Record BS250 10" Bandsaw

"Assume that all power tools are trying to kill you, and all hand tools are blood-seeking opportunists" Mike T. 2023

This machine uses a powerful motor to spin an exposed blade. Band saws are capable of causing life-changing injuries which occur in a fraction of a second. You are responsible for ensuring your own safety; do not operate this machine if you do not feel capable of doing so safely. Trainers will always be happy to assist you if you need it, and would much rather be involved before problems occur, than after.

Ground Rules:

• Only those who have been trained by the room lead, and have signed a usage agreement, are permitted to operate the machine.
• Keep your hands well away from the blade.
• Remove or tuck-in any loose items of clothing, so that they do not catch the blade.
• Always wear safety glasses and hearing protection while operating the machine.
• Never cut materials in the air, suspended above the table. This can catch on the blade and cause serious injury, and snap the blade.
• Never cut circular material on edge. This can easily catch and pull your hand into the blade.
• Always use the dust-extractor when using this machine.
• Never reach between the blade and the column while the blade is spinning.
• This machine is intended for cutting wood and soft plastics only.
• Always de-tension the blade after you are finished.

Key Specs:

• Motor:
  • 200w (0.25hp)
  • No-load blade speed: 740 m/min
• Blades:
  • Length: 1790mm
  • Width: 6mm - 13mm (1/4” - 1/2”)
  • Blade Tilt: Up to 45 degrees
  • Max cutting depth: 120mm
• Capacity:
  • Table size: 315 x 350mm
  • Throat depth: 240mm
  • Max width (blade to rip fence): 140mm
  • Table height (from base): 370mm

Useful Things to Know:

• The blade will continue spinning for a significant amount of time after the machine has been switched off.
• The blade guide should be lowered close to the top surface of the board being cut. This will reduce unnecessary exposed blade, and keep the cut more stable.

Usage:

Straight Cuts:

Bandsaws can make straight cuts, but they do not give a good surface finish. Smoothing will be required for most purposes as an additional step.

• Set the fence at the desired position, as parallel to the blade as possible.
• Gently push the board through the blade. This saw is not especially powerful, so a conservative feed rate is important.
  • If the motor significantly slows or stalls, reduce the pressure used to push the board into the blade.
• Use a push-stick to push the last part of the board through the cut, or reach around the open side to pull the board through.

Curved Cuts:

Unlike a table saw, a bandsaw can cut curves. This is relatively safe, because the exposed blade is always moving downwards, so the workpiece cannot catch and be kicked back towards you.

• Remove the fence from the table.
• Try to turn the board smoothly, without pushing sideways on the blade.
• Remember than the wider the blade, the larger the minimum radius it can cut.
• Do not try to force a wide blade to cut a tight curve. This will result in the blade wearing out or snapping.

Changing Blades:

Users should not need to change blades, please talk to the room lead if you find that you need to.

Blade Change Process:

• Remove the measuring bar from the front of the table.
• Remove the bolt from the front edge of the table.
• De-tension the blade by turning the knob on the top of the saw.
• Open both front panels by turning the knobs 90 degrees.
• Pull the blade out of the front of the saw, being careful to not catch other parts of the saw.
• Install the new blade in reverse of how the first blade was removed.
• Set the tracking of the new blade.
• Set the blade guides for the new blade.

Blade Tracking Adjustment:

• TODO

Blade Guide Adjustment:

Top Guide:

• TODO

Bottom Guide:

• TODO