Tim Inman: Because band saw blades ride on crowned wheels, they always have a little “Camber” angle relative to the vertical axis of the wheel. Using a rip fence on a band saw, like a rip fence you might find on a table saw, will nearly always cause grief – especially when you try cutting long boards. Chris Marshall: A point fence works wonders! My band saw’s rip fence can also be adjusted for front-to-back blade drift, and I’ve actually had good luck using it for resawing once I adjust for the saw’s drift that day.
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.
On a typical wood or metal cutting blade the hook or of point of the blade should be pointing down for a vertical blade bandsaw, or for a horizontal blade saw the hook of the teeth should be pointed such that they enter the workpiece first as the blade moves. During regular cutting on a well set up bandsaw the blade will move or bow backwards a bit as you press the workpiece into it. The side guides will assist in keeping the blade cutting straight, but they are not an iron lock on the blade forcing it to cut straight.
“Cutting tenons on a bandsaw seems like a fairly simple operation. Several woodworking articles have suggested the 1/4 x 6T blade for cutting tenons. Not sure why I can’t get these 1/4″ blades to cut straight. Since you only have this problem on the SS with a 1/4” blade I suspect the blade. “The first thing I did was replace the backup bearings. Next I aligned the fence to the miter slot. Once I had that squared away I then aligned the table to the bandsaw blade. To do that I used a new 3/8” blade and the Carter FAST jig to help better see the orientation of the blade.
Cummins chose a bi-metal blade for his article, because bi-metal blades anneal at 1200 degrees. “Jim demonstrated the result by standing a short 12” log “On end” on the saw-table, then feeding it into the blade. “Seems to me that Jim also recommended buying a blade 1” shorter than usual to account for length increase under tension.
band saw blade wanders when resawing Related Question:
What causes band saw blade to wander?
If the wheels are worn and do not have a distinct top to the crown then the blade will not know where to go, and may wander around. This of course can cause poor cut quality and difficulty in setting the guides.
What type of 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 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.
Do band saw blades stretch?
Bandsaw blades have to be stretched tight to work. Bandsaw blades are tensioned by the amount of force per cross-sectional area of the blade, expressed as PSI (pounds per square inch). Two blades of different sizes will require different forces to achieve the same PSI.
Why does my bandsaw blade wobble?
The blade on a saw left idle for long periods of time can leave an impression in the rubber tire which might cause erratic tracking. Purchase and install aftermarket replacement tires. (Search for “bandsaw tire” at woodcraft.com.) If you still see a back-and-forth motion, the culprit is probably the wheel itself.
Why does my bandsaw spark?
Ceramics can cause sparks. Or, if your thrust bearing is too far past the blade, more toward the center of the bearing than the edge, then it won’t turn and you’ll get sparks too, and possibly wear a groove in the bearing.
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.
What size bandsaw do you need for resawing?
To get started with resawing, I recommend a band saw of sufficient power and with a large depth of cut. Any motor smaller than 1hp and depth of cut less than 10″ will limit your effectiveness. (Some 14″ band saws have about a 6″ maximum cutso you’d be limited to a 12″ wide book-matched panel or less.)
Can any bandsaw resaw?
Just about any bandsaw will do acceptable resawing. For example, all the cuts made in this story were done on an inexpensive, 14-in. bandsaw with a 3/4-hp motor. All we did to the saw was add a riser block to increase its capacity.
Why won’t my bandsaw cut straight?
Band Saw: Why won’t my band saw cut straight? When the band saw cuts crooked, a dull blade, improper feeding, loose blade tension or not using a work piece guide could be the cause. Use the rip fence or miter gauge to guide the work piece uniformly through the cutting blade to make straight cuts.
Why does my bandsaw bounce?
A lack of straightness in either the blade or weld could be causing the blade to bounce. Next, it is important to check the blade tension and make sure that it is high enough to keep blade bounce to a minimum. That way, your blade won?t take as much damage.