Blade Tracking; Blade Tension - Grizzly G1012 Instruction Manual

Blade Tracking

There are two ways to track a bandsaw blade:
Center Tracking and Coplanar Tracking.
Center Tracking is the fastest and easiest, but not
the most precise.
Center Tracking:
1. Disconnect the bandsaw from the power
source!
2.
Adjust the upper and lower guide blocks and
support bearings away from the blade.
Remove the upper wheel cover.
3.
Adjust blade tension to how it will be used
during operation.
4.
Loosen the tracking control lock nut. Turn
the tracking control knob clockwise/counter-
clockwise while turning the upper wheel by
hand until the blade stays centered on the
wheel.
5.
Spin the upper wheel by hand at least three
times to ensure that the blade stays cen-
tered. If the blade does not stay centered, re-
adjust as necessary.
6.
Tighten the tracking control lock nut and
replace the upper wheel cover.
For the best performance from your saw, regular-
ly maintain proper tracking of the blade.
For Coplanar Tracking, see the "Wheel
Alignment" instructions.
Be careful when turning the band wheels by
hand. The aluminum spokes may have
sharp edges and the blade teeth may extend
beyond the edge of the wheel.
G1012 18" Bandsaw

Blade Tension

To adjust the tension:
1.
Loosen the upper and lower guide blocks
and raise the upper guide block as high as it
will go.
3.
With moderate tension already on the blade,
turn the bandsaw ON.
4.
Release the tension one quarter of a turn at
a time. Do this very slowly. When you see
the bandsaw blade start to flutter, stop
decreasing the tension.
5.
Now, slowly increase the tension until the
blade stops fluttering. Tighten the tension
one more quarter of a turn.
6.
Look at what the tension gauge reads and
use that as a guide for tensioning your blade
in the future.
If the tension seems correct, turn the bandsaw
OFF and make the other adjustments, and test
run. If the blade does not cut properly, the tension
may be incorrect. Re-adjust the tension. New
blades often stretch with use. However, removing
the tension from the blade when not in use will
reduce stretching and extend your blade life.
-21-