bandsaw blade question

[J. Holden]

I have a smaller bandsaw (used to cut 1.5" stock at the biggest).  I'm not sure of the exact blade size (width and teeth per inch).  But I've noticed that when I use it the blade is not cutting straight up and down.  If that makes sense.  I recently replaced the blade as I thought the previous blade was the issue.  The blade cuts more like "/" than "|" that.  Make sense?  Is it my blade tension?  Am I pushing to the material through the blade to quickly?  I've watched a few YouTube videos on bandsaw setup and thought I got everything lined up with the bushings and what not but now I'm not so sure.

Any advice?  Besides going out and buying a new one, LOL!  Can't justify that right now.

-Jeremy

[buckeyebowhunter]

It should only drift so far before it hits the guides on either side. There are guides above and below the table that you cut on my saws guide recommends that they be close enough to slide a dollar bill between. Not sure what's going on but maybe your blade is dull and guides are too far apart.

[Flem]

I think Robert is on the right track, unlike your bandsaw
If you have everything set up correctly, your fence is parallel to the blade, your table is perpendicular to the blade, you probably have a dull blade or it got nicked on one side. Check your tires, but a new blade on and crank up the tension. Hope it's simple as that!

[Shredd]

All that I can think of is to have a sharp blade, tighten the crap out of the blade and make sure that one of the back guide wheels is not sticking out too far...  And make sure the gullet of the blade is near the center of the top pulley...

   Loosen up the back guide wheels so that they are barely touching the blade when no wood is being cut...

[Overspined]

This can be normal, set up the blade for your saw, then figure out the table tilt to square up to the blade so you’re cutting square

[Flem]

This can be normal, set up the blade for your saw, then figure out the table tilt to square up to the blade so you’re cutting square

Assuming the floor is level and the table is level, the the blade and table should be perpendicular to each other, if not the wheels are not in the same axis (plumb) and you should think about a new saw.

[Bvas]

Are there no table adjustments on the saw?

[Autumnarcher]

Great video on proper setup and proper tuning of  a bandsaw.

[J. Holden]

Thank you all for the options to try.  I know the blade is brand new.  So I don't think it's a sharpness issue, other than me!  I did watch the video inserted and have gone through those steps.  I did see another video that suggested the table may not be square to the blade on the horizontal plane and when I'm using the fence it's pushing the material away from, or into, the blade depending on the direction of the table.  So, finally home from the firehouse and time to decompress in the garage!

Thanks again fellas!

-Jeremy

[macbow]

Snodgrass has the best instructions.