Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
JL
I need some 45 degree cuts on large glued up wood blanks. By large, I mean 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" x 15" blanks.
I have a 14" Delta band saw w/ a 1/4" blade, a 12" CMS and a 10" Cabinet saw - not to mention numerous hand tools. I tried using my large band saw but there was a bit too much drift in the cut (maybe I should tighten the blade more?).
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
Tim
Stick to the bandsaw and try a slower feed rate.
Are you using a wide band blade?
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
Jack Guzman from Maine
You could try a local tool rental for a beam saw. Used by timber framers it is a hand held circular(skil)saw with a 15" blade.
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
John K Jordan
Was it "drift" or bowing or some kind of curved cut?
Typically drift results in a straight cut but the fence must be adjusted to match the drift (or tune up the saw to eliminate the drift).
If the blade is bowing or making a curved cut it can be one of several things. Some that come to mind:
- Insufficient tension (big reason)
- Dull blade
- Teeth on blade dull on one side
- The blade gummed up from cutting green wood
- The wrong blade for the cut
- Cutting too fast.
- Guides not adjusted properly
JKJ
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
Dave Bair
Make your initial cuts using the table saw set at it's maximum height and finish with the band saw. The table saw cuts will reduce the amount of wood the band saw needs to cut and the kerf will keep it's blade from excessive drift.
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
walta
+1 on Dave Bair advice
Walta
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
TomD
Clean up with hand plane if your skills run in that direction. That is the fastest and easiest way to get a perfect surface over a large area miter.
A further option would be to make a mini sled for your router.
Sounds good to me.
JL
I will also switch blades on my band saw to something w/ fewer TPI so it won't clog.
Re: Sounds good to me.
John K Jordan
>>>I will also switch blades on my band saw to something w/ fewer TPI so it won't clog.
I find that 3 tpi blades work well for cutting up to 12" thick in either dry or wet wood. I would use 2 tpi if I could get them easily.
Another option for very straight cuts is get them cut on a bandsaw mill like the woodmizer. The trick would be holding the blocks securely. I've used mine to straighten dry wood but only larger pieces like 16' beams.
JKJ
Re: Accurately sawing large wood blanks?
William Duffield
That's how I've successfully done it, too. And if you are having trouble with your bandsaw, there is usually little enough wood to get through, after the tablesaw has done most of the work, that it is easy enough to finish up the separation with a hand saw.