Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | May 25, 2003 05:35pm | #1

   Bob,

   There is an article in one of the last couple of issues of Fine Woodworking about using a 14 inch bandsaw for resawing and the saw they use is the Ridgid.  The author is shown cutting 11 inch wide maple with no problems.  You should also look up an article in Fine Woodworking from around a year ago about tuning up bandsaws.  The manual supplied with the Ridgid is better than most, but doesn't come close to telling you as much as a good article or book on the subject. 

   The fence on the Ridgid works well but it will need a taller face added for resawing and it will have to be adjusted for blade drift,  The steel guide blocks that come with the saw will work perfectly well, you aren't going to solve your problems with Cool Blocks or ball bearing guides.

   Bandsaws are fussy to set up and absolutely need the right kind of blade for the type of work being done.  Typically the blade that comes with the saw is very low quality and is too fine for resawing.  For resawing you should have a 2 to 3 tooth per inch blade made for resawing, most people report great results with Timberwolf blades from Suffolk Machinery, which I have been using, or Wood Slicers from Highland Hardware. 

   John W.

   
   

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   Edited 5/25/2003 10:39:24 AM ET by JohnW

   
   

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   Edited 5/25/2003 10:43:02 AM ET by JohnW

2. 
   RANGERP75R | May 25, 2003 06:38pm | #2

   bob

      John W did a good job of pin-pointing your problem. Every BS has blade-drift and each one is a little different. Until you align your fence for your particular saw's drift, you will continue to be puzzled by where the blade is going next. BTW, if you change blades the drift will be different and you need to run a test cut to re-calculate.

      I use a point fence, where the stock only touches the fence in a small area. In essence, your free-handing on the fly.Takes some getting used to and a ton of concentration, but I prefer it to a full fence. I use the Highland Hardware Re-Slice blade in 1/2" inch. It an the TimberWolf are tops for re-saw, IMO.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

3. 
   GHR | May 26, 2003 01:09am | #3

   Being an engineer I view resawing differently than most.

   Make a tall extension for your fence. Clamp the fence in place at both front and back. Adjust the table square to the fence. Set feather boards near the top and bottom of the cut to hold the stock against the fence. Then push the stock through.

1. 
   nohrn | May 26, 2003 05:01pm | #4

   thanks to all .. I'll get a different blade and taller fence and try that.................

1. 
   davearnone | May 27, 2003 12:51am | #5

   Bob, go ahead and get the proper blade. 

   For the fence i suggest you follow sarge's advice and align your feed axis with the preferred line of cut for the blade.  No matter which fence you use: George's big "plane" fence or Sarge's "line" contact fence you are going to have get the material feeding along the blade's line of action.  Otherwise you got a fight you are not going to win.

   Good luck

   dave

2. 
   jimmyk | May 27, 2003 04:39pm | #6

   Try making one of these resaw guides. I made one about 6 months ago and have used it many times and it works great.

   http://www.woodmall.com/projects/resaw_guide.html

4. 
   JCinNC | May 28, 2003 04:12pm | #7

   You maywant to check out the web site http://www.suffolkmachinery.com .  They sell the Timberwolf blades, and have some excellent articles on setting up your band saw.  I used some of the tips on my Mini Max 16" BS, and was very pleased with the results.

1. 
   davearnone | May 28, 2003 06:47pm | #8

   JCinNC, which tips did you use?  Which ones had the most impact?

   dave

1. 
   JCinNC | May 28, 2003 08:29pm | #9

   Try "The six rules of sawing" or troubleshooting.  These were helpful for me, this is my first bandsaw. 

1. 
   GHR | May 28, 2003 09:08pm | #10

   I think of lot of the resawing "ideas" deal with different problems.

   I resaw big stuff 4x6x10' WRC and 5/4x12x10' H. Mahogany and some small stuff 12x12x4" burls. I saw about 300bdft every January.

   I resaw to 1/8" + thickness sanding stock.

   I have a blade dedicated to resawing it cuts dead straight - .030" cleans up each side of the finished material. I never adjusted my fence to my saw's cut.

   If you use a blade for other than resawing, it might get dull on one side and tend to cut in that direction.