by Carl Bilderback pages 64-65 from the October 2006 issue This article also appears in the book “Handsaw Essentials.“ About 35 years ago I was using a handsaw in what I considered the usual method: Cut, blow the sawdust off my pencil line and then cut some more. The foreman on the job was watching me work and he came over and stopped me. He said he was told many […]
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My dovetails are always at their best if I warm up before sawing. But I’ll be honest – when I am pressed for time I have no patience to cut an entire joint, much less prep the wood for a practice set. So here are two things I do to get my sawing on track that don’t require extra material or significant time. Crosscut Your Rough Stock by Hand Even […]
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Bandsaw Fence Our fence shines where commercial models fall short. By Richard Tendick Every bandsaw deserves a good fence. After all, a bandsaw is capable of doing much more than cutting curves. With a well-designed fence, you can accurately resaw boards into thinner pieces, rip warped rough lumber without worrying about kickback and precisely cut tenons, half-lap joints and even dovetail joints. Commercially made bandsaw fences for 14-in. saws are […]
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Q & A: Folding Bandsaw Blades Q: I once saw someone fold a bandsaw blade for easier storage— how was that done? A: Folding a bandsaw blade can be a bit intimidating when you first attempt it. Armed with sharp teeth and a spring-like tension, the blade deserves respect. At the same time it’s an easy trick for entertaining your non-woodworking friends! Be sure to wear leather gloves and eye-protection. […]
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Bandsawn Tapered Legs ?Tips and tricks to make your legs look better and the job go faster By Tom Caspar 1. Cut riftsawn legs The riftsawn section of a board makes the best-looking legs. Here, the growth rings run about 45 degrees to the surface. This makes all the leg’s faces look pleasingly similar, with straight grain lines on all sides. By contrast, legs from the board’s plainsawn section […]
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Q & A: Sawing Aluminum Q: Can I cut aluminum with my chop saw? A: Yes.Most carbide blades work fine for occasionally cutting aluminum, but we recommend using a special, non-ferrous metal-cutting blade (about $70) if you cut a lot of aluminum or brass. It’s safer to use than a standard blade because the geometry of the teeth makes it less likely to kick back when cutting a soft metal.And […]
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Q & A: Clean Bandsaw Tires Q: My bandsaw tires have a buildup of pitch and sawdust that seems to be embedded right into the rubber. What’s the best way to clean my tires? A: An excessive buildup of sawdust and pitch on your tires can lead to tracking problems, so it’s a good idea to clean them periodically. Start by unplugging your machine.Then remove the blade and tilt […]
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Bandsaw Jigs By George Vandriska Your bandsaw is one of the most versatile tools in your shop. These five jigs and techniques will help you handle some unusual situations. Cutting Multiples Click any image to view a larger version. If you need to make a lot of identical parts using a template, a pattern cutter is very handy. It won’t completely eliminate steering the material, but it’s a lot easier […]
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Extra-Large Bandsaw Fence By Jack Phillips I never throw anything away. Some day, I tell myself, the stuff in that neglected pile of junk will come in handy. I was right! I resurrected my old Craftsman tablesaw fence and turned it into a first-rate bandsaw fence. I needed a larger bandsaw table and a better fence for resawing. Because the old fence locked on a back rail I made the […]
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Bandsaws for Cutting Metal and Wood Q: I plan to buy a bandsaw, and I’d like one that can cut metal as well as wood. I’ve seen some two-speed bandsaws advertised. How well do they work to cut metal? A: The slow speed on most two-speed bandsaws is only slightly reduced from the normal 3,000 feet per minute (fpm) to around 2,500 fpm. The slower speed is designed […]
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