How to change a bandsaw blade quickly and safely!
Replacing the blade on a band saw is not a difficult task. There are some simple steps to follow that will help you complete this task correctly and most importantly, safely.
Step number one and by far the most important step of all is to make sure that you have properly disconnected the power supply to the machine. Called "Lock-out/Tag-out" in the metal working industry, this step is very important and must be done with no exceptions. You need to either unplug the machine if possible or cut the power from the control panel or power source. I recommend removing the fuse completely if possible. You don't want someone to come along and throw the power switch on or run the risk of you yourself accidentally pressing the power button somehow, while you're in the middle of changing the blade.
Now that the power is off, you're ready to start with the meat and potatoes of changing your blade. Depending on what type of machine you have, horizontal or vertical, you will need to open the blade guard and find the blade tension mechanism. It could be a screw driver or Allen key type devise that travels in or out; or it could also be a wheel type that you turn one way or the other to accomplish the same. Once you find it, you will then need to loosen the tension off the blade. You should now see the blade loosen and be able to remove the blade from the drive wheel. Once the tension is off you should be able to remove the blade, but before you do, please note the direction of the serrated teeth on your blade. They should be facing toward you as you face the machine if you if you have a vertical saw or facing down on a horizontal saw.
Once you have the old blade off, carefully uncoil your new blade and put it on the machine. This is sometimes a difficult task that requires a certain degree of skill. I recommend wearing gloves whenever you're handling the blades. Your new blade will come in a square box and will be coiled up and held together by a metal tie of some sort. Make sure that when you go to take the tie off, that you have a good grip on the blade with your free hand and that you're holding the entire coil. If not, it could get away from you and the blades are quite sharp, especially when they are new.
Next, make sure the teeth are going the right direction and align the blade in the guides properly. Now simply tighten the blade tensioning mechanism to the desired tension and you're ready to put the guards back on and power up your machine for a test cut.
Depending on the cutting speed and the material your cutting, you may need to adjust your blade tension to get it cutting right, but basically you should be ready to cut on your next project.
