Bandsaw Maintenance Part 2

Since we’ve discuss the blades on our first blog series, we’re going to discuss 3 items for today which is the equipment condition and type, the coolant and the operator’s skill.

1.       Equipment Condition and Type

As is always the case, keeping your equipment well-maintained and vibration-free will ensure accuracy and longer blade life. Blade wear patterns may be a sign that a wheel adjustment is needed or guides are worn and are causing problems. If this happens, make sure to make the right move and inspect the machine before using it. If you aren’t capable, make sure to call in some experts to do the checking for you.

The type of the machine you are also using is important. For example, there are parts that aren’t the same with other bandsaw machines. You might want to do some research on your machine by typing in the serial number on search engines or reading the manual. You can also take some advice from the experts.

2.       Coolant

During the bandsaw operation, the blade and the metal creates friction and produces heat. Heat is the number one cause why you blade isn’t cutting well. It is important to choose the right coolant for your cutting applications. Choosing the proper coolant will help you improve the cut and also the life of your saw blades.

3.       Operator Skill

Like with any job, knowing your equipment and understanding the operation and processes, as well as being able to troubleshoot or get service when equipment fails, are vital to the success of your company. Being properly trained and having the correct resources are also contributing factors to the success of your company.

Following are just a few skills necessary to ensure continued productivity:

•Ability to observe the cut to ensure the down feed is correct, especially if you’re using a manual feed system

•Ability to make different types of cuts when using a manual down feed band saw

•Ability to read the chips to determine if the blade and equipment are cutting properly

•Ability to identify equipment problems and get assistance or service