So my grandfather passed away and nobody in the family wanted his old Rockwell (Delta) 14 series bandsaw, so I got it. I put it on a rolling base and took it apart some knocking off any rust and such so that it was usable again, familiarizing myself with how it functioned and so on. I checked the wheels and they were fine and not dry rotted at all, and I checked all the guide blocks and the drive belt as well making sure nothing was in disrepair. It wasn't a tool I saw myself getting anytime soon and it just kinda fell into my lap. I bought good Timberwolf blades for it in a variety of sizes so that I would have what I needed no matter what project came up.
Turns out the first 'project' was some cut up cedar logs I had cut down a week before getting the saw all squared away. I have cut them into about foot and a half sections and I want to rip them into rough plank sizes to then use them for future projects. I've tried a few but hit a few hitches in the project.
I've checked the thrust bearing and the guide blocks and they are set properly as is my tension. The tension of the blade is set to as high as I think I am comfortable with on the back of the unit (just above 1/2" mark) without getting really hesitant to jack up the tension higher.
I am using a 3/4in 93 1/2" 2-3tpi VPC Timberwolf Blade (Item 3423VPC if it makes a difference)
1) I can't seem to cut for very long without choking the bandsaw. I think this is because I am rolling the log on the table without thinking and choking out the bandsaw because it cuts fine for the first half or so of the log but definately has trouble on the last inch or so.
2) I can't seem to make the perfect straight cuts I am looking for. I think this is because I choke the saw and have to lead it back wait for it to speed up and then proceed slowly.
Now I will say I am kinda maxing out the cut/throat space on the saw right now because it only has like a 6.5" throat space and I have that thing jacked all the way up and some of my pieces barely clear under the guide blocks at times.
Is there anything I should be doing or a jig that I should build in order to assist myself better?
Turns out the first 'project' was some cut up cedar logs I had cut down a week before getting the saw all squared away. I have cut them into about foot and a half sections and I want to rip them into rough plank sizes to then use them for future projects. I've tried a few but hit a few hitches in the project.
I've checked the thrust bearing and the guide blocks and they are set properly as is my tension. The tension of the blade is set to as high as I think I am comfortable with on the back of the unit (just above 1/2" mark) without getting really hesitant to jack up the tension higher.
I am using a 3/4in 93 1/2" 2-3tpi VPC Timberwolf Blade (Item 3423VPC if it makes a difference)
1) I can't seem to cut for very long without choking the bandsaw. I think this is because I am rolling the log on the table without thinking and choking out the bandsaw because it cuts fine for the first half or so of the log but definately has trouble on the last inch or so.
2) I can't seem to make the perfect straight cuts I am looking for. I think this is because I choke the saw and have to lead it back wait for it to speed up and then proceed slowly.
Now I will say I am kinda maxing out the cut/throat space on the saw right now because it only has like a 6.5" throat space and I have that thing jacked all the way up and some of my pieces barely clear under the guide blocks at times.
Is there anything I should be doing or a jig that I should build in order to assist myself better?