Headsaw tension

[bandmiller2]

When I sold my circular mill 24 years ago,I kept my spare blade,figured I'd be at it again someday.It had new shanks and bits and was hammered for 550rpm and never run just stored upright in a dry shed.Does anyone know, will a saw loose tension just sitting??Suppose theirs only one way to know for sure.What material do you guys use for the saw guides,I used to use something that looked like graphite,they clamed it wouldn't heat the saw.Frank C.

[sjh]

My saw doc told me if it is the wood box or held some how it will be ok. The blade will bend (very slightly)and loose tension if it is just leaned up against a wall.

[Ron Wenrich]

I agree that if its on a board, you should be OK.

As for guides, I use some sort of composite material that holds up real well.  I've also used locust and hickory.  Oak seems to break apart.  I imagine you can use anything that is rigid enough to take a little wear. 

[Jeff]

Yep, if its in a saw box or on a saw board it will be fine.  The guides on the first mill I ran, a renco, were nothing more then chunks of rake or shovel hickory handles that shoved in a pipe holder of the correct I.D.  The last ones I ran were hardwood guides with a thin brass sleeves. Long lasting, usually months. The hickory handle variety sometimes only weeks or less.

[Jeff]

Blast from the Past

Guide Pins

[bandmiller2]

Thanks guys,put that blade on the arbor and set the lead 1/32" to try.Saw seems to run OK but its hard to tell no throttle yet,hand on governor,haven't put tach on the shaft yet.