BLADE
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

CUTTING PROBLEMS

Common issues you may notice while milling.

POSSIBLE CAUSES & SOLUTIONS

Use this guide to help identify the issue and what to do.

WAVY OR UNEVEN CUTS

The cut looks wavy, follows the grain, or is not straight.

  • Blade is dull – time to resharpen.
  • Teeth are not set correctly – have blade checked & reset
  • Blade tension, guides or alignment may need adjustment.
  • Check if you are pushing the mill too fast.

ROUGH CUT SURFACE

The boards are rough, fuzzy or have loose fibers.

  • Blade is dull – time to resharpen.
  • Teeth may be chipped or uneven – have the blade inspected.
  • Wrong feed rate – slow down.
  • Check guide bearings and alignment.

BURN MARKS ON THE WOOD

The wood looks scorched or discolored during the cut.

  • Blade is dull – time to resharpen.
  • Feeding too slowly – keep a steady pace.
  • Blade tension may be too high.
  • Check for pitch or sap buildup – clean the blade.

FINE SAWDUST (LIKE DUST)

The sawdust is very fine instead of larger chips.

  • Blade is dull – time to resharpen.
  • Feed rate is too slow.
  • Teeth are not set correctly.
  • Check blade is the right width & tooth pattern for your wood.

TEAR-OUT OR SPLINTERING

The edges of the board are torn or splintered.

  • Blade is dull or has damaged teeth.
  • Using the wrong tooth pattern for the wood.
  • Feed rate may be too fast.
  • Check guides and blade alignment.

BLADE WANDERS OR WON’T CUT STRAIGHT

The blade drifts to one side or won’t track straight.

  • Teeth are not set correctly – have the blade checked and reset.
  • Blade tension may be too low.
  • Guide bearings need adjustment.
  • Blade may be dull or have uneven teeth.

CHIPPED OR BROKEN TEETH

Teeth are missing, cracked, or damaged.

  • Hitting metal, dirt or rocks in the log.
  • Feeding too fast or forcing the cut.
  • Blade may be dull and under too much stress.
  • Stop using the blade and have it inspected.

417-342-0127

cuttingedgesawmill.com


carson@cuttingedgesawmill.com