Blade Tension & Tracking - Grizzly G0561 Owner's Manual

Blade Tension &
Tracking
Proper blade tension is essential to long blade
life, straight cuts, and efficient cutting. The Model
G0561 features a blade tension indicator to assist
you with blade tensioning.
Two major signs that you do not have proper
blade tension are: 1) the blade stalls in the cut and
slips on the wheels, and 2) the blade frequently
breaks from being too tight.
Loosen blade tension at end of each day to
prolong blade life.
To tension blade on bandsaw:
1. Turn blade tension handle clockwise to ten-
sion blade.
2. Tension blade until blade tension guide indi-
cator is in green zone (see Figure 57).
Blade Tension Guide
Lower Hex Bolt
Figure 57. Blade tension controls.
Model G0561 (Mfd. Since 01/08)
Tracking Set
Screw
3. To fine tune blade tension, use a blade ten-
sioning gauge, like one found in SECTION 5:
ACCESSORIES on Page 36. Follow instruc-
tions included with your gauge and blade
manufacturer's recommendations on blade
tension.
The blade tracking has been properly set at
the factory. The tracking will rarely need to be
adjusted if the bandsaw is used properly.
To adjust blade tracking on bandsaw:
1.
DISCONNECT MACHINE FROM POWER!
2.
Position bandsaw in vertical position.
3.
Open wheel access cover.
4.
Loosen, but do not remove lower hex bolt in
blade wheel tilting mechanism.
5.
Relax blade tension.
6.
Adjust set screw with a 4mm hex wrench
(shown in Figure 57), then tighten hex bolt
loosened in Step 4.
—Tightening set screw will move blade clos-
er to shoulder of wheel.
—Loosening set screw will move blade away
from shoulder.
7.
Tension blade.
8. Reconnect machine to power and turn ON
bandsaw.
—If blade tracks along shoulder of wheel
(without rubbing), blade is tracking properly
and this adjustment is completed.
—If blade walks away from shoulder of wheel
or hits shoulder, repeat Steps 4-7 until
blade tracks properly.
9. Turn OFF bandsaw.
10. Replace blade guard and wheel access
cover.
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