Cutting Curves; Adjustments; Adjusting The Blade Tension - Delta 28-400 Instruction Manual

CUTTINg CURvES

Turn the stock carefully so that the blade follows
without twisting. For very abrupt curves, consider
using a narrower blade, or a blade with more set.
Another solution to this problem is to make relief cuts
(Figure 16)
When you withdraw the workpiece or change the cut,
be careful not to accidentally pull the blade off of the
wheels. The preference is to turn the stock and saw out
through the waste material.

AdjUSTINg ThE BLAdE TENSION

Disconnect the machine from the power
source before making any adjustments!
See Figure 17 (show set up as in sample to the
rightCaption: A standard blade should have
approximately 1/4" deflection on either side.)
Unless you have a tension meter, achieving optimum
blade tension is a matter of trial and error. There are a
number of suggested methods for achieving the proper
tension.
Most blade manufacturers recommend 15,000 psi to
20,000 psi for a common carbon-steel blade. Stronger
bimetal, spring-steel, and carbide-tipped blades
generally require 25,000 psi to 30,000 psi. The tighter
the blade is stretched, the more rigid it becomes and
the less tendency it will have to deflect in the cut.
It should be noted that maximum blade tension is
only required for the most demanding cuts, such as
re-sawing dense hardwoods or stock of maximum
thickness.
NOTE: DELTA ® Timber Wolf
recommended as they are designed to operate with
less tension, thus increasing their serviceable life.
Follow the tensioning directions on the package
To check and adjust the blade tension on your DELTA
14" Steel Frame Band Saw, do the following:
Disconnect the machine from the power
source before making any adjustments!
• Set the upper blade guide assembly about 6 in. off
the table.
• Use a moderate amount of pressure with your index
finger to push the blade sideways in both directions.
The blade should not deflect more than 1/4" in either
direction.
OPERATION

AdjUSTMENTS

® band saw blades are
®
• If the blade deflects more than 1/4", increase
the tension on the blade by tightening the blade
tensioning knob at the top of the machine (refer to B
in Figure 6, page 9).
• If the blade does not deflect at all, it may be too tight.
Loosen the blade tensioning knob slightly until there
is a minimal amount of deflection.
14
FIgURE 16
FIgURE 17