Adjustment Overview; Initial Blade Tracking - Grizzly G0817 Owner's Manual

Adjustment
Overview
The bandsaw is one of the most versatile wood-
working machines. However, it has multiple com-
ponents that must be properly adjusted for the
best cutting results.
For practical and safety reasons, some adjust-
ments and test operations must be performed
before performing other necessary adjustments.
Below is an overview of all the adjustments and
the order in which they should be performed:
1.

Initial Blade Tracking

2.
Test Run
3.
Tension Blade
4.
Adjusting Blade Support Bearings
5.
Adjusting Blade Guide Bearings
6.
Table Tilt Calibration
7.
Aligning Table
8.
Aligning Fence
Initial Blade Tracking
"Tracking" refers to how the blade rides on the
bandsaw wheels. Proper tracking is important
for maintaining bandsaw adjustments, achiev-
ing correct blade tension, and cutting accurate-
ly. Improper tracking reduces cutting accuracy,
causes excess vibrations, and places stress on
the blade and other bandsaw components. The
shape of the wheels and the orientation of the
wheels in relation to each other determine how
the blade tracks.
Model G0817 (Mfd. Since 05/16)
Bandsaw wheels are either flat or crowned and
both shapes track differently. This bandsaw has
crowned wheels. As the wheels spin, a properly
tracking blade naturally tracks at the center of the
wheel (see Figure 36).
PROPER TRACKING
Blade
Wheel
Centered
on Wheel
Figure 36. Blade centered on crown of wheel.
Blade tracking is primarily affected by the tilt of
the upper wheel, known as "center tracking."
However, the alignment of both wheels plays an
important part as well (see Wheel Alignment on
Page 66 for more details).
The wheels on this bandsaw were aligned at the
factory, so center tracking is the only adjustment
that needs to be checked/performed when the
saw is new.
Serious personal injury can
occur if the machine starts
while your hand is touch-
ing the bandsaw wheel dur-
ing tracking adjustments.
Disconnect power from the
bandsaw before performing
blade tracking adjustments.
Blade Centered
on Wheel
-25-