Band Saw Trouble Shooting

The members of the North American Sawing Association (NASA) recognize that a band saw machine and band saw blade need to be properly matched to achieve peak performance. The majority of band sawing difficulty is caused by misapplication due to incorrect feed, speed, cutting fluid ratio, tooth selection and machine repair. It is important for saw blade users to continually train their operators and seek the latest insawing technical data and utilize preventive maintenance to ensure a cost effective cutting application.

Blade Effect		Probable Cause	Solution
		Incorrect Blade Band tension too high Excessive feed Incorrect cutting fluid Wheel diameter too small for blade width Worn or chipped pressure block Blade rubbing on wheel flange Teeth in contact with work before starting saw Side guides too tight	Check tooth selection Reduce band tension, refer to operators manual Reduce feed pressure Check coolant recommendations Use narrower blade Replace worn pressure blocks Adjust wheel alignment Allow blade clearance above work Refer to operators manual
		Blade on machine backwards Improper blade break-in procedure Hard material or heavy surface scale Material is work hardening Improper cutting fluid or mix ratio Speed or feed too high	Install blade correctly Refer to recommended procedures Check material hardness and surface condition Increase feed pressure Follow coolant mixing procedures Adjust wheel alignment Check cutting recommendations
		Guide arms too far apart Blade worn out Over or under feeding Improper tooth pitch Cutting fluid not applied properly Too many teeth for material cross section Guides worn or loose	Adjust guide arms closer to material Replace blade Check cutting recommendations Use proper tooth selection Adjust coolant nozzles Use proper tooth selection Tighten or replace guides
		Over feeding Low band tension Tooth set damaged Guide arms loose or space too wide	Check cutting recommendations Refer to operators manual Check material hardness Adjust guides and guide arms
		Worn or missing chip brush Improper or lack of cutting fluid Wrong coolant ratio Excessive feed or speed Incorrect blade pitch	Replace or adjust chip brush Check coolant flow and fluid type Check coolant type and ratio Reduce feed or speed Use proper tooth selection
		Saw guides not properly adjusted Incorrect feed or speed Incorrect blade Material moved in vise	Align or adjust saw guides Refer to cutting recommendations Use proper blade type and pitch Inspect and adjust vises
		Indexing while blade in work Blade not high enough before index Saw head drifts into work while neutra	Adjust index sequence Adjust height selector Check hydraulic cylinder
		Improper blade break-in procedure Speed too slow Tooth jammed in cut Poor cutting fluid application or ratio Hard material or heavy scale Wrong blade pitch Work spinning or loose nested bundles Blade on backwards	Follow proper break-in procedure Refer to cutting recommendations Reduce feed pressure Do not enter new blade in that cut Adjust coolant flow and ration Check material or surface hardness Use proper tooth selection Tighten vises or use nesting clamps Install blade correctly
		Excessive back-up guide preload Low blade tension Incorrect blade (carbon steel type) Excessive feed rate or pressure Damaged or worn pressure block Guide arms spaced too far apart Blade rubbing band wheel flanges	Adjust pressure blocks Refer to operators manual Switch to a Bimetal blade Reduce feed rate or pressure Replace pressure block Adjust guide arms closer to work Adjust wheel alignment
		Dull or damaged blade Incorrect feed or speed Blade not supported properly Low blade tension Incorrect tooth pitch Guide arms too far apart	Install new blade Refer to cutting recommendations Adjust or tighten guide arms Refer to operators manual Use proper tooth selection Adjust guide arms closer to material
		Saw side guides too tight Blade riding too high in guide Blade teeth riding on band wheel surface Wrong blade width for machine Chips be carried back into cut Worn or damaged pressure block Insufficient coolant flow	Adjust guides properly Adjust rollers or pressure blocks Adjust tracking or replace wheel Refer to operators manual Replace or adjust chip brush Replace pressure block Adjust coolant flow
		Blade binding in cut Side guides are too tight Work loose in vise Feed to heavy Guide arms too far apart	Adjust feed or use heavy set blades Adjust guides Adjust vises Reduce feed pressure Adjust guide arms closer to material
		Incorrect blade Heavy feed or too fast speed Lack of cutting fluid Blade installed backwards	Use proper tooth selection Refer to cutting recommendations Adjust coolant flow or ratio Install blade correctly
		Material loose in vise Incorrect tooth pitch Feed too fast Speed too fast	Adjust vises Use proper tooth selection Reduce feed rate Refer to cutting recommendations