What To Look For In A Bandsaw Light?

In most circumstances, there is no better tool than a band saw for cutting exact curves in wood. However, a high-quality band saw is capable of far more than simply slicing curves. When cutting tenons and some smaller rabbets, tearing small stock, and resawing small pieces of wood into thin strips, these tools shine.

Types of Band Saws

Band saws can be mounted on a specialised stand or a tabletop and come in two major flavours: floor-standing cabinet variants and shorter units. For the home carpenter, the smaller units are better suited than the larger cabinet versions. Cabinet models include additional features, larger motors, and a stronger frame that provides more consistent cutting. This is not to imply, however, that a bench-mounted band saw cannot produce professional results.

Main Features

When purchasing a band saw, the depth of cut and the throat are the most important factors to consider. Table to upper blade guides are used to measure the saw’s depth of cut. In many cases, band saws are advertised only on the ability to cut stock up to a certain thickness. However, an optional riser can be fitted to some saws that only have a six-inch depth of cut, allowing the depth to be increased to twelve inches. The ability to resaw thicker stock with less expensive saws is made possible because of this.

Distance between blade to vertical frame section of saw’s body is known as throat. The breadth of the band saw’s cut can be determined by this distance. It’s common for free-standing cabinet band saws to have a throat longer than the 12 to 14 inches found on bench-top saws. You should be aware that the manufacturer is referring to the throat size when referring to a “18-inch Band Saw” in promotional materials.

Size of Motors

The power of the band saw’s engine should also be taken into account when buying one. Professional models have larger motors with variable speeds, whereas the majority of home-level machines have motors ranging from 3/4 to 1 horsepower in size.. Because metals and some hard polymers should be cut at slower than peak rates, woodworkers don’t need variable speed.

Additional Features to Consider

For angled cuts, every band saw should have a table that tilts up to 45 degrees, whether it’s made of cast iron, steel, or aluminium alloy. A mitre track and a 16-inch width and length are standard for this table. To keep your band’s wheels clean, look for wheels with tyres and cleaning brushes included. To connect your vacuum cleaner, look for a machine that has an in-built dust collection port. A rip fence and a mitre gauge are two essential additions to your band saw, if one isn’t already included. When ripping, resawing, and cross-cutting, these two add-ons will come in handy.

Set-Up

Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when assembling your band saw. The band saw must be fine-tuned many times before it can cut effectively. These instructions, which include setting the blade tension and adjusting the blade guides, thrust bearings and side bearings, will have a negative impact on the saw’s performance and increase the risk of blades breaking in half.

Not only can the owner’s handbook aid in the appropriate set-up of your saw, but it will also educate you on the best practices for cutting safely with your saw. Although a band saw is one of the safest power woodworking tools, it needs to be set up correctly before use to ensure safety. Working with a band saw may be a lot of fun, but only if done right.

Recommended Readings (Power Tools Bible)

• Different Ways Of Planning End Grain To Avoid Splitting The Stock
• Best Hand Planes for End Grain
• Tek or Self-Drilling