Bandsaw blade drift

What you see

1. The blade wanders off the line, or pulls the cut to one side, even with the work against the fence. Makers call it drift or lead.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 3]

Likely causes

Most-agreed first: the more makers name a cause, the higher it sits.

1. The blade is too loosely tensioned.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 4]

2. The blade is dull or damaged.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 4]

3. The blade is too narrow for a straight cut; narrow blades wander more.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 3]

4. The blade guides or support bearings are set wrong.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 4]

5. Feeding too fast or pushing too hard.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and JET (JPW Industries) , sources [1, 2]

6. Uneven tooth set, or teeth sharper on one side.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and JET (JPW Industries) , sources [1, 2]

7. The fence is not parallel to the blade and miter slot.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and JET (JPW Industries) , sources [1, 2]

8. The wheels are out of line, or the tires are worn or caked with sawdust.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and Laguna Tools , sources [1, 3]

How to tell which

1. Saw freehand along a straight pencil line on scrap and stop halfway: the angle you had to feed at to stay on the line is the drift.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and Laguna Tools , sources [1, 3]

What to change

Change one thing at a time, so you know which change fixed it.

1. For straight cuts and resawing, use the widest blade the cut allows.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 3]

2. First make sure the blade is sharp, properly tensioned and the guides are set.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and JET (JPW Industries) , sources [1, 2]

3. If it still drifts, set the fence at the drift angle (or shift the table) and re-check after a few cuts.

   Two sources: Grizzly Industrial and Laguna Tools , sources [1, 3]