John K Jordan
11-15-2018, 9:08 PM
Someone just asked on another forum about coiling bandsaw blades into 5 loops. Coiling into 3 loops is easy and well instructed on the web. Coiling into 5 is not much different. Some of the blades I buy come in 5 loops so I knew it could be done. (Sorry if something about this was posted earlier, I couldn't find it with a search.)
I usually coil in three loops so about a year ago I tried coiling a 1/2" blade into 5 loops. Then since I couldn't leave well enough alone I coiled one into 7 loops just to see if I could. That was harder to hold and bend but done basically the same way. My blades are for an 18" Rikon, over 11' long. Shorter blades from a smaller bandsaw would be a little more effort.
No video, but I took a picture of the way I started. There may be better ways but this is what I came up with without asking Sir Google.
To coil into 5 loops, I first coiled into three, then gathered up two loops to make them smaller, held them down with my foot against the floor, then coiled the third big loop exactly like I coiled three. Probably could have held the smaller coils in one hand instead of against the floor but I didn't try that. (I couldn't get a cell phone action shot since I don't have three hands.) This was the starting configuration:
396715 396716
To coil into 7, I did the same thing as for 5 but instead of gathering two smaller loops I gathered four, then coiled the large one into three.
396717
I didn't try for 9 loops but it might not be impossible with a 3/8" or 1/4" blade.
Amaze your friends, impress the neighbors, bore the kids.
SAFETY: Best to wear gloves (leather if possible) and safety glasses or full face shield, especially if not experienced with coiling or lacking in coordination. I use safety glasses but don't wear gloves for the 1/2" blades any more - nary a scratch in 20 years of coiling. I hold the blade with the back against my palms, teeth away, and maintain a firm grip on the flat sides.
BTW, for even more fun try coiling the big blade for the WoodMizer sawmill. I wear gloves and eye protection for that. These blades are 1-1/4" wide, 0.045" thick, over 13' long, and the wicked teeth are spaced over an inch apart. They are the most dangerous when uncoiling - I remove the retaining wire and launch the coil away from me into the air above a grassy area - it springs apart in the air and lands safely. Makes an interesting sound. If one of those gets away from you medical attention might be needed.
JKJ
I usually coil in three loops so about a year ago I tried coiling a 1/2" blade into 5 loops. Then since I couldn't leave well enough alone I coiled one into 7 loops just to see if I could. That was harder to hold and bend but done basically the same way. My blades are for an 18" Rikon, over 11' long. Shorter blades from a smaller bandsaw would be a little more effort.
No video, but I took a picture of the way I started. There may be better ways but this is what I came up with without asking Sir Google.
To coil into 5 loops, I first coiled into three, then gathered up two loops to make them smaller, held them down with my foot against the floor, then coiled the third big loop exactly like I coiled three. Probably could have held the smaller coils in one hand instead of against the floor but I didn't try that. (I couldn't get a cell phone action shot since I don't have three hands.) This was the starting configuration:
396715 396716
To coil into 7, I did the same thing as for 5 but instead of gathering two smaller loops I gathered four, then coiled the large one into three.
396717
I didn't try for 9 loops but it might not be impossible with a 3/8" or 1/4" blade.
Amaze your friends, impress the neighbors, bore the kids.
SAFETY: Best to wear gloves (leather if possible) and safety glasses or full face shield, especially if not experienced with coiling or lacking in coordination. I use safety glasses but don't wear gloves for the 1/2" blades any more - nary a scratch in 20 years of coiling. I hold the blade with the back against my palms, teeth away, and maintain a firm grip on the flat sides.
BTW, for even more fun try coiling the big blade for the WoodMizer sawmill. I wear gloves and eye protection for that. These blades are 1-1/4" wide, 0.045" thick, over 13' long, and the wicked teeth are spaced over an inch apart. They are the most dangerous when uncoiling - I remove the retaining wire and launch the coil away from me into the air above a grassy area - it springs apart in the air and lands safely. Makes an interesting sound. If one of those gets away from you medical attention might be needed.
JKJ