Vertical Bandsaw Introduction

This page is INCOMPLETE and still missing some important information before it can be used as a resource. Please use the "Discussion" feature above or talk to one of the tutors if you would like to help improve it. Thanks!

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This is the content required for an introduction to our bandsaws - reading this does NOT replace the mandatory session with a tutor! It will make it a lot quicker though ;-)

Let's begin! First off, make sure you have read the machine's manual (see respective "InfoBox" on the machine page).

Safety

Dangers

• ENTANGLEMENT HAZARD!
• sharp, quickly moving blade that is only held in place by its own tension
• small splinters can fly towards the operator

Precautions

• wear personal protection
  • definitely goggles and ear defenders!
  • dust mask: depending on the material you are cutting - SPECIAL CAUTION when working with toxic woods (e.g. Eiche, Esche, Eibe, Buche, Buchsbaum)
  • gloves: make an informed decision (as with the table saw)
    • some sources say you should wear them to protect yourself against splinters which could surprise you and make your hand flinch in a dangerous position
    • others prohibit the use of gloves as your entire hand could be dragged into the blade if one gets caught
• do not wear loose clothing or jewellery and keep long hair under a hairnet or in a tight bun
• NEVER use without installed safeguard
• before servicing, adjusting or cleaning the machine ALWAYS unplug the saw and wait for the blade to grind to a halt

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• check bandsaw for foreign particles
• check the blade for cracks and make sure that the teeth are pointing downwards
• Adjust blade: tensioning the blade by turning the tighting-screw. The numbers on the chart shows the width of the blade (the thicker the blade the tighter the tension, what a sentence...). Observe if the blade is lying in the middle of the pulley.
• Adjust blade-guide: Guide-pins should touch, not press, the blade but should'nt touch the saw-teeth. Leaf an 0,5-1mm gap to the back roller. Repeat this with the lower guide-unit.
• Lower the blade guard as close as possible down to the workpiece.
• Hold ready the parallel fence, push stick and a jig/wedge when sawing round workpieces

Suggested Reading

Besides these safety notes, you should read <...>

Demonstration

The tutor will show you these steps in detail:

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