TM 9-3405-205-14 & P
SAW OPERATIONS
The two types of sawing operations that can be performed on band saw are straight and contour cuts.
Manual feed or optional power feed is used for straight cuts. Contour cuts are made manually as when using a circle
cutting attachment.
FOR ALL STRAIGHT SAWING OPERATIONS
1. Using the speed and feed chart (fig.6)or a good band sawing reference, select the speed, feed rate, blade (with
reference to the radius chart when applicable), and coolant recommendations for the material and the thickness to
be cut.
2. Install the blade and adjust the tension using the tension scale. Check to see if the blade is centered on the
wheels against the back-up bearing of the lower guide and 1/32" or less of contacting the upper guide back-up
bearing. Tilt the upper wheel as required to give these conditions. If these conditions are not met, see the band
saw alignment section of the Maintenance Manual for readjustment.
3. Change or install the inserts for the blade width to be used. Slide the right hand lower guide insert to lightly
contact the blade and lock in place. Bring the lower guide left hand insert to be against the side of the blade tight
enough to give a slight drag if the band is pulled out by hand and then lock it in position. Align the upper guide
inserts in the same fashion. If the blade to be used is less than " width, a'3/1'6" spacer block is used behind
upper guide and the lower guide support should have the step in it facing towards the trunnion. The opposite is
true for blades " wide and wider.
4. Install the fence (optional) or other work holding or guiding device.
5. Unlock and angle the table if required by the operation to set it at the desired angle and relock. Caution: With the
table tilted, be sure a rail or other devise is used to prevent the work piece or the cut-off portion from falling to the
floor and causing injury.
6. Momentarily start and stop the machine to be sure the wheels rotate in the correct clockwise direction. If the
direction is not clockwise, have the problem corrected as indicated in the maintenance section.
7. Check the position of the transmission shift lever to see if it is in the proper range for the desired speed. If not,
rotate the lower wheel manually and shift into the correct range.
8. Be sure both upper and lower doors are closed. Start the machine and adjust the speed with the variable speed
handwheel to set the desired surface speed. Stop the machine.
9. Place the part piece on the table.
10. Adjust the guide post to be as close to the top of the workpiece or fixture as possible and still clear to provide the'
maximum rigidity for the cut. Check the lower guide support; it should be in its maximum up position to bring the
lower guide as close as possible to the under side of the table.
11. I f air is to be used, adjust the nozzle to direct flow through the hole in the blade guard and to keep the top of the
workpiece free of chips.
12. Make sure your hands are clear of the blade and start the motor. CAUTION: Do not place the hands in line
with the band saw blade.
13. Bring the workpiece. to the saw blade. If the blade is new, start with a light feed until the burrs are gone from the
saw blade teeth. Feeding should be at a rate which is comfortable for the operator to maintain. Devices such as
the optional rip fence or miter gauge can help in making straight cuts. An optional screw feed attachment to
reduce the feeding effort and increase the rate of feed (see section on powerfeed) is an optional accessory. For
narrow or thin work, use a push stick or block to avoid having to place the hands close to the blade or as in the
case of thin work,
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