Blade tension and guide roller downforce?

[Leggman]

I have dusted off my mill and am trying to get it tuned in.  So I have a few questions. How much blade tension should I have and how much downforce/deflection should there be from my guide rollers.
I will try to load some pics of what I have now.
I am thinking of making a new set of guide rollers in a bigger diameter just to slow them down a bit.
Thanks.  Dave

[scrout]

My Linn Lumber 190 with 1.25 inch blades recommends 2300 psi from a one inch diameter hydraulic cylinder, with guides mounted 0.25 inches below the level of the band wheels.  I believe you do not need this down spacing if you use guides that have underside support.

[Leggman]

I have been running with my guides on top of the blade? should I lower them to the bottom of the blade?

[Kbeitz]

After you have your blade tension then you need 1/4" downforce/deflection from the blade guides.

[Ox]

Just remember you won't get that kind of tension in the blade running tires.  The guys are right with the 1/4" down pressure on the guides.  This is what most of them run, in my understanding.  It's what I run as well.

To set up the mill, I put the blade on, tension to around 2300 lbs on the gauge, then push down the guide rollers to get my 1/4" down, flat, and level on the blade.  This is after the blade is running straight and true on the bandwheels under full tension at around 2300.  Don't know if this is right, wrong, or otherwise but it makes me straight lumber. 

[gww]

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gww