Almost all U.S. woodcutting bandsaw blades over 1/2″ wide are made of coil stock. Every bandsaw blade, unless there’s something seriously wrong, can cut straight lines, but each will do so in its own way. The way the blade bowed tells you how to fine tune your fence for very precise resawing.
Re-sawing, the process of cutting a board into thinner pieces of the same length and width, opens up a world of woodworking opportunities. Making sure the bandsaw blade is perpendicular to the table is especially important when you’re re-sawing a wide board. Re-sawing long boards is a breeze with this setup, because it automatically holds the board against the fence so your hands are free to feed the board. Of course, you’ll also have to buy new, longer blades, and if your bandsaw bogs down easily when re-sawing those super-wide boards, you may have to install a larger motor to handle the increased workload. 5. Re-sawing a board into thin, pliable pieces allows you to create curved shapes by bending and gluing the pieces around a form-a process called “Bent lamination.” Marking the board with the cabinetmaker’s triangle allows you to reassemble the thin pieces as they came from the board, so the lamination closely resembles a single piece of bent wood. Partially re-sawing a board on your table saw makes re-sawing with your band saw easier, because the blade has less to cut and the saw kerfs keep it from wandering. It’s a great method to use if your band saw bogs down during full-width re-sawing, and in many cases, it can save time by allowing you to re-saw without installing a re-saw blade.
Install the blade and apply just enough tension to keep the blade securely on the wheels. Instead, tension the blade until your finger is only able to deflect the blade by about 1/4″. This test should be done at the back of the saw where nothing can get in the way of the blade. Adjust the thrust bearings carefully so that they do NOT rotate while the blade moves, but they DO begin to rotate as soon as light pressure is applied to the blade.
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.
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.
I’ve had perfectly acceptable results resawing with bimetal blades and great results resawing with silicone-carbide, low-tension blades. Drift varies from blade to blade, so follow this simple setup procedure every time you change blades. Because bearings can be used in contact with the blade, they can help the blade run straighter, resulting in less drift.
how to set up bandsaw for resawing Related Question:
What band saw blade 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.
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.
Can you rip boards with a band saw?
A band saw can shape curves, saw rough lumber safely, cut joinery, and even rip boards to width.
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 does a resaw guide work?
Resaw guides provide a higher level of control when adjusting for band saw blade drift. Curved face of the guide helps steer board into the cut. Easily attaches to the face of the band saw fence. This 7″ Resaw Guide is designed for larger capacity band saws.
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.
Is a wider bandsaw blade better?
The wider blades are stiffer overall (more metal) and tend to track better on the band wheels than narrow blades. When cutting thicker material, the wider blade has less ability to deviate because the back end, when in the cut, helps steer the front of the blade, especially if the side clearance is not excessive.
Why do bandsaws 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.
Is a bandsaw better than a table saw?
Since the blade is so narrow and it cuts downward, it has the advantage of essentially keeping the workpiece solidly on the table as you make the cut. This makes the bandsaw inherently safer than a table saw for most cuts. Making a rip cut on the band saw is a breeze, with the right blade.
Can a bandsaw cut wood?
With the correct blade, a band saw can cut wood or metal, in either curves or straight lines. Blades come in a variety of widths and tooth counts. Narrower blades are good for tighter curves, while wider blades are better at straight cuts.
How do I get my bandsaw to 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.
Can you resaw without a bandsaw?
With a little work at the tablesaw, you can resaw wide boards without a riser-block equipped bandsaw. A 6″-wide board is about the limit for resawing on a 14″ bandsaw without a riser block.
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.