Replies

1. 
   r_ignacki | Sep 13, 2002 12:59am | #1

   we started a band with a saw, one guy plays the washboard, another fills beer bottles up with water and blows across the tops.

   no turn left unstoned  

1. 
   RSRose | Sep 13, 2002 01:02am | #2

   Panama Red is smokin!

2. 
   WedgedTenon | Sep 13, 2002 01:50am | #3

   Your killing me.  Really what feedback I am looking for is whether a 16" or 18" bandsaw is suitable for cutting 6x6 or even 8x8 timbers up to 10 feet in length, in addition to more conventional resaw tasks.

1. 
   DennisS | Sep 13, 2002 02:14am | #4

   > ....what feedback I am looking for is whether a 16" or 18" bandsaw is suitable for cutting 6x6 or even 8x8 timbers up to 10 feet in length

   For what it's worth, I've ripped (not really re-sawn) stuff as thick as 10" on a Delta 14" 3/4hp bandsaw. Not 10' long by any means but cut it none the less. The biggest factor (for me) is motor power and blade. I used a 3/4" Lennox carbide tipped blade when I cut the big stuff. At 3/4hp it was a slow process. Bump the motor up to 1 or 1-1/2hp, maybe jack up the blade speed by changing pulleys and I'd feel comfy doing it. Except saw stand, the cheapie open leg thing that came with the saw, isn't all that stable. I'd stabalize the stand and build infeed and outfeed support for the material.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   AlanTurner | Sep 13, 2002 02:41pm | #5

   I have the 14" Delta, from about 1979 or so.  Recently kicked it to a 1.5 hp Baldor, changed pulleys, added the riser block, and run 1/2" Lennox, 3 tpi.  Added Iturra's tensioning spring.   I resaw 8" and larger with it, for veneer and drawer sides mostly, but boy is it slow.  I am thinking about a used industrial, but have height issues in my 7-2" basement.  My wife is objecting to digging out the floor, and under it runs the sewer mian, so it would be  huge, expensive, job.  These changes were great, as agaisnt the original 3/4 hp configuration.

   I'm thinking of a used Tannewitz, which I think would be about 2-3K, but a 24 or 30 I think is too tall.  Maybe I can dig out just a small portion for the base to sit in.  Not very mobile that way, however.

   Edited 9/13/2002 7:42:58 AM ET by s4s

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Sep 13, 2002 09:21pm | #7

   You are one brave man!!!  I couldn't dream of mentioning such a thing as digging  out the basement floor.

   A lot of the old saw mills with band saws for the head saw used to have the lower wheel underground to avoid having the carriage too high in the air, so there's good precedence for your plan.  Just be sure to allow plenty of room for access and some sort of structure to support a (steel?) floor.

   I've never used one, but weren't there some three wheeled models with good resaw capacity?  You could get one of those portable band-saw mills; they don't stand more than 4' high.  (Might need a bit, or more than a bit, or a heck of a lot of tweaking - call it a major rebuild -  but what the heck.  Anything to make the wife happy.)

   Jeff

2. 
   tedwick | Sep 13, 2002 05:52pm | #6

   I've had my Jeet 18" for over a year and am very happy with its resawing capabilities.  This after using a 14" Delta for about 23 years.

   For large timbers over 3 feet long, Id recommend an outfeed support of some sort.  I purchased the rollers and made my own so that I can use it on several of my power tools.  It provides outfeed support out to a little over 4 feet which is the center of gravity for an 8 foot length.

   Blades cost a bit more for the 18" length.  I love the adjustment controls on the Jet 18" and best of all for me was the price-I bought it on sale for $949.  I havent' seen it at that price since.  I spent $600 for my 14" in 1977 counting the 6"extension package which allowed resaw up to nearly 12" width.

   I do mosts of my ripping on the band saw over the table saw, except for small pieces and final cuts.

   I have found a planing/sawmill a couple hours drive from here that stocks lots of wood, mostly native to the north American east in many thicknesses.  So when you want a real timber, you end up doing quite a bit of re sawing to get the thichnesses you want for a given project.  I have resawn Wenge which is hard and brittle, cherry, lots of ash and oak.  Even some rather green interamerican woods, like purple heart and others whose names I do not know.

   If money is no object, I think the Laguna band saws are a bit more precision made than the Jet, however, I have no complaint during my 16 months of use of the 18" model.

   Best wishes, and enjoy.

   Ted

1. 
   WedgedTenon | Sep 13, 2002 10:04pm | #8

   In addition to cabinetry I would like to utilize the bandsaw for some minimal timberframe sawing--a garden shed.  At any rate, thanks for the feedback and points to ponder.