Ask the Expert
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Michael Van Pelt is the founder of American Sycamore Woodworker’s Retreat. He has a reputation as the tool guru. Mike has been in woodworking for over thirty years. His knowledge of tools comes from his many years of intertwining experience in the woodworking industry. Mike’s experiences include being active as an Industrial Arts Teacher, professional instructor of power machinery and tool techniques, tool sales, management and owner of woodworking tool retail store, Delta Machinery representative and technical advisory.
If you have a question for Michael, choose the Submit Question button to the right by November 30th. We will send you a reply with Mike's response in mid-December and then post it to this page for other members to view. You never know...someone else may have the same question
IF YOU HAVE A PRODUCT RELATED QUESTION, PLEASE USE OUR CONTACT US FORM FOR AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE. THIS SECTION IS RESERVED FOR GENERAL WOODWORKING RELATED QUESTIONS.
Listed below are questions and answers that have already been submitted.
Questions
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9/20/2009
Band Saw Blade Tension
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
How do you know if you have the right tension on the blade? Is there a magic way to make sure that the blade is tensioned enough? |
| A. |
The scale on the bandsaw is what I call “hand grenade” close! It is just a rough indicator and depending on the size and style of the blade, the actual blade will dictate the correct tension. You want the blade to be fairly taunt in order to cut straight but not too tight to break blades and also cause a tracking problem. The sound of a correct tensioned blade is hard to describe in words, it is a sound that must be learned from experience. Ask a knowledgeable friend to show you or visit your local tool store and ask them for a demonstration. |
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9/20/2009
Table Saw Blade
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I read the answer regarding the 35 yr old Rockwell table saw with the 9 in blade. However, I was wondering if a 10 in blade will work. It does fit. But, will it draw too much current? |
| A. |
The 10” blade will most likely not draw any more amps and will not be a problem. The only consideration will be that you will not be able to lower the 10” blade all the way down into the saw for a shallow cut. Good luck and happy woodworking. |
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6/24/2009
Folding a Band Saw Blade
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
What is the proper way to fold a bandsaw blade? I saw an article about this in one of my recent publications, but have mislaid it. |
| A. |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z45BIMQ3WlM
Please click on the above link and take a look. As they say “A picture is worth
a 100 words!” |
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6/24/2009
Blade Cleaning
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I had used oven cleaner for many years to clean saw blades and router bits until I was in attendance at one of your shows in Milwaukee a few years ago. You said oven cleaner can deteriorate the glue in carbide tip blades and bits. Did I hear you right? I thought these tips were welded on. Or is it a combination of both? |
| A. |
As I
understand it, oven cleaner attacks the bonding agent in the weld used to keep
the teeth on the blade. I use hot water and Simple Green and then dry good and
spray with Top Coat or Boeshield. To double check and make sure that there has
been no change to this practice; I called and talked with Mike at Freud. Mike
says that the oven cleaner will not hurt the carbide, but the oven cleaner
attacks the silver lining under the teeth and the acid will eat away that
bonding. In conclusion: Do not Use Oven Cleaner to clean sawblades. |
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6/24/2009
Best All Purpose Blade
Answer provided by Mike Van Pelt
| Q. |
I have a 14" bandsaw and I don't do a lot of any one task very often so I want your advice on the best all-round blade to use. |
| A. |
I use and
recommend for general purpose a ¼” wide with 6 teeth per inch with a skip
pattern. This is the most used blade in the shop other than the ¾” wide 3 teeth
per inch that I use for resaw work. |
