Of all the tools I own, I feel like I get the least out of my bandsaw (which was a decent sized investment at around $2k).
It's a jet 18" bandsaw, less than 10 years old. It seems like no matter what i do I can't get straight cuts, either ripping or even simply sawing 1" to 2" lumber.
I've tried tightening the blade tension up a mark and a half higher than the actual blade thickness. And also moving all the bearings, above and below the table, to touch the blade completely. This helped a little, but now the bearings "hum" pretty loudly when I'm cutting.
And my cuts still go sideways, even in softer wood like pine. And I don't mean a fraction of an inch. I'm talking half an inch or more on many cuts, even using the fence. Virtually useless results in wood thicker than 3/4".
I mostly use a 3/4" blade, and I'm going to go ahead and order a new one since this one is getting up there in age. Though it probably has only done an hour or so of actual sawing.
Any other tips or tricks the more experienced can offer? I'm about out of ideas if a new blade doesn't work miracles.