I have a couple of 8/4 S4S beech that I want to resaw into two thinner peices. I do not have a bandsaw and can’t find anyone in the area willing to resaw it for me.
Can I successfully resaw a 7 inch wide x 8 foot long board on a Delta cabinet saw with a Unifence? What potential problems are there with this approach. Any blade recommendations?
Replies
Dear Pino,
Just these basics, in case they apply:
1. Avoid resawing lengths that are uncalled-for. Rather handle pieces just long enough for the final pieces. The longer the rip, the more effort, difficulty, and risk.
2. Make sure to use a rip-blade with just a few teeth.
The old-timers could re-saw boards with a hand-saw. Again, the shorter, the easier.
Good luck.
-mbl-
Pino,
I do it all the time on my Grizzly cabinet saw. I flatten the board first and use a 24 tooth blade...take my time...finish up on the planner. If the board is wider than 7" you'll have a strip still joining the pieces. I use a sawzall with a 12" blade to finish things up. Recently I made a cross cut saw for the purpose but have not used it yet.
Thanks you both for the insights. I plan on giving it a try this weekend.
I had to do the same thing a couple of weeks ago for some walnut panels.
It took bit of fooling around and some frustration, but I figured it out with some help from my buddy Tom. He'll probably read this so I better give him his due. Here's what I figured out:
-I agree, the shorter the piece, the better
-mill it square first
-take multiple small passes, because the blade will tend to bind, especially if the grain is in any way wild or wavy. I raised the blade about 1/2-3/4" at a time, but you could get away with more. I was paranoid about ruining the walnut.
-If they are over 6" wide - the sawzall sounds interesting, and would probably work. might be hard to control. I used a chisel.
best of luck.
Pino,
Others may certainly disagree, but, the first time I tried resawing with my tablesaw, I felt awfully uncomfortable with the safety of the cut. This is particularly true when you're trying to use an entire piece of wood and you have a thin, tall piece of wood to cut. Also, you're going to waste a lot of wood with the thicker kerf of a table saw blade.
I was fortunate enough to be able to buy a bandsaw and abandoned my table saw resawing adventures almost immediately. Be careful whatever you decide to do.
Matt
Do-able, but not particularly safe. Make sure you resaw over finished thickness because the re-sawn stock will need flattening.
pino,
The only workshop accident I've had in 20 years occurred while doing this about 5 years ago. If you must, follow the other's recommendations and use a zero clearance insert so nothing catches or binds up as it goes over the blade. I also recommend leaving a small strip to cut out with a hand saw or sawzall in the middle. Lessens the chance of one of the freshly cut pieces getting thrown back at you.
The injury I sustained came about despite using feather boards, a high fence and a push stick. The push stick slid down into the emerging teeth which kicked the push stick back while my finger continued forward into the blade. Luckily, it only got the middle of the fingernail off my index finger. (Imagine a dado running the length of your fingernail!) No long term damage but lots of blood and an interesting discussion with an emergency room doctor about the effects of all the pain killer pumped into my hand. It numbed everything but the finger! I still have an odd looking half-moon shape in that fingernail to remind me that a band saw is a great too.
Work safely!
Kell
I've cut 7" wide walnut veneer on a table saw, more or less. I cut about 2" into each side an inch at a time, then used a handsaw to cut the middle 3". The partial cuts from either side guided the saw very well.
Then, I planed the wood flat on that side and made another slice. However, I agree with all the advice given:
- Small bites, no more than 3/4" is a little safer.
- Sharp blade.
- well prepared block.
- Shortest usable lengths.
- If the kerf closes, give up on that piece - don't keep cutting in the TS.
I've used a bandsaw since I got one. Much better idea.
By the way, I'm awed by the thought of someone cutting sizable veneers with a handsaw. But they did! And Lie Neilson didn't exist yet!!
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