Buffalo bandsaw issue

[STGFordCrazy04]

Hey guys,

Ive got a '82 model Buffalo 4x6 bandsaw Im having some trouble keeping the blade on. Ive owned it maybe 5years or so now (talked a little old lady at a yard sale down from $20 to 15 ) but have only recently began to have problems. Over the course of the past few years Ive gone through maybe 10 HF bimetal blades. At the end of their life the blade would randomly jump off but nothing I would call a regular basis and very tolerable. About 2 months ago I took it off its cheap, thin gauge stand and mounted it to a 16x36 two door metal cabinet on casters. I cant say its been any cause but it seems its about the same time the problem began. Ive tried a new HF blade as well as 2 different new Starrett blades all with similar results. Its constantly coming off and sometimes jumps under no load at all. I dont see the frame or associated parts being racked by a couple 5/16 bolts on a tool cabinet so otherwise Im at a loss.


Any ideas?



Heres an internet pic of the model saw with the stand I removed. It looks just like a Jet, Grizzly or any of the other Chinese 4x6 bandsaws.

Ill post some pics of my saw if anyone is interested.

 

[Keep]

I would take everything off and check the wheels. If they get all gummed up with metal bits it can cause the blades to jump.

Also a good time to really check things out and see if anything is loose, like a bearing.

 

[cnc-me]

Check the bearings if it has them, some of them have bushings.
The top wheel on mine didn't have either, it was just steel against cast iron.
I re-machined the hole to take a bushing with a grease zerk, and while
I was at it I re-machined the outside of the top wheel, could not believe
how well the blade stays on now. Have had good luck with Irwin bi-metal
blades from Enco, they really do make a difference, you can run the saw as
fast as it will go on steel. Try reducing your down pressure and increase your blade tension.

PS: I like how you "fixed" your stand those things are so flimsy.
Went to move mine one day and the thing folded right up, and while it was on its
way down, it cut the **** out of my fingers.
See you have the belt guard off on yours too.
Welcome to the GJ.

 

[BDAZSVT]

mine is chinese but there is a adjustment bolt on the non drivr wheel that centers the blade on the wheel.Adjusting that kept mine from jumping off. The adjustment is made between the silver plates in the pics on this site.
http://www.mini-lathe.com/Bandsaw/Bandsaw.htm

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Blade tracking would be the first thing to check as mentioned above you can adjust it on the idler wheel. Next would be tension. You need a fair bit to keep the blade from slipping on the wheels which then causes it to come off. Thirdly would be the guide bearings. If they get too tight you can have them pinching the blade and causing it to slip on the wheel slightly.

 

[STGFordCrazy04]

Thanks guys. Ill check all this out and report back

 

[gus1962]

Check your blade specifications . Feed more slowly, I hope you don't push your saw to cut faster. Might be also the tires are well worn out and your band saw might not be properly set-up or adjusted.

 

[454ragtop]

There is a Yahoo group just for these saws, with lots of info on blade tracking.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4x6bandsaw/

 

[rsanter]

take the blade off and look for a worn part or a loose bearing or something like that
if that is not it then remove the blade guides and run the saw with the blade on it to see if it will jump. if it does not then reinstall the blade guides and back them way off and adjust from scratch. I have seen blade guides adjusted little by little over time till they are darn near pushing the blades off the wheels

bob