12-Inch Craftsman Band Saw Adjustments

Wheel Alignment

• The saw blade is placed over two wheels mounted within the saw housing. Perfect alignment of the wheels is necessary to keep the saw blade from riding off the wheels as it is spinning. Although the alignment of the wheels of your Craftsman band saw should have been performed at the factory, rough handling of the saw during shipping or other factors might require the adjustment of the wheels. Alignment can be checked by unplugging the power cord and removing the outer cover of the saw housing to expose the wheels. A straight edge placed vertically across both wheels should come into contact at the top and bottom of both wheels if the alignment is correct. Alignment can be corrected by loosening the set screw at the center of the top wheel, then sliding the wheel on the shaft until the proper alignment is achieved. If the alignment is still out, the bottom wheel can be adjusted in the same manner until alignment is perfect.

Blade Glides

• The blade glides are situated above and below the saw table. Blade guides give the blade support against direct and sideways force while making cuts. Blade guides that are out of adjustment may cause the blade to drift and not cut straight. The blade guides have adjustment screws that allow movement of the guide to within 1/16 inch of the blade.

Saw Table

• The saw table on your Craftsman band saw can be rotated to make diagonal cuts. A lock handle underneath the table must first be loosened, then the table can be rotated to the desired angle. Tightening the lock handle secures the table into position. When returning the table to a hormonal position, a small square can be used to ensure the table is perpendicular to the saw blade before tightening the lock handle.

Blade Tension

• Your Craftsman 12-inch band saw has the capability of using different blades, depending on the task you are performing. A wider blade might be desired for longer, straighter cuts, while a narrow blade might be needed for curved or intricate cuts. No matter which blade you are using, it must be tensioned to cut as intended. Different widths of blades have different requirements when it comes to tension. A tensioning knob is provided on your saw and must be turned until the scale reads the width of the blade you are using.