The amount of drift varies with every blade, but you can compensate for it by clamping your fence to match the drift angle. SINGLE-POINT FENCE. Another way to overcome blade drift is to use a single-point fence like the one shown in the left photo above and in the margin. SETTING THE FENCE TO COMPENSATE FOR BLADE DRIFT. FEED RATE & TECHNIQUES. With either style of fence, your saw will help you determine the feed rate for resawing.
The first step is giving your bandsaw a good tune-up to set the table perpendicular to the blade, get peak performance from the guides, and ensure the blade tracks true. “With your saw well-tuned, turn to the blade. Resawing wide boards requires a blade that cuts evenly throughout the stock’s thickness while evacuating large amounts of sawdust. The wider the blade, the straighter the cut, so use the widest blade your bandsaw can handle. Most saws accept at least a 1⁄2”-wide blade, and many even wider. Typically, a wide 3-tooth-per-inch blade provides the perfect blend of aggressive yet smooth cut and sawdust evacuation that resawing requires.
Premium blades have hardened teeth, and they far outlast ordinary blades. We tested all the premium resaw blades we could find that can safely be used on a 14-in. If you do a lot of resawing, you may find bi-metal blades worth the extra money because the extra-hard teeth are designed to outlast hardened carbon-steel blades.
If you are spending that coin get the VP! The other great Lenox carbide blade for resawing is the Woodmaster CT which doesn’t come more narrow than 1″. The Lenox bi-metal I like for resawing is the Woodmaster B which is also only available in 1″ or greater, the Diemaster 2 is also good but I prefer the WM for resawing. 1″ Lenox Trimaster with the 2/3 variable pitch, carbide, 1/16″ kerf.1/2″ Lenox Diemaster2, bimetal, hook style, 6 tpi, ~0.035″ kerf.
If your saw is a typical American style 14″ bandsaw, the maximum blade size might be ¾”, so therefore I would recommend a ½” blade. Wider would be better for resaw quality, but the slightly smaller size gives you some flexibility when tracking the blade, as you don’t want the blade popping off the back of the wheel. “As far as carbide tipped resaw blades, these offer a great durability advantage over traditional steel bandsaw blades, and they can typically be resharpened if they become dull, but they do not necessarily deliver better cut quality. I would consider them only if you plan to do a lot of resawing that would go through a large volume of traditional blades. For occasional resawing, a 3TPI ½” blade will serve you well.
To get started with resawing, I recommend a band saw of sufficient power and with a large depth of cut. “And, speaking of saw blades: the rule of thumb for resawing is “The wider the better.” Wider blades, 1/2″ and larger, cut straighter, which is the goal. Even if you don’t opt for a “specialty” resaw blade, stick with a wide and open-toothed blade to enhance your resawing activity.
So I thought it would be useful to write a short article about the physics of bandsaw resawing and how to prevent the blade from wandering. To illustrate some of the concepts, I made a simple “Model” of a bandsaw blade cutting through wood. Even 1/2″ wide blades have enough beam strength for resawing if sufficiently tensioned.
Having the best blade for resawing is crucial if you want the best outcomes. We wanted to put resawing blades in the spotlight, to give you the lowdown on exactly which bandsaw blades are the best. Choosing the best bandsaw blade for resawing presents so many options.
bandsaw blade width for resawing Related Question:
What width bandsaw blade is best for resawing?
Resawing involves making rip cuts in the face of a wide board. So just like you would on the table saw, you’ll want to select a blade with fewer teeth per inch (TPI) than the blades you use for crosscutting or cutting curves. For most 14″ band saws, a 1 ⁄ 2 “-wide blade with 2-3 TPI is a good choice.
How do I know what size bandsaw blade I need?
In inches, determine the radius of each wheel, by measuring from the center to the outside of the wheel. Apply the following formula: (R1 x 3.1416) + (R2 x 3.1416) + (2 x C) = Saw blade length. Put a strip of tape on the floor to mark a starting point.
How many teeth do you need to resaw a blade?
Typically, a wide 3-tooth-per-inch (tpi) blade provides the perfect blend of aggressive yet smooth cut and sawdust evacuation that resawing requires.
How thick of wood 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.
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.
How much horsepower do you need to resaw?
A 3/4 or 1 HP bandsaw is pefectly adequate for re-sawing stock at home….
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.
What is the kerf of a bandsaw blade?
Kerf: Amount of material removed by the cut of the blade. 5. Tooth Pitch:The distance from the tip of one tooth to the tip of the next tooth.
What is the width of a blade?
Width – The nominal dimension of a saw blade as measured from the tip of the tooth to the back of the band. Set – The bending of teeth to right or left to allow clearance of the back of the blade through the cut. Kerf – Amount of material removed by the cut of the blade.
What size blade does a 9 inch bandsaw take?
9″ Ryobi, 9″ B&D, 9″ Craftsman, 9″ Tradesman, 9″ Pro-Tech, 9″ Collins, B&D 3 Wheel.
How long is a 14 inch bandsaw blade?
Olson® All Pro&trade band saw blades 93-1/2″ length fits most 14″ band saws (Delta, Jet, etc.), hard back and exclusive material, in skip, hook, or regular teeth.
How do I choose a resaw blade?
For resawing, use the widest 3-tpi skip- or variable-tooth blade your saw accepts. Typically, the wider the blade, the straighter it cuts. Cutting green (undried) wood requires the widest 2–3-tpi skip-tooth blade your saw accepts.
What causes bandsaw blade drift?
Drift is cause because the blade buckles under the load. You can see that by stretching a ribbon between 2 points and applying a pressure to one of the edges, it will turn sideway easily. A sharp blade and high blade speed will help a lot with that.
How thick can a 9 inch bandsaw cut?
There are several $99, 9 inch band saws on the market in my area (Ryobi, Skill). The are able to cut a thickness of 2 ½ inches.
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.