6x4 Bandsaw throwing blades

Hi All
I have had plenty of issues with my 4x6 bandsaw. I am sentimental about this little saw as my mother bought it new for me when I first started out. So it is 35 plus years old

I have made many modifications and what I consider improvements to this machine. But no matter what I have tried from new it just keeps throwing blades. So enough is enough! l decided to try and machine the drive and idler wheels with a 2 degree taper back towards the flanged edge to correct this problem. This did work and stopped the blade from throwing off the wheels but created a different issue. As soon as the blade came into contact with the workpiece the blade would slip on the wheels. I couldn’t put any more tension on the blade and all other checks had been made with no improvement.

I left it for a week and was now considering purchasing a more industrial machine secondhand. But the machine had one last chance. I purchased some EVA foam seal tape self adhesive strip 10 mm wide 1 mm thick which is used for door or window insulation. Applied it to the driven wheel only and the blade no longer slips or jumps off the wheels. The foam acts like a tire which is found on the more expensive machines. It has been on the machine for a month and several cuts made with no issues.

Attachment 47510 Tape on wheel

Attachment 47511Blade teeth doesn’t ride on the tape.

Attachment 47512Machining taper

Attachment 47513Surface is very smooth which I think caused the blade slippage.

So hopefully if anyone is having this issue a cheap fix at £5.99 for 10 meters.
I know it has only taken 35 years to fix :smash:
Thank you for viewing
The Home Engineer