
The Complete Bandsaw Inspection Guide
5 Jun 2025
Complete Bandsaw Inspection
by BAHCO
1

Chip Brush
Items checked / procedure
Check the condition of the chip brush, replace when needed.
Potential Issues
Tooth breakage, rough cutting and premature wear of tooth.
Items checked / procedure
Measure tension with a tension meter and record the measurement. The correct tension for both carbide and bi-metal blades should be between 250 - 330 N/mm2, depending on the size of the blade and machine type.
Potential Issues
Blade breakage, crooked cutting, vibration and slippage between the band and the wheel.
2

Blade Tension
3

Blade Speed
Items checked / procedure
Verify the operation of band speed controls and speed indicators.
Potential Issues
Tooth damage, crooked cutting, premature tooth wear.
Items checked / procedure
Down feed is measured in mm/min. If the machine does not have a reading, you can measure it yourself. See how far the head drops in 1 minute, it is useful to put a magnet on the column and measure there.
4

Machine Feed
5

Coolant Flow
Items checked / procedure
Verify coolant flow from all hoses and ports. Check coolant concentration with a refractometer. We recommend a 7% for Bi-metal and 10% for Carbide concentration minimum.
Potential Issues
Premature tooth wear, tooth breakage and crooked cutting.
Items checked / procedure
Disassemble guides, check for cracks and/or chips. Carbide guide surface should be higher than surface of the steel holder. Look for excessive wear on the corners of the carbides.
Bearing type guides should be checked for looseness between the centre shaft or post and outer bearing surface. Make sure the bearings turn freely.
Potential Issues
Band breakage, crooked cuts, blade vibration. Tight roller guides will pull the blade off the idler wheel. Blade should slip freely between guide rollers.
6

Guides
7

Blade Tracking
Items checked / procedure
Inspect the band position on the band wheels, the blade must not touch the wheel flange. The blade should be positioned in a way that the largest portion of the blade body is supported by the wheel surface.
Potential Issues
Band breakage and/or cracking. Crooked cutting, caused by set damage or blade twist. Wheel damage of flange wear.
Items checked / procedure
Inspect for flat spots on the wheel surfaces. Rock wheels side to side for bearing play.
Potential Issues
Band breakage, blade slip.
8

Wheel Bearings
9

Stock Feed
Items checked / procedure
Verify correct sequence of stock feed system making sure blade is clear of stock during auto feed cycle.
Potential Issues
Blade breakage and or tooth damage.
Items checked / procedure
Verify condition and operation of saw clamp and feed clamps, list problems found.
Potential Issues
Blade breakage, crooked cutting, blade breakage.
10

Clamping
11

Drive Mechanics
Items checked / procedure
Check condition of all drive belts. List any fluid leaks in drive gear box. Report all unusual gear or bearing sounds. Check for smooth running on all parts.
Potential Issues
Tooth damage, crooked cutting.
Items checked / procedure
Check hydraulic fluid level. Check oil level in all air oilers. Check gearbox oil level.
Potential Issues
Erratic operation of saw arm. Wrong blade tension. Erratic blade speed control.
12

Hydraulic Fluid
13

Lubrication
Items checked / procedure
Check lubrication. These need to be filled with lube oil.
Potential Issues
Erratic operation of saw arm, bridge, guides or other parts of the sawing machine that need to be lubricated.