Synopsis: John White, Fine Woodworking’s shop manager, explains how to make minor modifications to a cast-iron bandsaw that transform it into an effective resawing machine. His illustrated instructions include adding a riser block to increase cutting capacity, choosing the correct blade, and building an auxiliary fence to support wide stock. His upgrade will enable you to start resawing stock as wide as 12. in. He also describes an advanced upgrade for those looking for more challenge.

The classic 14-in. cast-iron bandsaw, developed by Delta Machinery back in the 1930s, was designed mostly for making curved pattern cuts in relatively thin boards. Delta still makes that saw here in the United States. Over the years, it has changed little. Along the way, it even served as a model for several of the Asian-made clones currently sold in the United States, including a couple now marketed by Delta.

Nowadays, though, it seems more woodworkers are looking to push the limits of 14-in. cast-iron bandsaws by using them to resaw wide boards. And many are finding out that it’s not always easy to do. The feed rate is annoyingly slow, the motor often bogs down, the blade can drift off line, and the cuts sometimes end up far from square.

But don’t trade in the saw yet. I’ve found that by making some relatively minor modifications, a typical 3 ⁄4-hp to 1-hp, 14-in. cast-iron bandsaw can be transformed into an effective resawing machine. Indeed, my upgraded machine resaws 12-in.-wide maple boards with little effort.

The basic upgrade

The basic upgrade adds a riser block to increase the resaw capacity, a resaw blade, a heavier tension spring and a tall fence. This upgrade will enable you to start resawing stock as wide as 12 in.

Riser block doubles the capacity— Most manufacturers of 14-in. cast-iron bandsaws offer a riser-block kit as an optional accessory that increases the resaw capacity from roughly 6 in. to about 12 in. The kit also includes a longer guidepost and a pair of longer blade guards. The block is bolted between the upper and lower frames. All of the kits include extralong bolts to account for the added length.

A good resaw blade is a must— Perhaps more than anything else, a good-quality resaw blade can go a long way toward improving the resawing capabilities of a bandsaw. Resaw blades have large gullets that carry away the considerable sawdust that’s generated when cutting through wide boards. Avoid blades with small gullets and lots of teeth because they aren’t designed to cut wide stock.

From Fine Woodworking #159

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