Bandsaw cutting problems

[Neville Lawler]

Hi
I am having serious problems when cross cutting large circular sections on my bandsaw. These are 3 - 4 inchs in diameter and the blade snatches them and "fires" them across the workshop. The blades were new from Dure-Edge, now ruined along with the wood. I do not have problems cutting smaller diameters only the large ones. I need to reduce the cost of replacement blades along with the time in preparing the wooden sections, also my luck in avoiding the flying sections. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Neville

 

[Chris Knight]

Neville,

Are you trying to cut these freehand? It is very easy to twist the workpiece inadvertently and snag the blade. You need to use the mitre gauge or make up a suitable sled.

 

[jasonB]

You need to make a sledge, the downward force of the blade rotates the cylinder into the blade which increases the cut, which increases the force and so on.

Jason

 

[Neville Lawler]

Hi
Many thanks for the advice, I will definitely use a sledge next time.

Neville