The Best Way to Set Up a Bandsaw!

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Back in 2007, I posted a video on Bandsaw Setup. The method I demonstrated was one I learned from other woodworkers as well as numerous books and manuals. While the method works perfectly, it overcomplicates things and employs a couple of unnecessary steps, namely achieving coplanarity of the wheels and eliminating drift. Four years later, I became aware of a video from The Woodworking Shows featuring Alex Snodgrass and his simpler (and nearly foolproof) method for bandsaw tuneup. I have since become friendly with Alex and asked him if he'd be willing to come out to my shop to film his setup method. He agreed and here we are! I can say without a doubt that this is the BEST way to set up a bandsaw.

Align the Blade

Install the blade and apply just enough tension to keep the blade securely on the wheels. Use the tracking adjustment while turning the wheel by hand to line up the deepest part of the gullet with the center of the top wheel.

Tension the Blade

You can usually ignore the tenon meter on most bandsaws as they are notoriously inaccurate. Instead, tension the blade until your finger is only able to deflect the blade by about 1/4". This test should be done at the back of the saw where nothing can get in the way of the blade. The amount of pressure you apply to the blade shouldn't result in turning your finger white. If that happens, you're pushing too hard. After the tension is set, make sure the blade is still tracking properly with the gullet in the center of the top wheel.

Side Guides (Front to Back)

The front of the side guides should be located about 1/16" back from the deepest part of the blade gullets. You don't want the side guides to contact the cutting teeth of the blade since the teeth flare out at a slight angle. This adjustment is made to both the top and bottom guides. 

Thrust Bearings

Adjust the thrust bearings carefully so that they do NOT rotate while the blade moves, but they DO begin to rotate as soon as light pressure is applied to the blade. Spend the necessary time to get this adjustment just right. Of course, you'll do this adjustment to both the top and bottom guides. 

Side Guides (Side to Side) 

Just like the thrust bearing adjustment, the side guides should be as close to the blade as possible without actually touching. So when the blade moves the bearings should be stationary. When a slight amount of pressure is applied to the blade as its moving, the bearings should spin. 

Square the Table

Using a 2x4 or 2x6, make a partial cut into the face of the board. Turn the saw off, flip the board around and try to get the blade to slide into the cut slot. If it slides in easily and without resistance, we know the table is 90 degrees to the blade. If it doesn't slide in, make adjustments to the table and cut/test again. The wider the board is, the more accurate this test will be. 

Align the Fence

The fence can be aligned parallel with the body of the blade using nothing more than a ruler. Be sure the ruler is resting on the body of the blade between the teeth. With a long enough ruler you can easily align the fence by eye. Alex shows us the F.A.S.T system which is a simple and convenient way to do this same task. 

Test Cut

Since the overall goal of this setup process is to prepare for resawing, a good test is to slice off a thin veneer from a jointed and planed board. In our first test cut we were able to slice off a piece that was .016" or just over 1/64". This is way thinner than anything I'd ever need but it's pretty cool to see that the saw is capable of making such a delicate cut. 

Special thanks to Alex Snodgrass and Carter Products for helping make this video possible. Happy bandsawing! 

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[hotrodhog]

I saw Alex's video back in Nov. 2017 and went to my parents house 700 miles away for Christmas and tuned my dad's bandsaw like this and he was amazed! He said he has been woodworking his whole life and always had an issue with drift. He was so happy he gave me his other bandsaw Lol. Said he wanted to see me tune this 75 yr old Power King before I left and it cuts amazing. Dad says he never seen his father's saw cut straight til I tuned it! Thanks Alex Snodgrass! I love my grandfather's bandsaw so much, plus I got brownie points with my Dad!

[woodwhisperer]

This sucks. I could do that too if I had those tools. I hate your tattoos. I'm glad you shaved your beard. Reindeers suck. Zelda is a terrible game. I hate your face. First.

[oldb-kenobi]

The best 9 minutes I have spent today. Thank you.

[devilsownnightmare]

Thanks for another great video, Marc! I appreciate you sharing the work of others and having guests, as opposed to being a know it all and pretending like you have all the best methods. You are still my hero!

[alanr]

Wow. Huge thanks to Alex and Marc.
This video is excellent, thorough, and pretty concise.

Marc, once again, you have impeccable timing.
I'm picking up a bandsaw Saturday and am planning to tune it up next weekend.
Keep up the fine work man!

[bryanmcbee]

Almost perfect timing. I just tuned my bandsaw on 4 July but after watching this I will go back and make a couple of tweaks. Thanks.

[samuelroberts]

Snodgrass is the man when it comes to bandsaws! Thanks for sharing!

[zodakb]

Thanks for having him come over, Marc! And thanks to Alex for sharing his knowledge with us. I used his other video to set my band saw up, but this is much easier to see and follow along.

That fence aligning tool / width gauge looks pretty nice, too. I'm going to have to order one of those sets.

[jedicazador]

Fantastic! I attempted to watch his much longer video but just couldn't find the time to sit through the entire process. Thanks for having him and thank you Mr Snodgrass for coming to the shop to share your knowledge

[PeterEss]

Thanks for posting, Marc! I've met Alex Snodgrass a bunch of times at shows and he is a super guy!

[BeerontheBrain]

This has been one of the most informative videos I've seen this year! I was given an old bandsaw last year and it really hasn't been able to cut right. Can't wait to give it a tune up tomorrow.

[debrhodes]

Marc, thanks for this great video! I learned how to set my bandsaw up many years ago after you published episode 13. Always worked for me. Now I'll be tweaking my set up procedure thanks to you and Alex sharing this information. Thanks for all you do.

[Simplecove]

Great presentation, Marc. Thanks for having him on and sharing the awesome information!

[MrKingtiny]

Great Video Mark, Thanks for bringing Alex in. I've seen him at the Woodworking shows and there are so many people its hard to see his demo because he works so fast. Slowed down and zoomed in video really helps.

[chanteljoshplummer]

Thank you so much for this step by step video. I watched it a year ago when I set up my bandsaw and again now when I broke the blade and threw everything off. You the man!

[arnoldra]

Mark, thanks so much for the video. I inherited an old Delta bandsaw from my father in-law and honestly have been scared of it to work much with it. The tune-up video definitely boosted my confidence to set it up properly and get it going. Thanks so much!

[garrettducat]

Thanks for making this video. A few years ago I watched the "live" video by Alex and it was alright, but the edited, up close, HD version is great!

[vallejokid]

Marc what a great set up video. Thanks for introducing us to Alex. By far the best band saw set up explanation I've seen.

[TheWoodStroker]

Excellent. I wrote down a few notes, went to shop. Made adjustments. Cut veneer 1/32" thick. I have a Grizzly 19" band saw with a Lennox carbide tipped blade. Thanks Marc and Mr. Snodgrass!

[getoffthecouch_design]

Just got my first bandsaw and this was the first video I went searching for. I am going to use these techniques tonight to get it all set up, excited! Thanks Mark!