Band saws employ a continuous loop blade that is coupled to a pair of pulleys or band wheels. The band wheels are typically mounted in a common plane to a frame, the mounting spaces apart the band wheels and allows the band wheels to rotate about parallel axes. Typically, one of the band wheels is coupled with a motor assembly which drives the rotation of the band wheel and therefore the blade.
Generally, one of the band wheels is enabled to be moved relative to the position of the other band wheel while maintaining the common plane and parallel axes of rotation. This movement capability allows an operator of a band saw to increase and decrease the distance between the upper and lower band wheels, thereby increasing or decreasing the tension applied to the band saw blade. This is commonly referred to as tensioning the band saw blade.
Proper care of a band saw includes releasing the tension on the continuous loop blade, when not in use, to prevent stretching the blade, deforming the frame and the like. This de-tensioning process can be time consuming for the user. Another difficulty in using a band saw is when changing blades. For example, band saws may accept a variety of blades to accomplish different tasks such as re-sawing, curve cutting and the like. Various operations require different blades. For instance, a three-quarter inch (¾″) blade may be used for re-sawing, while a three-eighths inch (⅜″) blade is used for cutting a tight radius. Previously, a user would have to rotate a threaded shaft device to adjust one of the band saw pulley wheels to achieve the proper tension. When switching between different sized blades the user is often forced to repeat this process. Because of the time required to properly tension a blade to account for different sized blades, the user may be tempted to employ a single size blade to accomplish different tasks. For instance, a user may try to use a wide blade to cut a curve rather than switching to the proper width, to save time. Using the wrong blade may result in an imprecise cut, a wrong cut, damage the equipment, and the like.
Dust and debris collection is another problem in workshops, and particularly, in woodworking shops. For example, in a small woodshop if sawdust is not properly collected, dust may impede staining and varnishing operations. Additionally, many hardwoods are hazardous to people with allergies or respiratory problems associated with repeated exposure to dust. Proper dust collection at the source, such as at a band saw, may eliminate much of the dust created during cutting. Current band saws suffer from poor dust collection performance, such as clogging or dust collection hoses interfering with operations by exiting the band saw adjacent to the work area. Clogging may occur at the throat plate, where the loop blade passes below the table, or near the bottom of the saw blade path.
Proper angle adjustment is difficult for many power tools, such as band saws, drill presses, and the like, employing variable angle support surfaces. For example, a user may wish to angle a band saw table to provide a beveled cut. To accomplish this beveled cut, the user releases a securing assembly, rotates the support surface to the proper angle using a gage, and perhaps checks the angle with a square, before re-securing the support. Current tools with adjustable tables are susceptible to improper alignment and/or variation in alignment, especially when friction securing assemblys, such as a clamp mechanism, are used. For example, a support surface may become misaligned due to accidental contact or other factors. In another example, even though exercising caution, a user may accidentally vary the angle between the support surface and the tool, resulting in misalignment. While utilizing a gauge or conducting a sample cut reduces error, these techniques are time consuming.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device for overcoming the previously experienced drawbacks.