A serious question:

Some advocate a "pluck" method for tensioning the bandsaw blade. It's
supposed to play a clear musical note (an F, if I recall.) I've noted that
digital instrument tuners cost somewhere around $20, way less than bandsaw
tension meters. Could an instrument tuner be used as a method of
accurately tensioning the bandsaw blade?

Puckdropper

Puckdropper wrote:
A serious question:

Some advocate a "pluck" method for tensioning the bandsaw blade. It's
supposed to play a clear musical note (an F, if I recall.) I've noted that
digital instrument tuners cost somewhere around $20, way less than bandsaw
tension meters. Could an instrument tuner be used as a method of
accurately tensioning the bandsaw blade?

Puckdropper



Since frequency is a function of string length and tension, and tension
is the quantity you want to specify, I have have doubts about using the
tone F as a goal. What Does make sense, to my ears , is that the
blade should be both tight enough and loose enough to make a short
ringing tone after you kick it with your fingernail. I think that
indicates a "healthy" tension--however my usual disclaimer: others with
more experience surely know better.

Bill

On 7/27/2011 9:59 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
A serious question:

Some advocate a "pluck" method for tensioning the bandsaw blade. It's
supposed to play a clear musical note (an F, if I recall.) I've noted that
digital instrument tuners cost somewhere around $20, way less than bandsaw
tension meters. Could an instrument tuner be used as a method of
accurately tensioning the bandsaw blade?

Puckdropper

The simplest most cost effective, tension and make a test cut. Repeat
if necessary. Use the gauge on your saw as a starting point.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:38:25 -0500, Leon lcb11211@swbelldotnet
wrote:
The simplest most cost effective, tension and make a test cut. Repeat
if necessary. Use the gauge on your saw as a starting point.

And is there some type of measurement to determine that it's properly
tensioned or is it just personal satisfaction?

On 7/27/2011 9:59 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
A serious question:

Some advocate a "pluck" method for tensioning the bandsaw blade. It's
supposed to play a clear musical note (an F, if I recall.) I've noted that
digital instrument tuners cost somewhere around $20, way less than bandsaw
tension meters. Could an instrument tuner be used as a method of
accurately tensioning the bandsaw blade?

As a musician who tickles the bottoms of all the females in the
audience, I doubt you will find a $20 tuner that will accurately
indicate that octave. I have a $300 Peterson that won't do it, I know,
because I tried.

Leon is right in that the correct tension is one that gives you the best
cut, and the best way to get in that ball park is to use the built-in
tension meter.

I actually own a band saw ten$ion meter (I'm not that stupid, it was a
gift) and the indicator marks of the few band saws I've tested with it
have been close enough to get you where you want to be as long as the
tension spring is not completely worn out.

Replacement springs are cheap and easy to change and a new one on an old
band saw, along with the built-in marks, should make it a moot point.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/15/2010
KarlC@ (the obvious)

On 7/28/2011 7:36 AM, Dave wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 06:38:25 -0500, Leonlcb11211@swbelldotnet
wrote:
The simplest most cost effective, tension and make a test cut. Repeat
if necessary. Use the gauge on your saw as a starting point.

And is there some type of measurement to determine that it's properly
tensioned or is it just personal satisfaction?

Typically band saws have a basic tensioner that gets you in the ball
park. A properly tensioned blade tracks and cuts better. So if the cut
and experience is not what you expect try more or less tension.

Keep in mind that tension will change during extended use. As the blade
warms up tension decreases.
AND if the guides and or top wheel bevel is not correct no amount of
tensioning will make that better.

Also keep in mind that the lessor saws frames will give to the tension
on the blade. Basically the saw can loose tension simply by setting
still. Hense I was not happy with my upgrade band saw I got a Laguna.

Basically the more robust/ridged the machine the less tweaking you will
have to deal with as you use the machine.

Tensioning a BS blade is a lot like setting the drag on your fishing reel.

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:09:12 -0500, Leon wrote:

Basically the saw can loose tension simply by setting still.

A good argument for releasing the tension when not in use.


--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

On Thu, 28 Jul 2011 02:59:56 +0000, Puckdropper wrote:

A serious question:

Some advocate a "pluck" method for tensioning the bandsaw blade. It's
supposed to play a clear musical note (an F, if I recall.)

I just heard it should sound like a note, not a dull thud. But it seems
to me that that is a minimal condition. The blade needs to be "at least"
that tight, but it may need to be tighter. Cut and test.

--
Intelligence is an experiment that failed - G. B. Shaw

On Jul 28, 11:59*am, Puckdropper puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com wrote:
A serious question:

Could an instrument tuner be used as a method of
accurately tensioning the bandsaw blade?

Why waste the time?
I tension by sight,
I cut a 3/4" wide X 6" long piece of polycarbonate in the left-hand
Side of the door.
If it's just barely flutterin', turn the crank up a bit and yer there.
From 1/8" to 2", never a problem :-)