Band Saw Blade Moving

"I just put a new band-saw blade [3/8"] on my saw. As I was trying to adjust the side bearings, I noticed that the blade moved in and out [in the direction of the cut] by about ½". By the time I finished adjusting the bearings, the deviation was still about ¼". Is this a bad blade?   

I've decided to leave it on the saw, under tension, for a few days and see if it straightens out.

I've never seen anything like this. What's happening [it is a name brand blade - Olson, All Pro]? Has it been in the box, with 4 or 5 loops, too long?"

Submitted by: Dondz

bridging the crown of the band saw tires, which means centering blade on the upper wheel. Do this using the tracking adjustment on the back of the saw. 

With the saw unplugged, spin the upper wheel by hand and watch what the blade is doing. Make certain it's remaining where it should be on the wheel. Once the tracking is correctly set the front of the blade should remain in a straight line from the upper to lower wheel, not pulse back and forth.

If the blade is remaining centered on the top wheel but it looks like the front of the blade is pulsing forward, you could have a crooked weld on the blade that's causing the problem.

Thank you for your question.

George Vondriska

Managing Editor 

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