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| Rikon Bandsaw Tracking https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=42210 |
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| Author: | Andy Birko [ Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I have a Rikon 14" deluxe bandsaw and am having some tracking issues. With a thin (1/4") blade on the saw, I simply can't get it to track right. I can get it to track in front of the center point and behind the center point but not right in the center. There is a dark band on the wheel just aft of center and when adjusting the tracking, I get nothing, nothing nothing…then it starts moving back and boom - it falls right into the dark band. When adjusting to go back forward, same thing - several turns of nothing followed by a sudden movement to a point just forward of the dark band. I'm guessing that perhaps I wasn't diligent enough about releasing the tension on the blade, or perhaps ran too high a tension and I've got a low spot in the tires? New tires would probably fix it? Any other thoughts? |
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| Author: | Trevor Gore [ Tue Dec 17, 2013 5:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
Yep... If there is no crown left on the tyres (tires), for whatever reason, you'll have problems adjusting the tracking. Cleaning the tyres can help, if a build-up of resin/saw dust/gunk is causing the "out-of-crown". |
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| Author: | RandK [ Tue Dec 17, 2013 8:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
On my Laguna LT-18, I always keep the teeth off the edge of the tire. The 1.25" resaw king will ride nearly center but for the .25", it is hanging precariously on that front edge of the tire. The guides on that saw will not adjust to allow centering the narrow blades. Not sure if your guides will be happy with that technique but perhaps an option. |
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| Author: | Ken McKay [ Tue Dec 17, 2013 9:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
If you keep the teeth just forward of the center of the wheel then you can change blade sizes without adjusting the guides. These bandsaws have minds of their own though. |
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| Author: | Goodin [ Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
Yeah what Ken said. Try to get it to track near the edges. I also have the RIkon 14". The lower guide bearings won't move forward enough for smaller blades but if you track the blade to the back of the wheel you might get it to work. Also, I find that the blades require more tension than what the tension knob says. I'll usually crank it up to the next size up. |
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| Author: | Andy Birko [ Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I'm going to pick up new tires, probably the Carter urethane ones since they're the same width. It must be a low spot worn in the rubber because the blade always migrates to the same spot on the tire. Once it's in that zone, it takes several turns in either direction to get out of the ditch. anywhere else on the tire small movements of the wheel cause small movements in tracking. |
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| Author: | RusRob [ Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I think new tires will take care of the problem. I don't know about Rikon band saws but mine is a very old craftsman 14" that I was having the same problem with this past spring. Bought a new set of urethane tires and my saw works like new again (well it works like a 40 year old saw that now tracks true). |
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| Author: | RandK [ Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:10 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
Resurface the tire with sandpaper on a stick of scrap. Carefully... or turn by hand. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Thu Dec 19, 2013 11:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I've also got the Rikon deluxe 14" and have experienced some of the same tracking/guide problems. Except for these annoying issues I really like this saw. Andy, I'd be interested on how the tire replacement works out if you do it. Also, anyone know of a guide upgrade for this saw? |
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| Author: | Andy Birko [ Thu Dec 19, 2013 12:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I'm picking up the new tires today and should have them installed sometime soon. I'll report back on whether the issue is fixed. |
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| Author: | Andy Birko [ Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
I put the new tires on today and there's no comparison. Everything is fixed and the blade tracks right in the center. Seeing how this thing tracks now, I think the OEM tires were junk out of box. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:30 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Rikon Bandsaw Tracking |
That's good to know - thanks for reporting back. |
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