Bandsaw won't cut straight

[teejk]

Don't think I've ever seen a mid-priced band saw make a straight line (I have a Delta that I'm sure came from the same factory as your Jet). From what I have read it is "random" as to which side it will want to "drift". My Delta came with a pivot pin that can be attached to the fence to try to keep things on the mark (that in itself tells me that they know it probably won't cut straight with the fence). I have a decent table saw for most things and only use the band-saw for re-sawing and small cuts when my alarms go off. Back to the re-saw part...I saw a "hint" somewhere that suggested doing a shallow kerf cut on the table saw (top and bottom of the board). It works! The blade has little chance of going anywhere other than to follow that kerf.

 

[jix]

I have had that problem with successive new blades. It is caused by the way the blades are made..not enough set on one side of the blade... Change blade suppliers.. And the defective blades back for a refund.

 

[teejk]

I have had that problem with successive new blades. It is caused by the way the blades are made..not enough set on one side of the blade... Change blade suppliers.. And the defective blades back for a refund.

I've used several different brands and notice no difference. I think it's strictly a function of the wheel alignment (explaining why each saw is different). A mere fraction in tolerance gets magnified a lot on the cut. As somebody noted, google "band saw drift" and you'll see it is not uncommon. You'll also see how some people correct for it (sleds, shims, etc.). I usually just accept it and leave pieces a tad large and true up at the table saw or miter saw.