Dake Tips: How To Change a J-Saw Bandsaw Blade

The J-Saw model band saw is a mighty machine however, it is also one of the more complicated saws to replace a blade on. Follow our step by step instructions below and you will be changing saw blades like a pro in no time!

NOTE: ALWAYS USE CARE WHEN REMOVING OR INSTALLING BLADES. WEAR HEAVY GLOVES WHEN HANDLING BLADES. WATCH OUT FOR HYDRAULIC AND COOLANT LINES THAT COULD BE DAMAGED FROM THE BLADE.

1. Raise the cutting head up about half way and remove the four thumb screws that hold the top cover in place. Carefully lower the covers in an open position. This will allow access to the remaining guards that must be removed.
2. Loosen the thumbscrews and remove the half-moon drip pan that is located on the far-right side (gearbox end) of the saws cutting head. 
3. Remove the idle wheel and drive wheel covers. 
4. Remove the thumb screws that hold on the left and right guide arm blade guards.
5. Put all the guards in a safe place to prevent damage or losing them.
   
   
6. Carefully remove the chip brushes from their holder.
   TAKE CARE AS YOU WILL BE REMOVING THE CHIP BRUSHES FROM AROUND THE BLADE. BOTH BLADE AND BRUSHES ARE SHARP!
   
   
7. Loosen the blade by turning the tensioning hand wheel counter clockwise.
   
   
8. Pull the blade out of the rear blade guard. This is the long yellow guard mounted to the back of the cutting head frame. ALWAYS WEAR HEAVY GLOVES WHEN REMOVING THE BLADE! 
9. Push the blade downward and remove from around the idle wheel. (Wheel on left side, without the gearbox) Then remove the blade from the blade guides. (Pushing down on the blade will allow for this removal)
   
   
10. Grasp the blade in the area of the rear blade guard and slip the blade off the drive wheel. (Right side with gearbox)
    
    
11. Once the blade is free, hold the blade together in the middle and remove it from the left side of the saw.
    
    
12. Take the used blade and either coil it up or safely dispose of it in a safe manner.
    
    
13. Carefully un-coil the new blade.
    NEVER TOSS THE BLADE ON THE GROUND TO UN-COIL IT. A coiled blade is like an angry snake and can hurt you severely if care is not taken un-coiling it.
    
    
14. With the blade uncoiled, grasp the middle of the blade creating loops on both ends.
    
    
15. With the teeth in the right direction, carefully place the blade under the cutting head and loop one end around the drive wheel on the right side. Next place the blade into the rear blade guard on the back head frame.
    
    
16. Feed the blade into the blade guides and loop the left side of the blade onto the idle wheel.
    
    
17. Double check to make sure the blade is seated up to the lip of both the wheels but not on the lip. Check to see that the blade within the guides are straight and up to the upper guide bearing.
    
    
18. Hold the blade to make sure it does not slip off the wheel and tighten the blade tensioning screw. The blade tension screw should be tightened as tight as possible by hand.
    
    
19. Re-adjust blade guides if needed. Carefully jog the saw with the start stop buttons and with the saw OFF check to make sure blade does not walk off the wheels or guides. If the blade moves a great deal on the wheels, a tracking adjustment will be required.
    
    
20. Re-install ALL guarding that was removed and chip brushes.
    NEVER OPERATE SAW WITHOUT ALL THE GUARDS IN PLACE.
    
    
21. Close the top covers and install thumbscrews.
    
    
22. Make all necessary adjustments. Follow blade manufactures blade break in instructions and you should be putting parts on the floor in no time.  

For more information, watch our video that shows how to change a J-saw model bandsaw blade!