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Does anyone use that BS tension quick release? Do people think it's necessary to release the tension when it's not in use.
I'm worried I would forget to put it back on before use. Any good reminder techniques
MM

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Mike McNerney

IMHO you don't need it.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Well....it depends!

For instance, my local Woodcraft doesn't bother to take the tension off the blade. A conscious decision made in light of the fact that someone is going to wear it out tomorrow!

If you, however, tend to hang onto a bandsaw blade for a while you may want to consider a tension release of some sort. Most woodworkers keep a blade on the saw fart past it's intended life span. They have to see smoke or pop the band before they change it. IMHO not a good practice....but I've ruined good wood with bad blades so I'm a little more awake in this regard.

And yes....if it is not under tension you will atleast once forget to tension it...turn on the bandsaw and potentially ruin the blade. I've done it. Probably every woodworker that has a quick release has done it if they've been at it for a while.

Carter makes a quick release that has a big orange ball on the end of the handle. When the tension is not set the orange ball is sort of 'in the way'. It hangs down into the work zone. Good tensioner too.

Chris

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

This is one of those items , to me, that is much like a remote car starter . kinda cool to have but ive turned a key for 35 yrs without one and had very little problem. Some may love a bs tensioner , I have been using band saws 35+ yrs and never needed one , so , much like the remote starter , im not against it . Ill just keep turning my key .

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If I recall, the marketing literature says that the tension release is to:
Prevent a flat spot from forming on a tire.
Prevent uneven wear on bearings.
Prevent deformation of the blade which would result in strain hardening.

I guess a flat spot could possibly happen with long periods of inactivity, bad or old tire materials, & large temperature fluctuations but I have yet to experience it on my bandsaw that's lived in my garage for 18 years. But then again, it never sat idle for longer than 6 months at a time.

If you severely over-tensionin your blade, I guess you could deform it.
If you read bearing specs, it's not a valid point unless the saw was designed & built with the wrong size & type of bearings.

Before these devices came out, did anyone ever hear of problems resulting from not de-tensioning?

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I use mine. More to prevent flattening the rubber wheel. Get a neon colored super sticky note and put it on the power switch when you have it released.

I unplug the saw when I've "de-tensioned" the blade; this way when I mindlessly hit the power switch and nuthin' happens it reminds me to CHECK THE SET-UP!!! Which should have been done before hitting the switch in the 1st place. This is not a bad practice with all your potentially dangerous power tools...
pvg

I have one on my BS and use it all the time. To prevent turning it on with the blade loose, I open the top door. The door wide open in front of your face is a pretty good reminder to tension the blade.

This is one of the better ideas I've heard.

_________________
There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

Never used one. Don't see the need. If you are going to leave your saw idle for a looooong time you can just relieve the tension. Other wise I just give the wheel a bit of a spin now and then.
Saves the unpleasantness of turning on the saw with the blade de-tensioned.
L.

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Cut to size.....Beat to fit.....Paint to match.

I never de-tension any blades, but I do take my carbides off when I'm done with them. My standard all around blade is a 3/16" 10T Starrett, and that is most always on the saw. I use this saw every day, and have for 16 years. No problems.