I never detension mine anymore. It has never seemed to make a difference on my tires.
I never detension mine anymore. It has never seemed to make a difference on my tires.
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This subject is one of the most debated/argued subjects here at SMC.
I detension mine. While constant tension may not damage the springs, I believe it does cause the rubber tires to become compressed in a small area and lead to premature wear and tracking problems.
So I detension saw but as David Weaver pointed out, I may go for several months without using my bandsaw but I should be using it later this week.
Frankly, I don't see the big argument against detensioning it. I can retension mine, check it's tracking and be using it in less than 60 seconds. If I'm in the middle of a project where I may be needing my bandsaw again, I will leave it tensioned.
Of course, I don't have a crown on my tires....as they are flat.
Flat vs crowned tires......and I don't glue my tires either....... next battles......
There is no right or wrong answer IMHO
Last edited by Ken Fitzgerald; 06-13-2011 at 9:22 AM.
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Flat spots on tires probably also depends upon the quality of the tire material. I use 1/4" blades on my 1964(purchased used) Delta 14",and never have had a problem with flat spots or grooves in the tires. I think there are too many variables in springs,materials,etc. to give a definitive answer. I just don't want my wife,who doesn't mix with machines well,to start up my slacked off bandsaw and make a mess out of it.
And I don't happen to think it's any more complicated than that.
At the gym (no, I don't go, but I HAVE gone ), there's an unwritten rule: don't correct another person's technique, unless you KNOW it's going to cause them HARM.
I don't care if you de-tension your band saw blade or not. I may voice my opinion, but ... to state it as if it Came Down From The Mountain -- one way or the other -- to me ... well ... I dunno. I don't see the point in it.
My wife doesn't use power tools so that's not a problem.
George, I am using an Italian made bandsaw and I hope the quality of material is good as I paid for good quality.
One of the biggest problems people have with getting a bandsaw to function correctly deals with proper tensioning of a blade. Too loose well, it'll drift and cut curved surfaces. Too tight?....probably just compress the tires too much and put too much pressure on the smaller parts in the tensioning portion of the machine. I doubt you will see a difference in cut with too much blade tension if all other variables remaining constant. My point is that detensioning takes the pressure of those smaller parts that are in fact, high failure items in bandsaws. I just fail to see how detensioning a bandsaw creates any problems.
But...in the end....I think it's making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I don't think there is a right answer or a wrong answer. Do what's right for you.
I can assure you I will do what I want in my shop.
Ken
So much to learn, so little time.....
Tomato/tomato (that doesn't come out right when you write it). My name is Zahid and I am a detensioner
The means by which an end is reached must exemplify the value of the end itself.
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My name is Paul and I am not a detensioner.
I honestly think the detensioning levers are more a gimic than any thing. 1st company A did it then companey B felt they needed to. At 1st I bought into the dentensioning myth and tried to remember to do it. Ya right like that was going to happen. And when I did remember to flip the lever. I F'd up a couple of blades because I forgot to retension then. So now I just dont do it and have had no problems with either of my bandsaws. There are times the 14" goes months with out being used, and time the 19" goes months with out use. So I really dont think it is necessary.
And after a while the ride height will change. I managed to get a pair of springs for my 2004 Altima cheap (from a totaled wreck) which I put aside to change when I got to my third pair of shocks. I just changed the shocks and springs. What a difference it makes!
Do you have urethane tires on your car? Nope. Not a true comparison. I will say for your next car try some Polyester based tires. The tune will change. They flat spot in less than 48 hours. I have some on my RV the only vehicle that sits more than 2 days.
I de-tension when I remember. But them I forget to tension before I start the saw. May be I should follow the example of the fellow with the signs over the switches. On the other hand being an engineer, I'd rather have an interlock (switch and relay) that prevents me from turning on the saw when the tension lever is up.