide and rubs on the back. I am sure there is a solution for this I just can't find it.

[@GeraldJensen]

Great advice ... never have seen such a thorough bandsaw setup video. Thanks Alex! Off the subject ... are you a Bulldogs, Packers, or Grambling fan? Couldn't help but notice that belt buckle, and would love to have one like it (I live in Green Bay!).

[@andersnelson6888]

Band saw? might as well be called an Alex Snodgrass saw

[@WoodcraftSupply]

Not a bad idea.

[@kenhorner4023]

Alex, I have two questions. (1) I assume the guide bearing setups are the same for the bearings under the table, correct? and (2) You started by saying the lower wheel was already set, but never spoke about any tuneup actions down there. Are we to generally ignore the need to tune the blade to the lower wheel? Thanks.

[@kiukle]

How do we find the center of the wheel since it's not marked? Looks like my wheel (the yellow band part) is 27mm, so do I just estimate a guess of 13.5mm and hope for the best?

[@hwmbo727]

What about tire placement? I just replaced the worn-out 20 year-old tires on my Genereal 90-150M and the machine vibrates even more than before. The new urethane tires are just a bit narrower than the wheels. I've tried to pull sections of the tires so they are as consistent as possible, but that's a challenge. Any suggestions?

[@ricks2936]

If your putting in a 1 inch blade it doesn’t seem possible to center the gullet. Can you suggest a depth for a larger blade

[@dslboysc1]

I just bought some trouble a Delta 18” with two knobs for blade tracking. The manual is no help. It just says turn both knobs equal amounts.. Great! That’s real help full. Nothing about both clockwise or counterclockwise, or one clockwise and other counterclockwise. Or hints on turns to track the blade forward or backwards. Can anyone help haven’t found a video with two adjustments knobs?

[@danav4810]

Place, can you activate the automatic translation for your vidéos, so I can good understand what you explain. Thanks

[@WoodcraftSupply]

It is activated.

[@danav4810]

​@@WoodcraftSupply sorry but not the possibilité to translate in a other language 😢

[@WoodcraftSupply]

@@danav4810 I'm very sorry, I can see the auto translate button on my end. I'm not sure how to fix it. I will look into it more.

[@danav4810]

@@WoodcraftSupply I test it today and I can translate the vidéo in French Thanks

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

Yeah, I get the concept yet what I dont get is why bandsaw manufactures (just got me a Laguna) don't recommend such a set up. I set up the blade per the manual, and the blade (3/4" Resaw King) is cutting dead flat boards. Yes, blade tension at teeth = better tracking in theory, but are blades engineered to operate that way? Per manuals, tension is centred on the blade. Your recco puts all the tension on the edge. There's gotta be more to the story.

[@HardcoreWoodworking]

How else are bandsaw blade makers gonna make money if everyone sets their blades up right?

[@robertbaldwin2779]

At 3:43, you say “anything less than that ….” Don’t you mean more?