Prepping for a new Bandsaw

[Goose Gossett]

So I splurged with and took my Christmas gifts all into one and got a new polar bear series 14" grizzly bandsaw.  They say it's in the mail and I took some time looking at blades and went ahead and ordered a diemaster 2 from toolcenter to go along with it.  

My question is this... is there anything I should know (this being my first bandsaw but I've used them before) when setting up or little things that would help me use the machine more efficiently,  healthily, and prolong its wear?

Thanks for any advice and looking forward to profiling some osage that has been sitting in my garage for months!

[macbow]

Goose, The set up sheet from grizzly is pretty good. If possible use some sort of dust collector.
You can't get enough good blades. I get good life from mine. Right now mine is getting dull and I've been reluctant to change it.Nothing like a good sharp blade for the Osage.

The only thing I've had happen with my 14 inch grizzly is the fence for re-sawing sometimes slips. I think saw dust gets in the clamp area. I have to double check it sometimes.
Good luck, Ron

[kennym]

What Ron said!  Take your time setting up,it is worth every minute later.

Griz  points out how to do it pretty well, and that blade is my fave too.

Ron, I'm thinkin there is an adjustment on that lock on the fence,but I have never had to fool with it.

[Goose Gossett]

Thanks for the timely input and my shoulders and forearms thank me for my investment  :D

[Ricky Wallace]

You really should send that old thing to me  so I can test it out for you... Ill send it back,,,,,,,,,,I promise!      

[Pat B]

I've had a 14 1/2" Grizzly for a few years now. I love it. If you can't find answers here Grizzly's tech support is pretty good too. I've had to call them once or twice and always got the right answer.
 Set up is pretty straight forward too. You will spend an hour or two assembling the saw and setting it up but you'll spend years thanking yourself for getting it.
 I use a 3/4" coarse blade for my bow work and a thin fine blade for scroll work for my wife. Fiberglass eats bandsaw blades! d;^)

[John Scifres]

Get Mark Duginske's "Bandsaw Handbook" (used from $2.75 on Amazon right now  http://www.amazon.com/Band-Saw-Handbook-Mark-Duginske/dp/0806963980).

You won't regret it.

[No-sage]

I second John's recommendation on the book.

You'll be very happy with your saw if it's set up correctly.

[fish n chicks]

Besides upgrading my blades, and keeping a nice stock of back-ups, I would look at getting a twist link belt for the motor. I would recommend that belt for ANY of your belt driven tools. Takes out almost any vibration you may encounter. It's not cheap by comparison to normal belts, but you don't need much.

Depending on your lighting, I would also recommend getting a task light. Other than that, make sure you put the blade on facing the right direction (sounds dumb but it happens), check your bearings so that you have about a dollar or business card's thickness of clearance, and start enjoying that awesome tool.

[H8nonCubs]

I've been looking for the same saw on the cheap and you just can't find anyone who wants to get rid of theirs. I must say that I'm pretty jealous. Good luck with your new toy!

[Tom Leemans]

read this
  http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/six_rules.asp

p.s. the timberwolf blades are great!

[Inuumarue]

Right there with you Goose, just got a call from UPS this morning to set up the shipping on it.  Its going to replace my little 9" delta (which has been out of commission for a few weeks)  Cant wait for it to get here.  My biggest problem is deciding to run 110 or 220 for the saw.

Adam

[macbow]

Mine was ready for 110 so I just went with it.
220 would use 1/2 the amps, but need a dedicated outlet.

I have not had any issues with the 110 volts.
Ron