Initial Blade Tracking - Grizzly G0948 Owner's Manual

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.
Bandsaw wheels are either flat or crowned and
both shapes track differently. The G0948 has
crowned wheels. As the wheels spin, a properly
tracking blade naturally tracks at the center of the
wheel (see Figure 20).
PROPER TRACKING
Blade
Wheel
Centered
on Wheel
Figure 20. Blade centered on crown of wheel.
The bandsaw wheels must be aligned for optimal
machine performance. Properly aligned wheels
are parallel and coplanar (see Figure 21).
Improper blade tension and cutting practices can
negatively affect blade tracking. Familiarizing
yourself with the ideas and conditions described
in Figure 21 will help you recognize when your
wheel alignment may need to be adjusted (refer to
Aligning Wheels on Page 53 for detailed instruc-
tions on adjusting the tracking).
-20-
Blade Centered
on Wheel
Parallel And
Coplanar
Coplanar But
Not Parallel
Figure 21. Wheel alignment and misalignment
examples.
The wheels on the G0948 were aligned at the fac-
tory, so center tracking is the only adjustment that
needs to be performed when the saw is new. This
adjustment is necessary before turning the saw
on or performing other adjustments.
Model G0948 (Mfd. Since 08/21)
or
Parallel But Not
Coplanar
Not Coplanar or
Parallel