The bandsaw book PDF
Preview The bandsaw book
THE saw BOOK .................................... Introduction - 2 ..................... The Versatile Bandsaw 4 .......... The Bandsaw Can Do the Work of Several Tools 5 ................................. Bandsaw Anatomy 13 ................................. Types of Bandsaws 16 .............. Bandsaw Features and Options 19 ........................................... Frames 19 ................................. Wheels and Covers 22 .......................... Tension Screws and Gauges 26 .......................................... Guides -27 ....................................... Guideposts 31 ........................................... Tables 33 ............................. Motors and Drivetrains 35 ........................ Buying a Bandsaw 37 .................................... Whatsizesaw? 37 ...................... Blade-Changing Considerations 46 .................................. Choosing Guides 48 .............................. Rating Overall Quality 50 ........................ Shopping for a New Bandsaw 53 ........................ Shopping for a Used Bandsaw 54 .......................... Bandsaw Blades 58 ..................................... Bands of Steel 59 .......................... Blade Width and Thickness 64 ....................................... ToothForm 65 ............................................ Pitch 69 .................................. Choosing a Blade 69 .............................. Caring for Your Blades 77 ................ Making Your Own Carbon-Steel Blades 80 .................................. Safety 85 ........................... Bandsaw Safety Guidelines 85 ............... Fitting Dust Collection to Your Bandsaw 88 Additionally, I wanted to provide insight Like all other woodworking tools, such as cir- into how the bandsaw works and to help wood- cular sawblades and router bits, bandsaw blades workers make wise buying decisions. There are have become very sophisticated. If you're accus- a lot of manufacturers making bandsaws these tomed to using the blade that came on your days. Many produce a great saw; others produce bandsaw, you'll be amazed at the success you an average saw. And, unfortunately, some just can achieve with a great blade. I've included seem to want your money. I've included infor- information in this book to help you reach this mation in this book to help you steer clear of level of mastery. the last category of manufacturers and their Finally, I wanted to combine this information machines. in a useful, organized way. Don't just pour over In the same vein, I've also included informa- this book while sitting at home-take it to your tion on bandsaw blades so that woodworkers shop and get some dust between the pages! It's can make informed purchasing decisions about my hope that this book will help you achieve them. The blade you select will strategically the success you desire with your bandsaw. affect your bandsawing success-or failure. Most consumer catalogs offer only a small selec- tion of inexpensive carbon-steel blades, and while these blades work well for the average cut, they have major shortcomings when the cut is demanding. F The Versatile I Bandsaw wdwcrrking machines Ip uc an m.l t an dlapc flowing curves, wt precise dovetail jiineq, and ~CMW thick boar& into thin ones. With a bsnd- .i~awin your shop, you can &wgradd cabride legs ard OF feet ar even slfw a small log into lunlbefi No other wood- wurkhg mwhhe giwy ou thb.much versatility. And best of all, because a bandsaw blade antimuslyp ushes the s m kd own on the taMe,a badsaw want kickhck~aatksawmight. A bandssrw is stone bimpbit is a thin, continmm ribbonlikc Made turning on a set of wheels. lb pmnt thc Madc.from twisting and flexing white cutting, band- saws are equlpped witR guides t~ sujprt the sldcs dtRe blade. A lrame holds all bowl blank for the lathe, This chapter discusses what a bandsaw can do, how it's constructed, and what types are available. While bandsaws are simple tools, you need to understand their components and the various types before you can choose one and make the best use of its versatility. The Bandsaw Can Do the Work of Several Tools The bandsaw can perform the functions of a shopful of cutting tools. It can rip like a table saw, cut curves like a jigsaw, make fine cuts like a scrollsaw, saw logs like a mill, cut joints like a handsaw, and even follow templates like a router. The band- saw also excels at two jobs that no other tool can do: cutting compound curves and resawing wide stock. Let's look at each of these functions in more detail and Although it's one of the most versatile tools any shop, the see what a bandsaw can do for you. bandsaw is fairly simple. The key to its versatility is the continuous ribbonlike blade that makes it possible to cut curves, Rip like a table saw rip stock, resaw wide boards, and cut precision joints. (Photo by If you've ever ripped thick hardwood Scott Phillips.) stock on your table saw, you're probably aware of the problems associated with You can remedy this method. The sawblade tends to bog these problems by rip- When you must maximize the down, sometimes stalling the motor. ping thick stock with yield from a board, rip it with There may also be a lot of feed resistance, your bandsaw. Because a bandsaw. Because the kerf so when you're done you have burned a bandsaw blade is so is narrower, the bandsaw edges on the stock. These problems occur thin compared to a produces far less waste than because a table saw's blade is thick and table-saw blade, the a table saw. produces a wide kerf, usually !h in. It takes bandsaw quickly and a lot of power to push a thick blade easily cuts through thick maple, cherry, or through heavy stock. Many table saws just any other hardwood. In technical terms, don't have the horsepower to rip a thick bandsaws have less feed resistance than piece of heavy hardwood. table saws. Also, you won't have the burn PQING TIiB WORE QP SBYEBAL TQQLS
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