Welcome to another episode of the Urban Homesteading Channel! If you’re new here, we extend a warm welcome, and if you’ve been with us before, welcome back! In our last episode, we tackled the task of creating a portable base for our banjo that had been sitting in storage for quite some time. As we were servicing the banjo, we realized that we needed a new blade and tires. The challenge arose when we couldn’t locate the manual, which holds vital information about the blade size. So, what do you do when you can’t find the manual? Don’t worry, we’ve got a fast and easy solution to help you find the exact length of your blade so you can order the correct one.

Step 1: Marking and Measuring

Start by taking your blade and locate the welding spot, if visible. If you can’t see it, make a mark with a square mini marker. Then, lock a measuring tape on your floor and place the mark you made at the beginning of the tape. Walk the blade around, making sure not to slip, until you reach the mark again. Take note of the measurement. It’s important to do this twice to ensure accuracy. If you get the same measurement both times, you can proceed with confidence. If not, repeat the process until you obtain consistent results.

Step 2: Mathematical Calculation

If you have limited mobility or find it difficult to perform the bending and measuring process, don’t worry! There’s a mathematical solution available. Start by measuring the distance from the middle of one spoke to the middle of the other spoke on the small wheel. Then, multiply this measurement by two. Next, measure the diameter of both wheels and add them together. Multiply the total by two to get the circumference. Finally, divide the circumference by two to get the length of your blade.

It’s important to note that if you have two wheels of the same size, you only need to calculate the circumference once. However, if your bandsaw has different-sized wheels, you’ll need to calculate the circumference for each wheel separately and add them together.

Step 3: Determining the Teeth and Width

To determine the number of teeth per inch, measure from the middle of a valley between two teeth and go one inch out. Count the tooth at which the inch mark ends. If it finishes on a tooth, count it. If it finishes on a valley, do not count it.

To find the width of your blade, measure from the edge of the blade to the top of the tooth. This will give you the width of your blade.

Step 4: Ordering the Correct Blade and Tires

With all the necessary measurements in hand, you can now confidently order the correct blade and tires for your bandsaw. Make sure to provide the length, number of teeth per inch, and width when placing your order.

Remember, if you can’t find the manual to determine the tire size, don’t worry. Tires are sold by diameter, so measure the diameter of your bandsaw wheels to know which size to purchase.

Conclusion

Finding the right blade and tire size for your bandsaw doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily and accurately determine the necessary measurements and order the correct parts. Whether you choose the marking and measuring method or the mathematical calculation method, both will yield the desired results. So, get your bandsaw up and running smoothly with the right blade and tires!

We hope you enjoyed this episode of the Urban Homesteading Channel. If you did, don’t forget to give us a thumbs up, and if you have any suggestions for future episodes, let us know! Stay safe, wear masks, get vaccinated, and remember to wash your hands. Until next time, farewell friends!