Band Saw Blade Tension Meter

[MobileSawMilSlo]

Hi

I just got the option to get several pieces of the band saw blade tension meter. Suitable for bands up to 2,5 inches.
Tension meter is produced in Europe and the measurement is displayed in MPa.

Ordered first for my self and I can say that it is a very good product, strong and made from aluminum.

If anybody is interested from EU or USA let me know. The price is about 200$.



 

[donbj]

What brand is this? A tension meter is definitely the most accurate method for adjusting blade tension. I see you're in Europe, shipping could get expensive to here I would imagine.

[redbeard]

Cooks saw mfg. Sells a really nice tension meter that is very accurate and good quality!  they are also a forestry forum sponsor 

[Nomad]

WoodMizer also sells one.  Part number WMBTG. 

[Pabene]

I agree it is good to be able to check the blade tension.
The  blade manufacturer reccomends a tension good for theyr blades.  Sometimes it is a tension higher than the mill can handle. It was the case for me. The reccomended tension is in most cases, such it will prolong the blade 1/1000 of the checked length. As the blade body steel is more or less the same for most blades iit is a good rule.

 A way to perform a tension check without to spend money on a tension meter can be like this:
Fasten a rod on the free part of the blade as shown on the scetch. If the distace between the clamp points would be 1000 mm. You will measure 1 mm difference from no tension to correct tension.

[Ben Cut-wright]

(1000mm/3') length of blade stretched (1mm/.040") = correct strain  ?

[GAB]

(1000mm/3') length of blade stretched (1mm/.040") = correct strain  ?

I think it is supposed to be .001"/".
I was informed that the tension should be 25,000 psi +/- 1000 psi for proper blade tension.
Gerald

[Ben Cut-wright]

(1000mm/3') length of blade stretched (1mm/.040") = correct strain  ?

I think it is supposed to be .001"/".
I was informed that the tension should be 25,000 psi +/- 1000 psi for proper blade tension.
Gerald

You think it is supposed to be .001" over how much length of band?   Does your /" mean (per inch)

I was only attempting to express his information in a more coherent manner, similar to a formula.

[Pabene]

I am sorry if my English to bad to explain thing like this but here is a try add some info.
A tension meter works on the same way as the metod I have shown, but it can be more compact as you have a dial indicator to show the stretch. To clamp a long rod to the blade will improve the accuracy and a caliper can be used to measure the stretch distance with good results.
A tension force, as will prolong or stretch the blade .001"/", is about 10% of the force as would break the blade. The force to give the correct tension to the blade is different for each blade dimension. The wider and thicker the blades are the more force has to be created by the blade tension system in the mill.  If I remember will a 1 1/2" blade (38 mm) need a tension force of about 1000 pound. The load on the mill bearings are similary to the load on wheel bearings for a pickup truck.