Craftsman 351.243951 Owner's Manual page 6

OPERATING iNSTRUCTiONS (Continued)
REMOVING BLADE
Refer to Figure 4,.
The 18" Band Saw is designed for convenient blade
changing. The table is provided with a slot which allows
the blade to be removed without disturbing the table.
Remove the stud so it will not obstruct removal of blade.
Loosen lever (Key Noo 17) which locks tracking knob
(Key No. t6).
Loosen blade tension by rotating handwheel (Key
No. 15)o
When removing blade be careful because blade may
spring from saw when tension is released. The released
blade can be removed and replaced with another blade,,
INSTALLING BLADE
To replace the blade, the table stud must be removed as
described in "Removing Blade" above.
Although many of the adjustments may not be altered
when the blade is removed, every adjustment should be
checked prior to using a newly installed blade,
Follow safety precautions which should be observed
every time the band saw is turned on,
Make sure the blade teeth are pointing in the correct
direction. Blade teeth must point down° Turn blade in-
side out if necessaryH
Center the blade on the blade wheel. Tension and track
the blade as described in the following sections.
NOTE: Do not use a new blade to complete a
previously started cut,
TENSIONING BLADE
Refer to Figure 4.
Tension blade by turning the handwheel (Key No. 15).
Be sure blade guides are not interfering with the path of
the blade.
Tighten blade until it is properly tensioned, A properly
tensioned blade will ring slightly when back of blade is
plucked, (Like a string on an instrument ,)
NOTE: CHECK THE TENSION OF A NEW BLADE.
ADDITIONAL TENSION MAY BE RE-
QUIRED AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF
OPERATION.
TRACKING BLADE
Refer To Figure 6.
Track the blade after it has been tensioned°
Proper tracking is achieved when drive wheel and idler
wheels are aligned,
The knob (Key No, 16) is used to tilt tracking bracket
(Key No. 6) and align blade wheels,
A change in tension of blade will affect wheel alignment
Turn idler wheel (Key No 4) by hand and observe how
blade rides on the wheels
If blade tends to ride out of the cabinet, turn knob
clockwise to tilt idler wheel up.
If blade tends to ride into the cabinet, turn tracking knob
counterclockwise to tilt idler wheel down,
When blade is tracking properly, lock the position by
holding the knob and tightening the lever (Key No,, 17)
against the cabinet.
ALIGNMENT OF DRIVE WHEEL
Refer to Figure 4.
A blade under high tension may also pull drive wheel out
of alignment.
Alignment of drive wheel can be adjusted with hex bolts
(Key No, 27),
Lock position with nuts (Key No. 28).
NOTE: Only attempt adjusting drive wheel align-
ment if blade cannot be properly tracked
with tracking adjustment alone.
BLADE GUIDES
Refer to Figure &
Blade guides support the band saw blade at sides and
the rear of blade. The blade guides should be adjusted
to prevent twisting and deflection of blade,
Blade guides should not touch blade when no material
or workpiece is in contact with the blade,. Guides need
to be adjusted as described below,,
UPPER BLADE GUIDES
Refer to Figure 6
The upper blade guides employ two ball bearing sets on
adjusting pins for side support and a thrust bearing on
an adjusting pin at the rear.
The guide depth bracket (Key No. 26) should be posi-
tioned so bearing on either side of blade will support as
much of blade width as possible without interfering with
the tooth set.,
Adjust guide depth bracket by loosening bolt (Key No,
11) and sliding bracket into position.
Secure position of upper guide casting by tightening
bolt, Adjust guide bearings to the side of the blade with
a hex wrench.
Use a feeler gauge to check that the bearing is about
0°002" away from the blade
Lock the adjustment by tightening the bolt and nut (Key
Nos,, 34 and 13).
Loosen handle (Key No. 23) and push adjusting pin to
set thrust bearings 04002" away from back of the blade,
Secure the position of the rear bearing by tightening
handle,
Adjust height of the upper guide bearings to clear the
workpiece by 1/4"
Loosen knob (Key No, !) and reposition rack within
guides,
Tighten knob to secure position on height adjustment
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