Delta 20-400 User Manual

14

Turn the stock carefully so that the blade follows 

without twisting. For very abrupt curves, consider 

using a narrower blade, or a blade with more set. 

Another solution to this problem is to make relief cuts 

(Figure 16) 
When you withdraw the workpiece or change the cut, 

be careful not to accidentally pull the blade off of the 

wheels. The preference is to turn the stock and saw out 

through the waste material.

Disconnect the machine from the power 

source before making any adjustments!

See Figure 17 (show set up as in sample to the 

rightCaption: A standard blade should have 

approximately 1/4" deflection on either side.) 
Unless you have a tension meter, achieving optimum 

blade tension is a matter of trial and error. There are a 

number of suggested methods for achieving the proper 

tension.
Most blade manufacturers recommend 15,000 psi to 

20,000 psi for a common carbon-steel blade. Stronger 

bimetal, spring-steel, and carbide-tipped blades 

generally require 25,000 psi to 30,000 psi. The tighter 

the blade is stretched, the more rigid it becomes and 

the less tendency it will have to deflect in the cut.
It should be noted that maximum blade tension is 

only required for the most demanding cuts, such as 

re-sawing dense hardwoods or stock of maximum 

thickness.
NOTE: DELTA

®

 Timber Wolf

®

 band saw blades are 

recommended as they are designed to operate with 

less tension, thus increasing their serviceable life. 

Follow the tensioning directions on the package
To check and adjust the blade tension on your DELTA

®

 

14" Steel Frame Band Saw, do the following: 

Disconnect the machine from the power 

source before making any adjustments!

•  Set the upper blade guide assembly about 6 in. off 

the table. 

•  Use a moderate amount of pressure with your index 

finger to push the blade sideways in both directions. 

The blade should not deflect more than 1/4" in either 

direction. 

•  If the blade deflects more than 1/4", increase 

the tension on the blade by tightening the blade 

tensioning knob at the top of the machine (refer to B 

in Figure 6, page 9).

•  If the blade does not deflect at all, it may be too tight. 

Loosen the blade tensioning knob slightly until there 

is a minimal amount of deflection.