Abstract: A band saw apparatus including a blade under tension and has a frame that includes a pivotably connected drive mount and a rotatable wheel supported by the drive mount. The blade extends about the rotatable wheel. A tensioner is used to set the blade tension so as to minimize objectionable noise and vibration. The tensioner also facilitates raising the drive mount and support wheel for blade removal.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly includes a mounting bushing having an opening therethrough and a shaft having at least one threaded region along its axial length, the shaft extending through the opening. A mounting nut is threaded onto the shaft. A seating surface extends from the shaft at a position intermediate the mounting bushing and the mounting nut. A spring is disposed around the shaft between the mounting bushing and the seating surface. A first end of the spring is positioned against the seating surface so as to be fixed at the intermediate position along the shaft regardless of a distance between the mounting bushing and the mounting nut, a second end of the spring is positioned toward the mounting bushing.