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Blade Lead
Blade drift (also known as lead or fence drift) is a
problem that may occur when the blade begins to
wander off the cutting line even when the band saw
fence is being used. Figure 24 shows an example
of blade lead.
Blade lead can be caused by a number of factors,
and these should all be checked and corrected if
necessary:
Fence is not parallel to miter slot and
blade.
Blade is not tensioned correctly.
Blade is dull.
Teeth have too much “set” on one side of
the blade.
If replacement of the blade is not currently an
option, the blade lead can be compensated for by
skewing the fence. Proceed as follows:
1. Cut a scrap piece of wood about the same
length as the band saw table, and joint one
edge along its length, or rip it on a table saw to
give it a straight edge.
2. Draw a line on the board parallel with the
jointed, or straight edge of the board.
3. Move the band saw fence out of the way, and
carefully make a freehand cut along your drawn
line on the board. Stop about midway on the
board, and shut off the band saw (allow the
blade to come to a complete stop) but do not
allow the board to move.
4. Clamp the board to the table.
5. Slide the band saw fence over against the
board until it contacts the straight edge of the
board at some point. Lock the fence down.
6. Loosen the four hex cap screws at the top of
the fence (see Figure 9) and shift the fence
until it is parallel to the board along its length.
7. Re-tighten the four hex cap screws.
Note: Skewing the fence to correct blade lead is
effective for that particular blade; when a new blade
is installed, the fence will probably need re-
adjustment.
Figure 24