Bandsaws

[devonwoody]

I have often seen threads here requesting recommendations re purchasing a bandsaw.

Most posters seem to be asking about the larger dimension machines with above 8" depth of cut.

I used to run a 6" depth of cut machine and it performed nearly all of my needs.

The only occasion so far using my Axminster 450 model resawing a short 10" lump I realised I would not have been able to manage a 2.4 metre length of the stuff without some assistance from another pair of hands.

So if you are considering the higher spec machines perhaps you were not aware what the weight and control needed.

 

[RogerP]

Sometimes the larger machines are bought for their greater width of cut as much for the greater depth of cut over their smaller brethren. I do agree about the weight of large lumps of timber but have found well arranged sets of roller stands can make all the difference. I sometimes use four of them and spend a while getting their height "just so" - then the wood glides through.

 

[beech1948]

RogerP has it right.

I recently had to cut the ends of 9"x9"x12' long tanalised ( whatever it is now) wood into some very large tenons and half lap joints for a pergola...actually 10 of them.

I'm 64 so not as strong as when I was 54. I fixed up a length of old industrial rollers across some saw horses and shimmed them to the right height both for approaching the blade and retreating from it. Because the blade was buried in 9" deep wood ( wet, stringy, pine) I also fixed a fence like batten along the length of the rollers to align the wood to the blade.

Was a two man lift on/off, turn over to each of 4 side to cut, turn ends round and repeat so 20x4 cuts.

So plan it, use mechanical help and get another body to help lift.

Hot bath after was very welcome.

Al