Printed from Kezuriba (kezuriba.net/en/maintenance/bandsaw/)

Band saw inspection checklist

12 maintenance inspection items for band saws (metal-cutting band saws, horizontal and vertical (contour machines)): 11 common, 1 horizontal-only. Organized by interval from the machine manufacturers' operation and maintenance manuals and from published materials of parts and oil makers, standards, and regulations. Your checks are saved only in this browser.

Intervals differ by machine.
First, check your machine's
manual!

CautionThe values for tension, saw speed, feed, and break-in are guidelines published by blade makers and vary with blade type, maker, and material. The operation manual of your machine and the blade maker's recommendations come first. Band saws for woodworking are out of scope (the legal provisions also differ)

Daily (including before start of shift)

Check the band saw blade for chipped teeth, cracks, and wearCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkTooth tips, gullets, blade back, weldGuidelineNo chipped or missing teeth. No cracks in the gullets, blade back, or weld. Tooth tips are not rounded off by wearProcedureTurn the power off, then feed the blade slowly by hand and look over the full loop. Wear gloves when handling the blade (see the Safety section)DoALL recommends checking the blade for cracks and loss of sharpness by eye before every use and replacing a damaged blade right away. HOZAN's daily inspection of its small band saw also lists "is the blade broken or chipped?" first. Starrett treats fine cracks in the blade back as a sign it is time to replace the blade. Do not use a blade with cracks or kinks (see the Blade Care section)^[1][2][3]
Check the blade tension and the blade position on the wheels (tracking)CommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkTensioning device (tension scale, hydraulic tensioning), wheel flangesGuidelineTension is within the range specified by the manufacturer. The blade back is not touching the wheel flangeProcedureRead the tension with a tension gauge attached to the blade (see "Checking tension and guideline values" in the Blade Care section)DoALL recommends checking the blade position on the wheels and the tension before each job. Starrett says tension should match the machine manufacturer's recommendation and should always be verified with a tension gauge. Guideline tension values are in the table in the Blade Care section^[4][3][5]
Check the wheel and blade covers and the safety guardCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkWheel covers, covers over the parts of the blade not used for cutting, blade safety guard (movable guide arm)GuidelineCovers are not loose or broken. The safety guard can be lowered to just above the material being cut and locked in placeProcedureSet the guard height each time the material thickness changes (HOZAN)Band saws (except those for woodworking) must have covers or enclosures over the wheels and over every part of the teeth not needed for cutting (Article 114 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations (Japan)). HOZAN says a guard set too high for the material is dangerous and also leads to blade breakage and a rough cut surface^[6][2][1]
Check for abnormal noise, vibration, or odorCommonBefore start of shiftWhat to checkDrive, wheel bearings, guides, bladeGuidelineNo unusual noise, vibration, or odorHOZAN lists noise, vibration, and odor in its daily inspection and tells users to stop using the machine and request inspection or repair if anything is abnormal. Starrett says a worn blade makes a high-pitched or scraping sound. If you hear a noise, narrow down the cause under "Chatter, vibration, noise" in the troubleshooting quick reference^[2][3]
Clean up chipsCommonAfter use (daily)What to checkBlade path, around the guides, inside the wheel covers, table (vertical)GuidelineNo chips piled up around the guides and wheelsProcedureDo this with the machine stopped. When clearing chips around the blade while the machine is running, use a tool such as a brush (Article 108 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations, see the Safety section)HOZAN asks users to unplug the power cord after use and remove chips and dust. DoALL says chips and cutting fluid residue left on the blade increase friction and wear. WIKUS asks users to remove chips around the saw frame and guides every time the blade is changed. HOZAN says to always switch the power off before removing chips^[2][7][8]
Check for loose screws and knobs and for abnormalities in each partCommonAfter use (daily)What to checkGuide fixing screws, table fixing screws, guard adjustment knob, main body coversGuidelineScrews and knobs are not loose. Parts are correctly installedHOZAN asks users to check after use for loose screws and abnormalities in each part to prepare for the next use. HOZAN warns against cleaning the main body with organic solvents such as thinner, benzine, or alcohol^[2](1 source, for reference)

