Operating the Horizontal Bandsaw

The following outlines basic operation and etiquette for making cuts on the horizontal bandsaw.

Step 1: Area and Machine Preparation

1. Make sure there is sufficient room around the saw for your workpiece.
2. Set the feed selector to HOLD.
3. Turn the feed rate knob to zero.
4. Raise the blade above your material.
5. Press the e-stop.
6. Brush out the vise.
7. Adjust the blade guides for large material.
8. Put the material in the vise and tighten it.
9. Determine blade speed from the chart.

Step 2: Making the Cut

1. Press the green BAND/CYCLE START button.
2. Adjust the blade speed.
3. Wait for coolant to start flowing.
   • Don't use coolant for cutting plastic.
4. Turn the feed rate selector to FEED.
5. Slowly increase the feed rate by rotating the feed rate knob.
   • The arm will start to drop at the set rate.
   • The blade should gently contact the material.
6. When the saw cuts all the way through the material, the saw will turn off.
   • If needed, press the red BAND/CYCLE STOP button.

Step 3: Cleanup

1. Return the blade guide to 6" if needed.
2. Lower the saw arm.
3. Set the feed selector to HOLD.
4. Set the feed rate to zero.
5. Brush off the vise and clean up the area.
6. Use Simple Green and shop rags on coolant spills.
   • Place the dirty rags in the red step cans for laundering.
7. Recycle scraps and put reusable pieces in the storage bin in the metal shop.

Step 4: Print Out This Guide

This course is available as a PDF that is attached to this step. Enjoy the horizontal band saw safely!