Les Ateliers Bonzai

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Bandsaw maintenance and R&D Bandsaw blades

So just before I started to resaw some nice walnut, I wanted to change the blade to get the best cut. I also remembered that the last bandsaw maintenance was done a long time ago.  I don't  really have a scheduled maintenance for each tools, mainly when I need to change something like a blade or whenever is the most convient. This was the time to look at the guides just before adjusting them anyway after the blade change.  

New Blade - R&D Bandsaw

I am testing out a new blade from R&D Bandsaw, which is a Canadian dealer and the deal seemed pretty good.  I ordered a 3/4" 3tpi blade and a 1/2" 3tpi blades to outfit my Laguna LT3000 bandsaw.  Since I got my bandsaw, I always used Highland Woodworking Wood Slicer blades. They are really nice blades and gave me good result but shipping to Canada was starting to be a bit expensive for my taste.  Shipping was pretty expensive and was willing to give a chance to potentially someone closer to home.  

The occasion to do some cleanup of the guides while I had the guts opened up while replacing the blade.  

Upper trust on my bandsaw in need of a cleanup

Lower guide assembly on my bandsaw with a freshly new installed blade

Laguna band saw guide half of the lower guides

Adjustments

Once everything was all cleaned up and reassembled, came time to do the adjustment of the guides and address the drift relative to the this new blade.  A little while ago, The Wood Whisperer produce a video with Alex Snodgrass to do the adjustments on his bandsaws.  Here is a link to the video on his adjustments method.  I followed them and the saw now cuts like a charm.  

To align the fence with the blade, I used my ruler from my square and was able to adjust the fence.  Granted that the blade being 3/4" gave a pretty good reference surface to get the alignment perfect versus an 1/8" blade.  

Alignment of the fence of my bandsaw with the blade

Fence alignment cutaway from my bandsaw

Lets resaw some lumber....