Is this safe?

Re: Is this safe?

Mike Schwing from Md.

>A few dabs of hot melt glue or some double stick tape would make it pretty safe. As it is - likely to roll on you. For added stability, take a big square block and tape/glue it to the facegrain. I've done that when I made the same error, was pretty safe.

Re: Is this safe?

Dale Stansbery

>I don't think it would be a recommended way to make the cut. Leaving it sit in the piece previously cut off will possibly help a little but if the blade catches, the round could spin out of your control. What may make it safer would be to use lots of hot glue and secure the round in the cut off, but proceed at your own risk.

Re: Is this safe?

dopic1

>I agree with everybody else hot melt glue should keep it stable, just make sure you have a good band saw blade and feed slowly

Re: Is this safe?

Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA

>Charlie, put it on the lathe! This is the perfect time to practice the "invisible line" technique! Before you know it, the blank will be flat and smooth.

Bill

I did it.

Charlie Anderson in Southern Maryland

>It was fine. I did have a brand new 3 tpi Timberwolf blade on it.

Bill I finished that block of cherry and my bandsaw is still running. :-)

Thanks guys. I now have a stack of rounds ready for roughing and a wheelbarrow load of logs outside the shop ready to make more.

Re: I did it.

Robert Cox

>Remember, when you get them round they need to be outside for a while.

(What days do you work again?)

Re: Is this safe?

Keith Tompkins

>Charlie, looking at your photo makes me a bit nervous....if you have to wonder "is this safe?" it probably is not.

You may be able to cut lots of blanks this way, but it only takes ONCE to regret it.

Personally, if I were going to true up blanks in this way, I would build a dedicated jig or sled that held the blank securely, with your hands nowhere near the blade, in case of an accident.

Hope this helps!

Re: Is this safe?

Barry Turner

>If it were me, I would true up the blank on the lathe. It would be much safer. You do like turning don't you? As for me, I like turning a lot more than I like bandsawing. Get used to hogging off large amounts of wood quickly on the lathe with the bowl gouge. It's a very useful technique.

My bandsaw is not nearly as large as yours. When using the bandsaw, always keep the blade guide lowered to just above the maximum thickness of the stock to minimize the amount of exposed blade. The more exposed blade, the greater the risk.

Plus, on a cut like this, there is the added risk of the blank rolling and breaking the blade, or worse. The bandsaw is a very useful tool for a woodturner and it appears you have a large nice one. But, it's also a potentially very dangerous tool. Give it the respect it deserves.

Re: I did it.

Charlie Anderson in Southern Maryland

>I normally work Monday and Tuesday. But I'm home by 5.

Re: Is this safe?

John K Jordan

>I think it is safe. This is an accepted technique.

Quote from "Band Saw Handook" by Mark Duginske: "One technique that works well is to use the waste cutoff as a jig for holding the work."

The force from the blade is straight down and you will certainly have enough friction from the rough cutoff to keep the blank from turning. I'd worry if it was a smooth cylinder on a smooth jig but I doubt if it would be easy to spin the blank on the cutoff if you tried. The cut itself should be no more difficult than resawing a wide board.

The hot glue trick would certainly be added security, but I personally don't think it is necessary. Another thing you can do is fasten (clamp) the round securely to a jig or another large block of wood that can ride flat on the table.

But with any power tool, wear safety glasses and watch where you put your hands - imagine where your hands could be pulled or pinched if something did go wrong. And don't use a dull blade - just like many other tools, even a carving knife, if a blade is not sharp you may need or be tempted to apply force.

JKJ in East TN

Re: I did it.

Robert Cox

>Then those won't be my tire tracks.....