Reasons Urethane Bandsaw Tires Are Better Than Rubber

If you’re a frequent bandsaw user, you’ve probably encountered a slipping tire. When you use rubber bandsaw tires, the rubber stretches over time. This makes it slightly loose on the wheel and can prevent the tire from getting good traction. Discover these reasons why urethan bandsaw tires are better than rubber.

No Glue Necessary

As mentioned above, rubber bandsaw tires can start to slip when they get stretched out. This doesn’t always mean they need replacing—many bandsaw instruction manuals recommend gluing the tire down when this happens.

However, the benefit of using urethane tires is that there’s no need for glue. You simply warm up the belt enough that it will slip over the grooves on the wheel. It will stay put on its own.

Temperature Resistant

Rubber is an incredibly useful material, but like all natural materials, it has weaknesses. Rubber is prone to drying out in hot weather, which makes it more likely to crack and break when the temperatures drop.

By switching to urethane, you avoid many of the problems caused by temperature fluctuation. This can be especially helpful for people living in arid climates, where rubber dries out quickly.

Longer Lifespan

Because urethane resists abrasion and extreme temperatures better than rubber, it lasts longer. This is why urethane is usually a bit more expensive than rubber—you’re getting a more durable product. In the long run, however, this will save you money.

Reduce Dust Clogging

If you’re using your bandsaw to cut wood, every cut produces a cloud of tiny dust particles. These particles can travel up into your machine, where they stick to the rubber tire. With enough time, your tire will be covered in sawdust, which can impede the efficiency of the machine.

If you switch to urethane, you’ll find that sawdust doesn’t stick as much to the belt, keeping the inside cleaner and improving efficiency.

We hope you find these reasons why urethan bandsaw tires are better than rubber useful. Many people using older bandsaw machines never realize that there are better tire options available. Switching to urethane is an excellent idea if you use your machine frequently.