Blade Folding..Why can't I get it?

dirtymartini · July 22, 2018, 09:39:30 PM

I have watched the video on Wood Mizer's website and also saw a video here showing how to do it. I tried about ten times today and just wasn't getting it. I have about a dozen blades to send to re-sharp and need to get them folded.

jason.weir · July 22, 2018, 09:53:43 PM

I haven't watched Woodmizer's video but I'll see if I can describe how I do it.

I hold the blade in my outstretched left hand teeth facing away from me with the blade hanging straight down

I step on the blade on the ground and pull up with my left hand while rotating the blade about the vertical axis

as I get the blade rotated almost 180 degrees, I start bringing it down towards my feet.

This is where its hard to describe, but the blade just starts to fold up.

Keep trying..

Jason

Southside · July 22, 2018, 09:57:03 PM

Are you trying to roll it into a circle or use the flat pack / clip box?

Banjo picker · July 22, 2018, 10:22:57 PM

I was taught to take the band in both hands, holding it straight out in front of you, teeth down. Have your hands about 18"s or so away from your sides, the back of the band will be under your table muscle... (belly) ...Have on gloves. Give the band a little snap so the part away from you goes down, and the band will roll into a nice circle. It would be easier to learn on a thinner band, say .42 or so instead of the heaver ones like .50 or .55. Banjo

low_48 · July 22, 2018, 10:42:52 PM

How bloody are you by now? As mentioned practice on something smaller. Get a cheap little bandsaw blade from the box store to practice on. Once you get confident, start with the mill blades.

Doug Wis · July 22, 2018, 10:48:08 PM

My first mill was a keenerbuilt with a 13' 6" blade. Never could get figure out how fold that. Then got the TK 1600 with a 16'6" blade . Coiled it up like a pro the first try. Think the width and thickness were the same. Must have been the extra length that gave me more to work with. keep trying.

PAmizerman · July 22, 2018, 10:54:48 PM

It's kinda hard to explain. Once you figure it out it just comes naturally

I've always done it teeth up for some reason. Maybe I'll try teeth down next time.

The spacing between your hands is important. I'll measure tomorrow to see where I hold it. Once you do it you will know by feel where to grab.

Hold the band in front of you with arms outstretched. Roll you're wrists inward and down in a quick snapping motion. At this point it will be half coiled and pull the bottom loop to finish.

Not sure if this helps. Hand spacing on the band has a lot to do with it.

Crossroads · July 22, 2018, 11:44:00 PM

I do it the same as banjo, only with the teeth up. If you want to make a fellow scratch his head, it works with chainsaw chains also 😋
The part I need to figure out is unfolding them. They cut me every time, then I started just throwing them up in the air, out in the yard. Boing, unfolded 😬

redbeard · July 23, 2018, 12:18:18 AM

With blade extended out 90° in front of you with teeth facing up to the sky, thumbs on the teeth, your left hand over right hand as you flip.

Super Easy Bandsaw Blade Unfolding Tip - YouTube

rjwoelk · July 23, 2018, 01:31:10 AM

Last one was very good.

Satamax · July 23, 2018, 02:03:27 AM

Few years back, someone had a very good video with a simple trick about this, here. Can't remember tho.

This one is simple.

Folding a Band Saw Blade, - YouTube

dirtymartini · July 23, 2018, 05:41:42 AM

Quote from: Southside logger on July 22, 2018, 09:57:03 PM
Are you trying to roll it into a circle or use the flat pack / clip box?

I was trying the method I saw on Wood Mizer's website...Hold it out in front of you, swing it down while crossing you arms...

dirtymartini · July 23, 2018, 05:51:50 AM

Quote from: redbeard on July 23, 2018, 12:18:18 AM
With blade extended out 90° in front of you with teeth facing up to the sky, thumbs on the teeth, your left hand over right hand as you flip.

Super Easy Bandsaw Blade Unfolding Tip - YouTube

This guy makes it look so easy...and it probably is, I just haven't found the knack yet. The good thing is I haven't bloodied myself yet

If it ever stops raining here I'll try it again.

Satamax · July 23, 2018, 06:26:34 AM

Quote from: dirtymartini on July 23, 2018, 05:41:42 AM
Quote from: Southside logger on July 22, 2018, 09:57:03 PM
Are you trying to roll it into a circle or use the flat pack / clip box?
I was trying the method I saw on Wood Mizer's website...Hold it out in front of you, swing it down while crossing you arms...

I think the method i have posted the video of is simpler.
Myself, i don't do it this way.
I step on it, put my two hands on the blade, not far from each other, and twist the blade, like if i was decelerating on a motorcycle. one whole turn and a half, done. Tho, the other method seems easier.

PA_Walnut · July 23, 2018, 06:39:26 AM

I use Satamax's method, but I gotta learn that Swede's technique...it's gotta be Vodka inspired!

:D

bandmiller2 · July 23, 2018, 06:46:19 AM

If you have a large vee belt practice with that, no blood. Frank C.

Chuck White · July 23, 2018, 06:57:10 AM

.

Chuck White · July 23, 2018, 06:58:59 AM

Here's one I posted a few days ago!

Another "How To" video at post #42.

http://forestryforum.com/board/index.php/topic,73467.40.html

SawyerTed · July 23, 2018, 07:13:05 AM

Excellent demonstration and instructions Chuck!

69bronco · July 23, 2018, 07:53:36 AM

I just put them in bunches of ten, one inside the other. Squeeze the bunch together and put the provided ring on, slide the whole bunch in the flat pack box provided from re-sharp.

Remle · July 23, 2018, 08:43:57 AM

I prefer a simpler slow motion way of folding blades. Yes, I bravely started out by throwing the blade around until one broke from a stress crack, did a few dance moves that would have impressed John Travolta.
Start with 1/3 of the blade between your hands, teeth up, hands on the out side with fingers up to the inside, leave your palm open. Rest the blade against your stomach, lower the free end up against a solid object about 1' off the floor/ground. Take one step forward, as you do raise your arms and bring them together in front of you. The blade will curl across making loops and the end against your stomach will fall down and away forming a loop, gather up the loops. Now for the disclaimer, try it at your own risk, just start out slow. For me it is a controlled slow motion way motion way to fold up blades.

Crossroads · July 23, 2018, 10:10:48 AM

On a side note, I ship them in a flat box for resharp. I fold them as they come off the mill at mobile jobs because they take up a little less space in the pickup. Besides, it typically gets a little bit of "wow affect" from the customers who have never seen it done.

dirtymartini · July 23, 2018, 05:28:46 PM

I finally got it! It stopped raining for 5 minutes :D so outside I went to give it another try. I realized I wasn't rotating my wrists outward like I saw in the Swede's video. Once I did that it was a piece of cake 8)
I'll get lots of practice, I have about a dozen to go to re-sharp and I have a 50% off coupon!!!

Thanks to all who replied and gave advice, it was a big help.