Replies

1. 
   john_c2 | Jul 27, 2020 06:58pm | #1

   For doing it by hand, there really is no guide.

   I'd use a bandsaw. If I had no access to a bandsaw, I would get a Japanese rip saw, and practice.

2. 
   lat_axe | Jul 28, 2020 03:30am | #2

   I've been using a kerfing saw to put a guide-kerf all around the periphery of a plank to be re-sawed by hand. If the planks are fairly small and the slices to be sawed-off need to be thin, a kerfing saw channel does help a lot in stopping the resaw from wandering off-line by even the small amounts that would spoil a 1/8" slice.

   It still needs careful resawing (a good stance; and let the saw do the work without too much hand-pressure). For 1/8" slices you'd be best adding another 1/16" to lose to planing the saw-marks off.

   A Japanese pull sawing action seems to work well with the thin slices as you're less inclined to pressure the thin blade. Using a Western saw on the push stroke tempts you to hurry the job by adding hand pressure to the weight of the saw as it rips. Such pressure is one cause of the saw wandering off-line. (the other is a bad stance causing a curved rather than straight path of the saw-arm as one saws.

   It also helps if the kerfing-saw kerf-width is just a little (not a lot) wider than that of the resawing saw's kerf.

   Kerfing saws can be found for sale but there's very few of them. You could make your own dedicated kerfing saw for cutting 1/8" slices with a spare saw blade, scrap wood and a few bolts. A model could be Tom Fidgen's kerfing saw or a stair saw as sold by CMEhandworksinc.

   Lataxe

3. 
   Henry_L | Jul 29, 2020 11:29pm | #3

   I've found that a jewelers saw works wonderfully for shaping the 1/8" scales. I'll stay with that. After experimenting with several saws I'm not optomistic about 1/8 sectioning of blanks by hand (something like a pen blank but a bit longer).

   A band saw would be a first time use for me. I could afford something in the range of a WEN 3959 2.5-Amp 9-Inch Benchtop. I'd appreciate experienced counsel on that. I'm working with wood such as bog oak and kauri. Comparatively rare and I need to get it right the first time and retain my fingers in the process.

   Anyone?

4. 
   _mj_ | Jul 30, 2020 07:24am | #4

   That is a lower entry level hobby bandsaw. I would not expect too much from it for accurately resawing hardwood. If you are concerned about wasting material I would suggest saving up for something better.

5. 
   Henry_L | Jul 30, 2020 03:04pm | #5

   Thanks. My band saw need would be almost exclusively for my razor scaling projects and maybe other small scale stuff. No furniture, tiling, etc. I've read positive reviews on the POWERTEC BS900 9 inch and the SKIL 3386-01 9 inch. Anyone have feedback?

   Would I be able to do the same with a scroll saw? This might be more cost effective w/o quality issues?

6. 
   john_c2 | Jul 30, 2020 04:07pm | #6

   I wouldn't resaw with a scroll saw. I wouldn't buy a new Skil anything. Find an old Craftsman 12 inch bandsaw for under 100 bucks on Craigslist. It will do a lot more, a lot better, than any of the hobby 9 inch saws.