Jezz Santos
08-08-2012, 1:47 AM
I’ve just unpacked my new MM20, it’s been in a shipping container for some time.
I am not experienced with bandsaw setups, and I am confused about how to set this one up given the parts I have.
The manual is not terrifically prescriptive enough to help the problem I am experiencing.
The saw comes with what I now know are called EURO top and bottom guides. And it also comes with a comprehensive telescopic wrap-around blade guide up top – which looks great for safety.
238671238673
I have followed the steps in fitting a new ½” blade. As the manual instructs, the teeth just overlap the front of the top wheel. I have applied the necessary tension and set the tracking correctly.
238672
Now it’s time to place the top and bottom guides.
Starting with the top guide, I have adjusted the heavy top guide mechanism so that the blade is centered between the two blade guides – leaving a gap for now.
238669238671
Then I have tried to bring the thrust bearing forward to meet the back of the blade (which will eventually have 1/64” spacing). But the thrust bearing hits the steel telescopic blade guard about ¾” before it gets anywhere near the back of the blade!
238670238668
There does not seem to be a position of the guide mechanism that can avoid the thrust bearing hitting the blade guard!
238674
It appears that in order to set up this saw with the provided guide mechanism I will need to manually cut the steel of the telescopic blade guide about 1” to allow me to bring the thrust bearing forward to the back of the blade, for any blade less than 1” thick. Seems like a design fault.
I see no help in the manual or online about this problem, nor others having the same problem.
Am I doing something wrong, can someone guide me please?
Photos attached.
Any guidance appreciated
I am not experienced with bandsaw setups, and I am confused about how to set this one up given the parts I have.
The manual is not terrifically prescriptive enough to help the problem I am experiencing.
The saw comes with what I now know are called EURO top and bottom guides. And it also comes with a comprehensive telescopic wrap-around blade guide up top – which looks great for safety.
238671238673
I have followed the steps in fitting a new ½” blade. As the manual instructs, the teeth just overlap the front of the top wheel. I have applied the necessary tension and set the tracking correctly.
238672
Now it’s time to place the top and bottom guides.
Starting with the top guide, I have adjusted the heavy top guide mechanism so that the blade is centered between the two blade guides – leaving a gap for now.
238669238671
Then I have tried to bring the thrust bearing forward to meet the back of the blade (which will eventually have 1/64” spacing). But the thrust bearing hits the steel telescopic blade guard about ¾” before it gets anywhere near the back of the blade!
238670238668
There does not seem to be a position of the guide mechanism that can avoid the thrust bearing hitting the blade guard!
238674
It appears that in order to set up this saw with the provided guide mechanism I will need to manually cut the steel of the telescopic blade guide about 1” to allow me to bring the thrust bearing forward to the back of the blade, for any blade less than 1” thick. Seems like a design fault.
I see no help in the manual or online about this problem, nor others having the same problem.
Am I doing something wrong, can someone guide me please?
Photos attached.
Any guidance appreciated