A bandsaw can rip, crosscut, resaw and handle curves, angles and compound cuts. Bandsaw for resawing, cutting bowl blanks, or making lumber out of logs. Buy a benchtop bandsaw if you’re really cramped for floor space or on a tight budget.
They just found the bandsaw to be a huge time & effort saver, and their bandsaw was the power tool that scared them the least. Yes, 14-inch bandsaws can be modified with a riser block to allow resawing, but larger bandsaws like this 17-inch bandsaw have a stronger frame, stronger guides, a larger cast iron table, and more importantly: more power. At 2 Horse Power this bandsaw has plenty of power for me to rip through most any thickness of lumber that comes into my workshop, and has a wide 17-inch opening for when I’m cutting really wide boards.
MotorsThe main reason a woodturner buys a bandsaw is to cut round turning blanks and rip down billets from logs. The sideways movement of the blade is a reaction to cutting around a circle forcing the blade to try and twist, uncontrolled blades have a habit of not cutting very straight. Backward blade movement is usually countered with a ball bearing that allows the saw blade to rub on it and the bearing rotates to prevent friction.
Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw. Not only will the owner’s manual help you set up your saw properly, but it will also help you become much more familiar with the proper methods for safely cutting with your saw. A band saw is among the safest of power woodworking tools, but the saw must be set up properly before use.
Even a small bandsaw with a 1/3HP motor will cut through 6″ of solid oak if the machine is set up properly and the blade is sharp with the appropriate sized teeth. A counterclockwise turn will bring the bandsaw blade towards you, towards the back of the bandsaw wheel. Raise up the top bearing guide column to expose a maximum mount of blade between the top bearings and the table ofd the bandsaw.
how to shop for a bandsaw Related Question:
How do I choose a band saw blade?
Use coarse tooth blades (2 or 3 TPI) for re-sawing and cutting thicker materials. For general wood cutting duties in typical 3/4″ material, use a 4 TPI blade for coarse, fast cutting and a 14 TPI blade for slower, smoother cutting. A blade in the 6 to 8 TPI range provides good general-purpose performance.
How much does a good bandsaw cost?
If you change the stock blade for a better quality one, you can expect to make some reasonable cuts, and that is quite something for the low price of just about $125. It even comes with a miter gauge included, which often isn’t even the case on $2000 bandsaws.
How much HP does a bandsaw need?
A 3/4 or 1 HP bandsaw is pefectly adequate for re-sawing stock at home….
What does resaw mean on a bandsaw?
A resaw is a large band saw optimized for cutting timber along the grain to reduce larger sections into smaller sections or veneers. Resawing veneers requires a wide blade – commonly 2 to 3 inches (52–78 mm) – with a small kerf to minimize waste.
What is a band saw throat?
The throat is the distance from the blade to the vertical frame section of the body of the saw. This distance determines the width of cut that can be completed on the band saw. The throat on a free-standing cabinet band saw typically exceeds the 12 to 14-inch throat of smaller, bench-top models.
How tight should my bandsaw blade be?
The blade should deflect no more than 1/4 in. A good place to begin is to tension the blade until the meter reads proper tension for the next wider blade. For example, if you’re tensioning a 3/8-in. blade, I would set the scale to 1/2 in.
Where does the guard need to be when using the band saw?
A height-adjustable guard is installed over the exposed section of the bandsaw blade. The guard should be just above the height of the material the blade is cutting.
What does TPI mean on a bandsaw blade?
You must select the correct Teeth Per Inch (TPI) for the thickness of material you are cutting.
How high can a bandsaw cut?
The resaw capacity is the maximum height (thickness) that can be cut. For the small shop furniture maker, go with 14″ as the minimum for a bandsaw, though 16″ is better. Those doing larger work might even want 18″ or 20″ machines. Just make sure you have a minimum resaw height of 12″ for versatility.
Is bandsaw good for wood?
A bandsaw is a woodworking machine that spins a flexible blade around two metal wheels while under tension. Bandsaws are useful for (1) ripping boards down their length, (2) resawing boards for veneer and thinner furniture parts, and (3) cutting curves.
What size bandsaw is best?
For a hobbyist, a 12″-14″ bandsaw is the ideal size. This size saw will provide plenty of power and a good deal of resawing capability. A professional will be better served with an 18″ bandsaw for a larger resawing capability. Choosing a 14″ band saw would provide plenty of power in a smaller footprint.
What does 14 mean on a bandsaw?
Rob Johnstone: Band saw sizes are derived from the diameter of the wheels in the saw. So a 14-inch band saw will have wheels that are 14-inches in diameter. There is another measure that indicates how wide a board you can resaw.
Can I put a wider blade on my bandsaw?
An 18-inch diameter wheel can use a 0.032-inch thick blade that is 3/4 inch wide. In general, thicker and wider blades will be the choice when sawing dense wood and woods with hard knots. Such wood needs the extra strength of a thicker, wide blade to avoid breaking. Thicker blades also deflect less when resawing.
Can you rip a board with a bandsaw?
A band saw can shape curves, saw rough lumber safely, cut joinery, and even rip boards to width.
How thick can a bandsaw cut?
Band saws are the undisputed champ when it comes to cutting curves and slicing through thick material. Many small band saws can slice though lumber a full four inches thick, and bigger saws handle six-inch cuts.