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Sawing Machines FAQ

Q: How to Safely Use Bandsaws

Bandsaws are powerful machines used in various applications and industries, from aerospace and automobile manufacturing to medical device industries and much more.  READ MORE

Q: Different Types of Bandsaw Machines

You can choose from a wide range of bandsaw types for your industrial metalworking and manufacturing needs. Different types of bandsaw machines can handle unique projects. READ MORE

Q: How Long Do Bandsaw Blades Last?

Bandsaw blades are powerful cutting tools, allowing several industries to cut curved and irregular shapes into many types of materials, including metal. However, like all tools, they eventually reach the end of their lifespan and need replacing. READ MORE

Q: Why are stainless steels such a problem to cut?

Stainless steels may work harden if not machined aggressively. Teeth that rub without cutting can create heat and harden the surface enough to make it impenetrable. Excessive band speed, dull teeth, a blade with too many teeth per inch, and light feed force are among the most common contributors to work hardening.

Q: Why do chips pile up where the band enters the work?

The band carried those chips out of the work and past a worn, misadjusted, or missing chip brush.  Chips that make it past the pile re-enter the work and clog up the tooth gullets, frequently causing tooth stripping.

Adjust the brush to wipe through—but not above—the blade gullets.

Q: What is the best band tension setting to use?

Follow the machine manufacturer’s instructions.  Band tension stretches the band and keeps it cutting straight despite feed force deflection, but over tensioning causes problems: bands fatigue and break prematurely; band wheels and bearings fail under excessive load, and precise saw head alignments change.

Band saw technicians carry a tensigage (extensometer) to measure band tension.  If you suspect your machine is out of calibration and want to schedule service, call (888)362-5572 x 12022.­­­­

Q: Why does my machine cut out of square?

There are many possible causes. The cure depends on the nature of the problem.

If the saw cuts out-of-square from top to bottom, make sure the saw is level and secure, the loading and discharge conveyors are in the same plane as the vise bed, and that the saw guide inserts, backup bearings, and thumbscrews are in good condition.

If the saw is cutting out of square from side to side, make sure the band wheel and wheel bearings are in good condition. Check whether the saw head is square to the fixed vise, and inspect the head pivot for wear.

If the saw cut is dished, the cause is usually inadequate band tension or excessive feed force. The feed control system may be out of calibration, or perhaps the operator is simply applying too much feed force to a dull blade.

If the problem persists, call SAM at (888)362-5572 x 12024 

Q: The back edges of my used blades have a burr. What causes this?

The band may be tracking heavily against the wheel flanges or saw guide backup bearings due to a misalignment.  This can be caused by worn wheel surfaces, wheel bearings, wheel shafts, backup bearings, or backup bearing pivot bolts.  If you can’t trace the problem to any of these sources, call for service at (888)362­5572 x 12022.

Q: Should I turn off the electrical disconnect when I leave at night?

Yes. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Overnight power surges can destroy invertors and other components. DoALL CPU and pushbutton stations have battery backup to retain memory.

Q: Does it hurt my saw to leave the saw head up at night?

DoALL recommends lowering the saw head at night to relieve pressure on the head lift cylinder seals and packings.

Q: How close should I put my saw guide arm to the work?

Set the saw guide arms as close to the material as possible. Leave just enough clearance for the vises to open. This minimizes band camber deflection under feed force, and that ensures straight cuts. A small excess in the guide arm spacing has a major effect on blade deflection.

Q: My DoALL saw has a servo valve on it. What does it do?

The sawing servo is a hydraulic device that senses and maintains feed force by controlling the travel rate of the saw head. As a result, the saw head travels faster in narrow sections and slower in wider sections. A balance valve performs the same function in newer saws.

Q: How do I know what model of saw I have?

Your saw’s model number, serial number, electrical data, schematic numbers, belt numbers and band length are stamped on an escutcheon plate attached somewhere on the machine. This red plate is roughly six inches square. Used machinery dealers commonly remove the escutcheon.

Q: The rubber tires on my upright saw are imbedded with saw chips. What should I do?

Nothing. The chips actually improve traction, especially when coolants are applied. When you adjust the wheel brush, clear the tire by about 0.005 inch.

