DON’T FORGET YOUR BAND SAW’S TENSION
Releasing bandsaw blade tension is smart—but forgetting to re-tension it can send the blade flying when you hit the switch. A simple carabiner clipped to the blade creates an impossible-to-miss reminder that keeps your saw (and nerves) intact.
It’s always a good idea to release your bandsaw’s blade tension when you’re done cutting. Leaving the blade tensioned can cause flat spots to develop on the tires over time, shortening their lifespan and affecting performance.
My bandsaw makes this easy—it has a dedicated tension-release lever. The problem is that I sometimes forget the tension is released, and when I turn the saw on, the blade flies off. If you’ve ever had that happen, you know it’s not fun.
The Problem: Forgetting to Re-Tension the Blade
Releasing blade tension is good practice, but forgetting to reapply it before starting the saw can lead to:
The blade jumping off the wheels
Potential damage to the blade or tires
A sudden reminder that gravity and momentum are not your friends
I needed a simple, foolproof reminder—something I couldn’t miss.
The Simple Solution: A Carabiner
The fix turned out to be almost embarrassingly simple.
I use a basic carabiner, the kind you’ll find at most hardware stores. When the blade tension is on, I clip the carabiner to the tension-release lever, where it stays out of the way.
When I release the tension, I move the carabiner from the lever and clip it directly onto the bandsaw blade.
Because it’s physically attached to the blade, I can’t help but notice it when I’m about to use the saw. The carabiner has to come off before the saw can run, which reminds me to reapply the blade tension. Once the tension is back on, the carabiner goes right back on the lever.
Why This Works So Well
It’s cheap
It takes seconds to install
It doesn’t require any modification to the saw
It creates a visual and physical reminder you can’t ignore
Most importantly, it works every time. I haven’t forgotten to reset the blade tension since.
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