Blade Lead - Grizzly G0513 Series Owner's Manual

Blade Lead

"Blade Lead" means that the blade does not cut
straight when using the fence or miter gauge (see
Figure 105). This is a common condition with all
bandsaws. Worn or damaged blades may cause
lead, and replacing them will fix the problem. Still,
if your bandsaw is set up correctly and blade lead
occurs, compensate for it by skewing the fence.
Another solution is to install a drift bar on the resaw
fence to create a pivot point that will provide more
control during resaw operations (see Pages 55 &
57 for more details).
Figure 105. Example of blade leading away from
line of cut.
Correcting Blade Lead
1.
Ensure blade is properly tensioned (see
Tensioning Blade on Page 32).
2.
Ensure blade guides are adjusted correctly
(see Adjusting Blade Guides on Page 35).
3.
Ensure miter slot and fence are parallel to
blade (see Aligning Table on Page 38 and
Aligning Fence on Page 39.
4. Perform test cut with bandsaw, using less
pressure when feeding workpiece through cut.
— If there is still blade lead present, com-
pensate for this condition by skewing
the fence, as instructed in the following
procedure.
G0513 Series Bandsaws (Mfd. Since 08/22)
Skewing Fence
1.
Cut a straight and parallel wood board
approximately ⁄ " thick x 3" wide x 16" long.
3
4
Tip: Cut your board out of a new piece
of ⁄ " plywood, using a tablesaw. The
3
4
straight "factory edge" of the plywood will
ensure accuracy during the following steps.
Alternatively, you can use a jointer and table-
saw to straighten a piece of scrap wood.
2.
On wide face of board, draw a straight line
parallel to long edge, similar to layout line
shown in Figure 105.
3.
Slide fence out of the way and cut along lay-
outline halfway through board. Turn bandsaw
OFF and wait for blade to stop. Do not move
board.
4.
Clamp board to bandsaw table, then slide
fence over to board so it barely touches one
edge of board.
5.
Loosen the four fence adjustment cap screws
to left of fence face (see Figure 106), skew
fence so it is parallel with wood board, con-
tacting it evenly along its length, then tighten
cap screws.
Figure 106. Location of fence adjustment cap
screws (G0513X2 shown).
6.
Finish cut using fence.
— If blade lead is still present, repeat Steps
1–5 until cutting results are satisfactory.
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