Vee Block for Resawing

Attaching a vee-edged block to the bandsaw table counters the blade's tendency to drift.

By M. G. Rekoff Jr. Oct 25, 2005

I have had only mixed results using a rip fence on a bandsaw for resawing wood. Unless the blade teeth are perfectly set and sharpened, the blade tends to drift even though the board is firmly held against the fence. This drifting can cause the wood to bind and will leave a wavy surface.

The blade’s tendency to drift can be sidestepped by using a vee-edged block attached to the bandsaw table, as in the drawing. The block is located so that its rounded point is even with the toothed edge of the blade, and at the desired thickness of board from the blade. The block must be carefully made so that the radius at the vee is square to the face of the blade.

To use this approach the board to be resawed is scribed along its edge at the desired thickness. The vee-block provides a guide to hold the side of the board parallel to the blade. The board is fed into the blade with the operator free to swing the unsawed end to counter the drift. The surface will still need to be planed before it is of furniture quality, but this setup is much easier, faster and more accurate than using a rip fence.

M. G. Rekoff Jr., Minneapolis, Minn.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, Winter 1976 No. 5

vee block for resawing