Q: Does it matter what type of hydraulic oil I put in my saw?

Yes. Consult your machine manual for the recommended oil. Oil with the wrong aniline point can destroy seals and create oil leaks. An oil of the wrong viscosity can cause a pressure drop, overheating, leakage, and even cavitation, which can destroy the pump.

Q: My saw starts vibrating when cutting. What can I do?

Harmonic vibrations can arise at particular combinations of band speed and tooth spacing. Modern variable pitch blades all but eliminate harmonic vibrations, but in some cases you may need to change the band speed slightly.

High pitched vibrations occur when the blade alternates between penetrating the work and skidding across it. To ensure consistent penetration, you can slow the band speed, increase the feed force, replace a dull blade, and select a blade pitch that engages between 6 and 24 teeth.

Low pitched shuddering or bouncing result from overfeeding. The saw needs some combination of faster band speed and lighter feed force. Make sure the blade engages more than six teeth.

Machine sources of vibration include worn or improperly adjusted saw guide inserts, worn band wheel bearings, shafts, backup bearings, or insert adjusting screws. Low band tension or inadequate band preload may contribute.

Q: My saw starts but wouldn’t stay on. What’s wrong?

Saws are designed to shut off under conditions such as a broken or stalled band, an open wheel door, an expired piece counter, or out-of-stock. Any one of those conditions will interrupt the electrical holding circuit and cause the symptom you describe until you rectify the condition.

Q: Why do my blades break before the teeth wear out?

The most likely causes are excessive band tension or saw head misalignment.  If the saw guide inserts and backups are in good condition, schedule a service call at (888)362-5572 x 12022.

Q: What do the terms feed force, feed rate and cutting rate mean?

  • Feed force is the force exerted on a saw blade to cause it to penetrate the work material.
  • Feed rate is the resulting lineal speed at which the blade penetrates the material.
  • Cutting rate is the area of the cross section the blade cuts in one minute. 

Q: Should I cut my rectangular pieces standing up or laying down?

In general, the saw cuts more accurately when the guide arms are closer together, so normally you would saw the piece standing up. However, other considerations, including safety, may dictate that you lay the work down and cut it across the wider dimension. In either case, your blade should engage between 6 and 24 teeth.

Q: My upright saw slips out of gear when I feed heavily. Any ideas why?

The transmission linkage may be incorrectly adjusted or worn. A woodruff key or roll pin may be broken. Worn bearings inside the transmission can misalign the input and output shafts, but you won’t know without removing and disassembling the transmission.

Q: When do I need to replace my saw guide inserts?

If your cut-off saw is cutting crooked, and you suspect the saw guides, remove the inserts and inspect them for obvious damage. For each pair of inserts, invert one of them and press the pair together with the carbide surfaces in contact. If you can feel or hear them rocking, they are worn. If either pair is worn, replace both pairs. To order parts, have your machine model and serial number handy, and then call (888)362-5572 x 12020.

Q: The head on my saw bounces when it reaches the head up position. It didn’t do this before.

This can occur when the seals wear out and hydraulic oil leaks out of the cylinder. The air causes the bounce as it is compressed under the weight of the saw head. Hydraulic oil needs to be added to the system. Check your saw adjustment summary for the proper procedures.

Q: How can I replace lost machine manuals?

The manuals for many DoALL machines are available free from the DoALL Sawing Products website. If you don’t find your machine listed, you can order manuals, schematics, and other documentation from (888)362-5572 x 12020. Have your machine model and serial number handy.

Revolutionizing the Sawing Industry

DoALL® Sawing Products is the original manufacturer of metal-cutting industrial bandsaws and continues to be an industry leader after more than 97 years. Our company was started by Leighton A. Wilkie in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1927. He invented and manufactured the first metal-cutting bandsaw only six years later.

We have continued to preserve the legacy since then, producing industrial saws that raise the bar for innovation and quality. We're proud of our history as top-of-the-line industrial bandsaw manufacturers. We have accomplished many milestones since DoALL's establishment, such as creating the first:

  • Invented the original metal cutting band saw blade
  • High-friction sawing bandsaw blades.
  • Microprocessor-controlled automatic sawing system.
  • Automatic cold saw.
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