I could start a new thread or open an old wound...
I've made my choice...
Against everyone's advice...I bought a cheapo blade. Not having replaced a blade before, I figured I had a pretty good chance of damaging it. So I decided I'd learn on this one and then switch to something better.
Now...at the risk of the answer being..."You dolt! It's the cheapo blade"....
Backing up just bit...
I had busted some teeth due to incorrect usage in applying the blade and the wrong speed. This gave a slow hip-hop action to the system as the blade bounced off the material. Shortly thereafter, the blade snapped.
Today I went about replacing the blade. Here's my observations and what happened...(nothing bad...but I have questions)...
I couldn't believe the amount of aluminum crud all over...so I spent some time cleaning everything out and figuring out what's what. Instructions mentioned some parts by number...but the illustration didn't contain them.
I checked the clearance between the blade guide bearings...supposed to be less than .001" clearance between them and the blade. I used shims to check that. The gap was slightly bigger. However, instructions talked about using a hex key to loosen the nuts to make adjustment. Hm....no hole for a hex key. And I couldn't see how I could adjust the bearings closer. So I didn't do anything (for now).
I suspect I just have to loosen the nut with a wrench...put sufficient shims between the bearings, squeeze them together, and then tighten it up again. Is that right?
I was surprised by how the blade gets twisted as it comes off the drive wheel, through the bearings, and onto the idler. I can see now why Marv suggested using twist ties. Sheesh that was fun.
Got things tightened up and 'twanged'.
Then it was time to check blade tracking. I was surprised it was so far off. Is that unusual? I followed the instructions and adjusted the screw until I saw the blade track the idler 'properly'. However, I noticed the blade was a little further out on the drive wheel. I don't see any way to adjust it better. While adjusting the blade I could hear a light click every few seconds. I think it was the weld going by. Changing the tracking made it come and go. Is that unusual?
As I said...cheapo blade...the weld spot seems weak. It looks like you could bend it back and forth two or three times and it might snap. When I unwound it I discovered the teeth were facing the wrong direction. It took me a while to realize what happened and that I needed to twist it inside/out. Luckily I had discovered the weld issue. I put the blade in a vise (with the weld in the jaws), and twisted the blade inside/out. That went very well and I have to admit I was bit proud of myself. ;D
Now for the part I'm unhappy with. I set it up to cut a bar of 12L14. Although it cut very well and much more quickly than I had expected, the blade pops up every 2 and half seconds or so. (I was running at 200. It's a 64" blade.) And, when it comes down...I get a little bit of smoke from the cutting oil as the blade grabs.
So that's the part I don't understand...and the part that's (I hoping) is most likely...the cheapo blade...maybe the weld.
Any thoughts...good or bad...are welcome.
Thanks. Sorry it's a long post.