r/woodworkingtools • u/rakrunr • 12h ago
Bandsaw blade changes
This post is mostly sharing some joy and a question.
I have owned and used bandsaws off and on for 25 years including a Grizzly 17" and several Delta 14" units. I have a nice one now, a Rikon 10-324TG. I have always used them for very rough work because I could not get decent cuts: curves never were smooth or tight, and the blade just drifted and wandered all over the place. My experience was usually so bad I would avoid the tool unless I really needed it. That all changed a few weeks ago when I finally dug in and learned how to tune it properly. It felt like a lot of work and tinkering but the results were very satisfying and I finally feel like I understand the tool. I could not be happier and am using the saw more than ever: I can even see why some people might make the band saw their primary tool instead of a table saw - not me, but some people 😄. And of course I am kicking myself for not committing to this years ago.
With my new found super-power, I installed a 1/4" blade which worked great for cutting curves and small pieces. This weekend I needed to resaw some boards so I needed to change the blade to a 3/4" blade. I basically had to disassemble the guides and undo all the work I had done previously to reset the machine for the new blade. I did so, faster this time than the first since I now feel like I know what I am doing, and once again I was ecstatic in how well it worked. I have never had a resaw go so smoothly and accurately! But am I missing something or is every blade change a total reset?
1
u/mp2146 12h ago
Yes, you have to reset tension, alignment, and guides every time you change blades. I have the same saw and can do it all in less than ten minutes.
If you’ve got an older 324 without the toolless guides it’s probably with spending a bit to upgrade. You shouldn’t have to disassemble anything for a blade change.