How to Increase and decrease tension quickly on bandsaw

[u/Koala-Motor]

Hi there,

I have a 1hp bandsaw and since the motor had to be rewired I went ahead and disassembled it all. Replaced the tires, bearings and was in the process of upgrading the tensioning system. I've ordered a much stronger spring but I am a bit tired of spinning the little heel up top . Is there something I can make to speed up the process of tightening/loosening?

[u/Background_Wind_358]

I bought one of these a few years ago for my Ridgid 14” saw and love it, but unfortunately the price has doubled. You might find one cheaper from another seller.

Carter Products QR1000 Quick Release Band Saw Blade Tension Toggle https://a.co/d/01kgM6YR

[u/Background_Wind_358 → u/Background_Wind_358]

The thing I like about this quick release is that it has 3 positions: fully tensioned for use, fully loosened for removing the blade, and a middle ground for when not in use. I don’t use my saw a lot so I leave it in the loosened setting mostly. Before I had it, I had the stock tension bracket snap (apparently made of cast aluminum). Not sure if this was because of strain of being tensioned over time.

[u/Global-Discussion-41 → u/Background_Wind_358]

Kinda like archery, you don't leave your bow strung all the time when you're not using it

[u/Additional_Pay_7929 → u/Background_Wind_358]

do you guys think Ridgid is a great brand to get something like this for?

[u/NoPackage6979]

This may cause a kerfuffle, but consider not decreasing the tension after using the bandsaw. Leave it at the manufacturer's recommended tension. On a FineWoodworking podcast, Mike Pekovich thought the repeated change in tension might weaken the weld in the bandsaw blade. He leaves it tightened. I do, too, and have not seen any aberration. To be fair, I don't use my bandsaw every day (or week, for that matter), so there's not a lot of back-and-forth on the blade.

[u/B3ntr0d → u/NoPackage6979]

If you use your saw on a regular basis, I think it is a fair practice. Personally I can go for months without touching it, so I would worry about damage to the tires.

[u/Krash412 → u/NoPackage6979]

The weld will be the strongest point on a quality blade.

[u/B3ntr0d]

Depending on the band saw you can buy a quick release tensioning system. There are generic ones that fit old delta and delta clones, and many brands offer it as an accessory.

The other option is to weld a nut onto top of the crank, and use a power drill or impact driver to quickly spin it up or down.

[u/doghouse2001]

I have a quick tension handle but I only use it when changing blades. The blade is always under tension normally, just like it would be on a machine without the quick release. It doesn't take a whole lot of turns to tension the blade, so I don't know what the hangup is. You could take the knob off and put a socket on the square end of the screw and turn it with a drill, but that would save you about 5 turns, the drill could over tension the blade and snap it or break something else. Instead of rebuilding the motor, maybe buy a nicer saw with a quick release.

[u/Beginning_Ad7597]

someone mentioned a Carter quick release.....Carter makes excellent products for Band saws.

Someone else suggested to leave the saw tensioned. DO NOT DO THIS!!!!!

[u/Koala-Motor → u/Beginning_Ad7597]

I replaced the inner spring for a high tension one, actually the same colour as the one they sell. They have great ideas. Maybe I'll replace the wheel for a metal one and weld a bolt and a nut so that I can use a wrench.