A bandsaw is a great tool to have, but getting the blade tension set simply and accurately was a chore - until now!

Buy your DFJ T-Shirt, Cap, or Coffee Mug at https.//www.dirtfarmerjay.com/shop

#bandsawblade #bandsaw

We love having a bandsaw in our shop. It’s several years old but still serves us well. It has the old-style blade tensioner turn knob (newer styles have instant release/tensioner levers). Whether your machine is old or new, getting the blade tension set correctly is important to get accurate cuts.

There are various methods to do this, but due to a recent tool review in Fine Woodworking magazine, we’ve added a simple and effective tool that allows us to quickly set tensions for various width blades. It is called the EZTension Gauge, and at $40, it’s a bargain.

We learned about this great tool from a review in Fine Woodworking magazine, #281-Mar/Apr 2020 issue. The EZTension® is made in the U.S.A, by Mark Juliana. Mark is the Facilities Manager (as well as one of the Instructors) at the Center For Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport, ME. It’s been said that “necessity is the mother of invention,” and the EZTension® story supports that notion.

With 6 bandsaws of varying age, condition, and accuracy of tension setting, it was a daunting task to keep all six saws set properly. After several prototypes and tests, the EZTension® gauge was put on the market. You can purchase one at EZTension.com.

The gauge works using a fulcrum. A magnet is situated at each end of the tool, along with an adjustable post in the middle that acts as a fulcrum. The post is set to different heights depending on what the width of the blade is, and there are gauges included to accomplish this. The tool is affixed to your pre-tensioned blade using the two magnets. The blade is then tensioned to right at 15,000 psi. When one of the magnets releases the blade, the tension is correct. Easy-peasy!

If you are using the increasingly popular Timberwolf Blades, they need to be tensioned a bit differently, but that’s easy to do. Simply use the next size down on the setup gauge that comes with the tool. So, if you are going to tension a ½” TimberWolf® blade, use the setting for ⅜” and you’ll have it just right.

Bimetal blades can’t be tensioned properly with this device as the magnets won’t grip with the same tenacity as carbon steel blades. Mark has created a workaround to that. He simply uses the same sized regular carbon blade, tensions it correctly, The EZTension® comes in both a mini and regular version. To use the regular version, you need about 6” (15 cm) of blade exposure for it to work. If you have a benchtop or small band saw, the mini is for you. To use the mini, you’ll need 4” (10 cm) of exposed blade. The mini will correctly set blade tension for ¼” through ⅜” blades, while the regular/original version will set blades from ¼” to ¾”.

To see Roland Johnson’s review in Fine Woodworking, visit
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2020/...


Buy your DFJ T-Shirt, Cap, or Coffee Mug at https.//www.dirtfarmerjay.com/shop

Follow us on Social Media to know when we’re building projects or releasing new episodes!

Instagram:   / dirtfarmerj  
Facebook:   / dirtfarmerjay  

You can help support this channel by buying our merchandise or supporting us on Throne or Patreon

Patreon:   / dirtfarmerjay