will not come off the wheel, run the saw for 30–60 seconds to ensure that the blade reaches its final resting position. Side Blade Guides Guides may be hardened pieces of steel, ceramic, composite material, or ball bearings on each side of the blade. See Figure 23-69. Fitting a blade between these guides is critical. Slip a piece of paper or tape between the blade and each side guide. If it moves freely, the guides have proper side clearance. The teeth on the blade must never touch the hardened guides or bearings. If this happens, the blade loses its set. It may pinch in the kerf, heat up, and burn the material being cut. The guides should be located just behind the blade gullet. Thrust Bearing The guide behind the blade is called the thrust bearing. A thrust bearing is a ball bearing or disk mounted directly behind the blade. It supports the blade while sawing and is part of the blade-guide assembly. There should be a 0.004″ (0.1 mm) space Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-69. Use paper when checking spacing between the blade and the side guides and thrust bear- ing. Paper is approximately 0.004″ (0.1 mm). Blade 0.004″ (0.1 mm) between back edge of blade and thrust bearing Side guides between it and the back of the blade. This adjustment may be made by moving the guide. Like the side guides, use a piece of paper to set the proper distance. Storing a Band Saw Blade Band saw blades should be coiled for storage. They may be hung or boxed easily when coiled into a loop. Patrick A. Molzahn Figure 23-68. Tracking adjustment tilts the top wheel to allow the blade to track. 406 Section 4 Machining Processes Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Coiling a Band Saw Blade To coil the blade, proceed as follows: 1. Hold the blade vertically in front of you with both hands. One hand is in the center of each side of the loop. Thumbs are up and on the outside of the blade, Figure 23-70A. 2. Fingers are curled toward you on the inside gripping the blade. 3. Turn both wrists so you can see your thumb- nails, Figure 23-70B.The blade begins to twist. 4. While turning, bend your wrists downward. The top of the loop moves away from you and drops toward the floor. 5. Bring your wrists together and cross them with- out changing your grip. 6. As you cross your wrists push them toward the floor, Figure 23-70C. 7. The top of the loop in step 1 will curl back toward you, forming a three-loop coil, Figure 23-70D. Procedure