Ronn W Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I have a 3/8" x 4 tpi blade on my Laguna 14 Twelve band saw. I have tried several times to align the fence for ripping. I used Marc's method of ripping part way through a piece, stopping, measuring the and angle and transferring that angle to the fence. When that did not work I tried adjusting the angle to be a little greater. When that didn't work I adjust the angle slightly the other way. In all cases that blade tends to pull the work piece away from the fence. I have dressed the back edge of the blade. If there is a difference in the set of the teeth between the right and left sides of the blade I would say that I can feel more set on the right side than on the left, but the difference, at least to my fingers, is slight. This is the 2nd Laguna blade of this width and pitch that I cannot get to track straight. Maybe I should just use this blade for freehand work. Any ideas or comments? What brand of blades do you use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 First, make sure you're piece is square. Second, draw a straight line and then cut along that line. When you get about 1/2 way through the board, shut down the machine holding the board in place. Clamp the board in place and then align the fence to match to board. That's the way that I set mine and don't have any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 If the saw is not tracking true no blade will perform correctly. I suppose two blades could be made from the same bad stock but, this would be the first I had run into such a coincidence. Is the table (and three for the fence rail) possibly out of square with the feed path? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 TIODS & Gee-dub, That is what I did to align the fence with the feed path. I will try another blade tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 To not chase your tail, just ensure the rest of the saw is set up perfectly before touching the fence. Adjusting for drift when the setup is crap is useless and a waste of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 6 minutes ago, Brendon_t said: To not chase your tail, just ensure the rest of the saw is set up perfectly before touching the fence. Adjusting for drift when the setup is crap is useless and a waste of time. Agree with Brendon.. I'm assuming the saw is set up properly. I think Marc also has a band saw set up video or at at least follow the manufacturer's set up procedures. I don't have a Laguna but, didn't have any issues setting up a couple Grizzlys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Crawford Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 How far above the board do you have the upper blade guide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 This morning I changed blades took the 3/8" off and put a 3/4" 3TPI blade on. I check the entire set up - table, guides, tracking,etc. The only thing that I noticed was that the ceramic guides were not set close enough to the blade. I adjust that and then set the fence per Marc's video just like before and then ripped a 24" piece of poplar. The piece stayed on the fence and, although this blade does not have the smoothest cut, measured the thin cut off piece at 9/64 leading end, middle and trailing end. Perfect. So, I think that my setup method is OK. I think it was the tooth set on the 3/8" blade that was pulling the blade to the left towards the fence and then the tension in the blade would pull the wood away form the fence. Anybody agree or am I all wet? I have to admit that the problem with that 3/8" blade was causing me to avoid my band saw when there was another way to do something. This saw is a relatively new addition to my shop and my first band saw. I will get another 3/8" or 1/2" blade and hopefully I will like my band saw again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I agree that the blade can make the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted May 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 3 hours ago, Tom Crawford said: How far above the board do you have the upper blade guide? Guide was within 3" of the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted May 16, 2016 Report Share Posted May 16, 2016 I had the same problem with my Grizzly at first. Set the tension on the blade a little tighter and problem was solved. I found that if the tension isn't tight enough it allows the blade to twist to easily and it will follow the grain of the wood rather than cut through it. Just what I have found. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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