Woodworking

Woodworking tips and information about tools, DYI tool repairs, woodworking techniques, and lots of other valuable info will be collected on this page. We welcome our Central Texas woodworking community to submit new ideas, articles, and woodworking photos. Show off something you've made, or tell us about a new joinery or finishing system. We will provide name credit for everything published here. We've started this off with an article from local artist Ebbesen Davis about installing bandsaw blades. Check it out, you will probably need these instructions some day, if you own a band saw.

 

Install new band saw tires in 10 easy steps  by Ebbesen Davis

1. New tires can be installed without removing your band saw’s wheels. Often, you will be installing new tires because one has broken apart, and the other is in bad shape.
2. Open the upper and lower blade covers and use a brush and a vacuum to remove all the sawdust and debris from your inside your band saw. After that, remove the old tires by pushing the flat blade of a straight screwdriver under each tire, and using a leveraging motion against the wheel rim to pry off the old tires. 
3. Carefully clean any gum or glue residue from the outer surfaces of your band saw’s wheels, being careful not to scratch them. 
4. Inspect the bearings by spinning the wheels to see and hear how smoothly they rotate. If your wheels need new bearings, this is a good time to replace them because worn out bearings can prevent your blade from tracking evenly. 
5. Heat 4 to 6 quarts of water in a cooking pot to about 135 degrees F, and add a single drop of liquid dish detergent. I like to use Dawn, but Ivory detergent works just as well. Stir this into the water. Even though you’ve only added one drop, the water will suds up. The heat softens the tires, allowing them to stretch easily. The detergent breaks down the surface tension of the water, and helps the tires slide more smoothly onto the wheels. Because only one drop is used, it won't cause the tires to slip after they have cooled, dried out, and tightened into place.
6. Thermometers can vary, so test the water temperature to make sure it isn’t too hot for you. If it is, allow it to cool down a little, until you find it more comfortable. The water should be a bit cooler than the hottest temperature you can stand. For most people, that's around 135 degrees.
7. Place the two new tires in the hot water and allow them to soften for several minutes. After they are warmed up, you will be able to stretch them easily onto your bandsaw’s wheels.
8. Making sure in advance that your pathway is clear and anyone nearby is fairly warned, carefully carry the pan, water and band saw tires to a bench or table near your saw.
9. Remove the first tire from the hot water, and stretch it over the top of the upper wheel. Alternately pull each side down a little until the tire is fully mounted on the wheel. Follow through by rotating the wheel completely, and making sure the tire is neatly seated all the way around the wheel, between the wheels edges. Repeat these steps for the lower wheel.
10. Because modern band saw tires are made from a material which grips the wheels tightly, no adhesive is needed to hold them in place. In general, you should allow the wheels to dry thoroughly for 24 hours before using the saw again.