The Wood Whisperer » bandsaw

Alex’s Homemade Bandsaw

thewoodwhisperer — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:19:18 +0000

By: Alex Harris (Hook, Hampshire UK)
Experience: 2-5 Years
Woodworker Type: Hobbyist
Project Type: Shop Projects
Material(s): Solid Wood
Finish Type(s): Oil-Based Varnish, Paint
Finishing Technique(s): Brushing

The project has taken a while, I started last year and since then, off and on, I have been working on my homemade bandsaw. I have just recently finished the bandsaw at the age of 16 and it is a great addition to the workshop. It is really rewarding using a machine which you built yourself. I found the design at Woodgears and although I don’t usually follow plans, these were really comprehensive.

50 – What If?

thewoodwhisperer — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:53:03 +0000

One thing I do every time I approach a tool is think of the worst-case scenarios. Its a bit gruesome to let your imagination take you there, but there is a good reason for it. This simple mental exercise not only raises your awareness of the potential dangers, but essentially shows you exactly what you need to do to prevent injury.

Bandsaw Blade Recommendations

thewoodwhisperer — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:45:20 +0000

This week’s question comes from Gatorbait. He writes:

“I value your opinion on tool recommendations. I am very new to bandsaws. I just snagged the 14″ Powermatic (as you know from a previous email) and am looking for a few new blades (only because I heard the ones that come with the saw are horrible). Do you have any recommendations on manufacturers, blades, etc? I’m running the saw with the riser block so I’m looking at 105″ blades.”

And here was my reply:

“I would recommend either Timberwolf or Lenox blades, simply because those are the two I had the most success with. Both are fantastic. I would also recommend using the stock blade for a while. The reason is for your own knowledge as a woodworker. The stock blades cut pretty good for a while, but quickly dull and become crap (in most cases). So I think its important to use that blade for a while so you can actually see and feel an improvement when you install the new blade. You will also learn how to recognize when a blade is dull. Not to mention, there is definitely a lot of life in that stock blade and it’s a waste to just throw it out. Even if you only get a month out of it, you are still ahead of the game. More importantly, when you spend good money on a premium blade, you will have first-hand knowledge and experience that will go a long way in helping you justify spending the extra dough. Hope that helps.”

16 – Wish You Veneer

thewoodwhisperer — Fri, 18 May 2007 06:41:10 +0000

Ever think about making your own veneer? Well I’m gonna show you how! Its really not that hard and the benefits are worth the extra effort. Making your own veneer is a great way to conserve high quality material. If you have a one-of-a-kind piece of figured wood, why not slice it up and use it in three or four projects instead of just one? So fire up the bandsaw cause we’re cutting our own veneer!

13 – Bandsaw Setup and Rust Prevention

thewoodwhisperer — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 19:06:55 +0000

In this episode, I cover the basic setup and tuneup of one of the coolest tools in the shop: the bandsaw. Whether you plan on cutting veneer, re-sawing lumber, or cutting curves, the quality of the cut will improve if your bandsaw is properly tuned. Learn how to properly tension the blade, set the guides, adjust for drift, as well an many other tips can tricks.

Having trouble deciding what blade to buy? I’ll help you with that too! Here are a few general recommendations:

Resawing – 1/2″ Wide with Hook or Skip Confifuration and 3 TPI
Veneer – 1/2″ or 3/4″ Wide with Hook Configuration and 4-6 TPI
Scrolling/Curves – 1/4″ Wide with 6 TPI