Laguna band saw blade not cutting straight

Is the matchbox tolerance suggested by Laguna? I don’t have that much on my old Rockwell. Just askin’..

-- Bstrom

First, if you haven’t seen them look at some of Alex Snodgrass’s videos on band saws. He has several and they are worth watching. Just do an internet search with his name and bandsaws.

In the situation you describe it would appear the set on the teeth have become unbalanced or one side is worn or damaged. The will cause the blade to cut more on one side. You can sharpen the blade but you also need to make sure the set is correct and equal. Also the ceramic guides should not be giving off any sparks as youy said in an earlier posting.

-- Les B, Oregon

Hi, the video I watched suggested almost touching or lightly touching the ceramic guides.

Classic dull blade symptom. A dirty blade can do this too but if the blade has some mileage on it, I would bet that it is dull.

-- Nathan, TX -- Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.

Hi, thanks for the info. I have a spare new 1/2 blade. I am going to put that on the band saw and see what the results are.

Dull Blade, +1 I get my blades made at a local shop for about $15.00 for a 1/2” 3 tpi Bahco, order 2 at a time, usually get 6 months to a year to a blade. (unless I abuse it:))

-- Lifting one end of the plank.

+1

That’s exactly what my Laguna 1412 does when the blade is dull. I too had it for 2 or 3 years and then my 1/2” blade started doing that and since it is a progressive change you just kind of get used to it. It was the blade that I primarily kept on the saw all the time. Then the blade broke so I had to buy a new one. HOLY S*IT! Duhhh…How did I miss that?

I love that saw. Never a bit of drift right out of the box with no adjustments and resaws like butter. Come to think of it, it’s probably time to change the 6 year old blade in my Bosch CMS.

NEW BLADE.

-- Andy - Seattle USA

Hi all, thanks for all the good helpful responses. When I change the blade to a new 1/2” I will post the results. Best Harry

P.S. Have to try a matchbook. I use a dollar bill as my ceramic spacer. YMMV.

-- Andy - Seattle USA

Likely dull, but it could also be the loss of tooth set on that side of the blade. The side guides need to be behind the tooth gullets or you will destroy the set.

-- Phil Allin - There are woodworkers and people who collect woodworking tools. The woodworkers have a chair to sit on that they made.

All it takes is to barely kiss a guide and the blade is trash.

Ceramic guides can be set to lightly touch the blade on Laguna saws. Make sure the thrust guide is touching or nearly touching the blade too.

Blade is probably not sharp, or the geometry was changed as you sharpened it.

I like a 1/2” or wider blade for straight cuts. How wide is the blade you’re using? My Laguna Proforce and Resaw King blades both cut fantastic on my 1412.

-- Willie, Washington "If You Choose Not To Decide, You Still Have Made a Choice" - Rush

Ceramic guides can be set to lightly touch the blade on Laguna saws. Make sure the thrust guide is touching or nearly touching the blade too..

- pintodeluxe

That’s funny. I actually do put the guides against the blade. I just didn’t want any heat from anybody telling me that was incorrect.

I usually use my Resaw King for resawing but since I had just put the new 1/2” on a week earlier I figured I’d see what it could do. 2’ long 10” walnut like butter. Just like it came out of the box without ever adjusting it. Did I say that I love this saw?

-- Andy - Seattle USA