HELP with changing band saw blade

Nathan L

Nathan L

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Sep 9, 2011
Messages
238
I recently got on of these band saws http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200365120_200365120 from Northern Tool the blade that came with it wore out so i bought a new 64 1/2 X 1/2 blade, loosed the tension took the old one off. Then i put the new one on and tried to tighten it back up, i adjusted the the tension knob as far as it would adjust and the blade was still loose. I though that maybe the new blade was the wrong size but when i went to put the old one back on i had the same problem. I cant figure out what is wrong the manual is no help and the manufacture has no idea. If anyone here can tell me what is wrong or what i did wrong I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks, Nathan.
 
You've got to loosen the tracking bolts behind the upper wheel before you can loosen the tension knob. And after you tighten the tension knob, you tighten the tracking bolts back up. This is when you dance and curse with it, trying to get the tracking just right.

Hope this helps
 
First make sure you have the blades going through all the guides correctly.


It's very had to get it hand tight.

I can use a rag on the knob and get more movement, but channel locks, or making a huge T handle help too.

I need to get it obscenely tight to get it right.
 
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Also, make sure the tightening wheel/bolt is still attached to the tension plate. It could have slipped out of its slot....or be broken. The upper wheel should move up and down as the tension knob/wheel is turned.

As Jason pointed out, if the tracking bolts are too tight, it can lock the tension plate and prevent movement.
 
Just so it can be a reference for anyone else who has this problem, I did finally get the saw fixed. I felt stupid because I did not notice it before, but the reason it would not tighten up was because the bolt was pulling out of the plastic knob on the top. So to fix it i bought a allen key bolt from Fastenal. Now the bolt head does what the plastic knob was supposed to do and I have a stronger bolt that should hold up better. I also replaced some of the other bolts with higher strength ones.
 
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