How to Get Started With a Band Saw
The band saw is a versatile woodworking tool that makes cutting curves relatively easy. This allows for advanced joinery techniques such as mortise-and-tenon joints and dovetails.
Unlike other power saws, bandsaws do not create a kickback motion toward the operator. However, the back of the blade does pull stock, especially small offcuts, through the throat plate and the bottom guides.
Choosing a Blade
Band saws are great tools for woodworking, and their flexibility is unparalleled. But it’s important to choose the right blade and consider a few key considerations, in order to maximize performance and achieve precise cuts.
The first step is determining which blade width works best for the type of cut you’re making. Typically, wider blades are better for straight cuts and narrower ones for curves. It’s also worth bearing in mind that the width of the blade can affect how much force it can withstand.
Next, it’s important to find the appropriate tooth size. The number of teeth per inch (TPI) on a bandsaw blade is determined by the desired quality of the cut and the type of material. Higher TPI blades are better suited to fine work on thinner materials, while lower TPI is more suitable for rough cutting and rougher materials.
TPI can be measured by a simple method. Start by measuring one or two inches down the table band saw blade and observing the spacing between the teeth. Count the number of teeth in that area, then divide it by the number of inches that you’ve measured to get the TPI.
The ideal blade length will vary depending on the manufacturer and specific model of the saw, but you should be able to find the information in the machine’s user manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly. It’s also important to clean and lubricate the blade regularly, in order to maintain it at its peak performance and extend its life.
Getting Started
While it’s tempting to grab your trusty miter saw for all cutting projects, a band saw offers the best solution for curves and odd shapes. Here’s how to get started with this versatile tool and start making great cuts with ease.
While most woodworkers reserve their band saws for resawing and curved work, a little tweaking of the blade can make it a good choice for most other tasks. Paul swaps out the blade on his saw and explains how to align it, adjust the bearings and set the tension for a clean cut.
Another important tip from Paul is to always cut with the grain. Doing so makes it easier to hide a glue seam. And if you need to go against the grain, a quick pass across a jointer or a few strokes with a hand plane will take care of any remaining marks.
The next tip is one that most people forget to do: sand the cut edges after each pass. This will remove the saw mark and help you get a smooth finish. This is an easy step that will greatly improve your final results.
Adjusting the Speed
Using the chart on the front of the saw determine what speed you want to run your blade at for your particular material. It’s usually arranged by material size, up to one inch, one to three inches, and up to six inches.
Before you run your blade make sure the guard and guide are set properly. If they are not set correctly the squeaking noise your saw makes as it cuts will be louder than normal and the cutting quality will be poor.
The adjustment is very simple but often overlooked. Loosen the guard lock and then use a square to put pressure on the blade at a point about 1/4″ above your material. Then adjust the top and bottom bearings until there is about 1/32″ gap between the blade and the bearing. Once all are set you can lock them in place.
Some people use calculations to figure out what the feed rate should be for a given workpiece size and shape. These calculations have some weaknesses because they don’t take into consideration factors such as the thickness of the bandsaw blade, the hardness of the workpiece material, the condition of the workpiece sawing machine and others. A better method of determining feeding or penetrating speed is needed. The system described above has been devised to provide such a solution.
Safety
If you follow a few simple safety rules, the band saw can be one of the safest tools in your large commercial vacuum shop. Always keep your hands clear of the blade while it is cutting and use push sticks when feeding stock into the blade. Unplug the power before performing any maintenance or blade adjustments on the saw to prevent accidental start-up. Keep the work area clean, well-lit and free of tripping hazards.
Regularly inspect the blade for cracks or dullness, and replace it if necessary. Check the blade guide wheels for wear and adjust them as per your machine’s manufacturer’s recommendations. It is particularly important to carefully inspect the guides when resawing wood, as this type of cut involves much greater pressure on the blade and can quickly dull or clog the teeth.
The biggest risk with any saw is not paying attention. Make sure you are fully focused on the task at hand and not distracted by your phone or other devices while using the machine. Follow the “three-finger rule” and never place your fingers closer to the blade than three fingers. This is a good rule of thumb for most cutting, but when working with curves on the band saw you may need to use a push stick to maintain this distance. Also, it’s a good idea to take time to do some practice cuts on scrap wood to familiarize yourself with the controls and settings before attempting any real cuts.
