Looking after a bandsaw.

A bandsaw needs little maintenance, but the little it needs makes a big difference. Most problems that look like a bad blade, such as wandering cuts, vibration or blades coming off, start with sawdust, worn tyres, dry bearings or a rusty table. Ten minutes now and then keeps the saw cutting the way it did when it was new. Your manual has the maintenance schedule and the lubrication points for your saw.

After every few sessions.

• Clear the sawdust. Vacuum out the lower wheel housing, the area under the table and around the guides. Packed sawdust on the lower tyre throws off the tracking and makes the blade vibrate.
• Brush the tyres. Turn each wheel by hand and clean resin and dust off the tyres with a stiff brush.
• Clean the blade. Remove resin with a blade cleaner; a clean blade cuts cooler and straighter.
• Check the guides for wear, and the bearings for free running; see setting the blade guides.

The table.

Cast-iron tables rust quickly in a damp workshop, and rust makes the work drag and leaves marks on it. Clean the table, remove any light rust with a fine abrasive pad, and protect it with a coat of paste wax or a dry lubricant made for machine tables. Avoid oily sprays that can stain wood. Wax also makes long boards slide more easily.

Every few months.

• Tyres: look for cracks, hardening, grooves and loose sections. See bandsaw tyres.
• Wheel bearings: with the blade off, spin each wheel and rock it by the rim. Noise, roughness or play mean worn bearings.
• Tension mechanism: the tension screw and the upper wheel slide should move smoothly. Clean and lubricate them as the manual says.
• Drive belt, on belt-driven saws: check for cracks, glazing and the right tension.
• Table and fence: check that the table is still square and the fence true; see squaring the table and setting the fence.
• Dust extraction: clear the ports and hoses, and empty and clean the extractor.

When the saw stands unused.

Some manufacturers recommend releasing the blade tension when the saw won’t be used for a while; it takes the load off the tyres, bearings and blade. Many saws have a quick-release lever for this. Put a tag on the saw as a reminder to re-tension before use.