Every 6 months

Overall preventive maintenance, including the motor, wheels, and bearingsCommonWhat to checkMotor, wheels, bearings, sensors, safety devicesGuidelineNo wear or damage, and the safety covers are fitted and workingDoALL recommends keeping daily, weekly, and monthly inspection checklists and carrying out thorough preventive maintenance at least twice a year. The interval and content follow the machine manufacturer's operation manual first^[4](1 source, for reference)

Other (as needed, first time, etc.)

Check the wear and contact of the chip brush (wire brush)CommonAt blade changeWhat to checkChip brushGuidelineThe brush is not worn down. The bristle tips reach the deepest part of the gulletWIKUS asks users to check the condition and position of the brush at every blade change. DoALL recommends checking that the brush is not worn down and reaches the deepest part of the gullet, and replacing it if it is worn. Starrett also says to set the brush so it presses firmly against the teeth and removes the chips. For the details of setting, see "Chip brush" in the Blade Care section^[8][4][9]
Check the wear and adjustment of the guides (side guides, inserts, back-up guide)CommonAt blade changeWhat to checkLeft and right guide arms, side rollers and inserts, back-up guide (back roller) that supports the blade backGuidelineSide guide clearance is correct (WIKUS gives 0.02–0.05 mm for mechanical guides). Inserts are not loose or tilted. The back-up guide surface has no grooves or cracksWIKUS asks users to check the condition of the guides at every blade change. Starrett says the back-up guide must be smooth, without grooves or cracks, and correctly adjusted, and that if it pushes the blade out, the blade back is damaged. OSG gives 0.3 mm of back roller wear as the limit for replacement^{[8][10][3][11]}
Check the wheels and bearingsCommonAt blade changeWhat to checkWheel surface the blade rides on, flange, bearingsGuidelineThere is a gap between the blade back and the flange (the back does not ride up on the flange). No scratches on the wheel surface. No play in the bearingsWIKUS asks users to stop the machine and check the distance between the blade and the wheel flange, and lists surface damage, tapered wear, bad bearings, and runout as causes of blade breakage. Starrett says to bring the blade back as close to the flange as possible without touching it. DoALL says poor wheel dressing and poor tracking lead to uneven blade wear and breakage. For resurfacing or replacing a wheel, have the manufacturer service it^{[8][10][3][7]}
Check the concentration and amount of cutting fluid (water-soluble) and the nozzle directionCommonAt blade changeWhat to checkCutting fluid tank, nozzleGuidelineConcentration is within the range recommended by the blade and cutting fluid makers. Fluid from the nozzle hits the bladeProcedurePut a few drops on a refractometer, read it, and multiply by the factor for the product to get the concentration (vol %) (WIKUS)WIKUS recommends that when using a new blade, you check the oil content of the cutting fluid (emulsion) with a handheld refractometer and adjust it if needed. Starrett also says to set where the fluid hits and the mixing ratio, when mounting the blade, according to the recommendations of the machine, fluid, and blade makers. OSG lists an improper amount or concentration of cutting fluid as a cause of blade body breakage. Some small machines run dry (no cutting fluid). Follow the machine's operation manual^{[12][13][9][11]}
Check the hydraulic fluid level (feed, vise, tension) and the vise clampingHorizontalAt blade changeWhat to checkHydraulic unit level gauge, vise (workpiece clamp)GuidelineHydraulic fluid is at the specified level. The material does not move in the viseStarrett lists checking the hydraulic fluid level on hydraulic machines when mounting a blade. OSG lists low vise clamping force as a cause of chipped teeth and gives cleaning the vise surface, checking the hydraulic pressure, and changing the hydraulic fluid as remedies^[9][14]

📚Sources

Items without a mark are those confirmed by two or more sources from different publishers. Intervals, oil types and values: the specification for each machine takes priority. The text is summarized in Kezuriba's own words.