Saws

mikeg · #1 10-21-2004, 12:26 PM

I've got a question about saws.

I've currently got a compound miter saw, a scroll saw and a circular saw. I usually get my basswood as fairly long planks like 8' x 10' x 2'. I can usually crosscut it by cutting it on the miter saw, flipping it, and cutting again. I've used both my scroll saw and my circular saw to rip it with less than ideal success.

I want to get a bandsaw to cut blanks but since I generally get my basswood in fairly large sizes, I'm wondering if I can easily use a bandsaw for ripping and crosscuting as I would on a table saw. Or should I get a table saw first to cut the wood down to a block of usable size? ???

I'm also wondering what you guys would suggest for a bandsaw. I searched the message board and know that Hi-Ho recommends the Grizzly. Any other comments? Let me end this by saying money IS an issue, I can only buy one at this time. I'll probably have to wait until Christmas for Santa to bring the other.

thanks,
mikeg

AlArchie · #2 10-21-2004, 12:34 PM

Mike you almost need two bandsaws if you plan to do any resawing (ripping to size) as a good resaw blade is at least 1' wide and most of the standard workshop bandsaws only will accomodate 1/2' blades. For cutting blanks you'll need a saw that can comfortably handle 1/4' and smaller blades. A large saw MAY accomodate the thinner blades, but the others won't take wide blades. I use a sears with a 1/2' blade for resaw, but it is a tricky proposition and you can't just use a standard fence and expect to do it without a lot of blade 'wander'.

Al

BobD · #3 10-21-2004, 12:36 PM

Mike,
Like anything else, get the best you can afford. I'm not familiar with the grizzly, but my dad got one of the consumer grade Deltas (read cheaper grade) and it's just about a step up from cutting things by hand! There are times when I can cut faster with a hand coping saw than that saw can cut.

As far as ripping down boards, its six and 1/2 dozen. A table saw (should be) is the most accuarate saw. If you are doing any cabinetmaking or other carpentry, get a table saw. You can easily rip 2' thick stock with most table saws.

On the other hand, you can't rough out most carvings with a table saw. That's where a band saw becomes important. If you don't care how straight your rig cut is (Since you are going to be cutting the basswood into carving blanks anyway) a bandsaw works great for ripping. In fact, they make band saw mills to cut your own lumber! For rough ripping or resawing boards, nothing beats a bandsaw.

To make a long answer short, if you are only interested in carving, get a good bandsaw (and maybe a scroll saw for intricate work).

Bob

oldbearx2 · #4 10-21-2004, 12:49 PM

Hey Mike I also do a lot of woodworking and was told by an old pro that ' a good table saw should be your first investment'. I guess I have to agree, once you get the block down to carving size sometimes you don't even need to bandsaw it, just go with it. I own an older Jet bandsaw that has the riser block so I can cut thicker wood. It works ok, but is not the greatest. Don't know about the quality of the newer ones. My advice is buy the best one you can afford. I have a friend who has a Delta with the riser block and in my opinion is much better than my Jet. Trying to rip or even cross cut on a bandsaw and make anything square can be a challenge. I would suggest checking with a woodworking shop, there is a Woodcraft shop near me and they sometimes have demonstrations and seminarsm maybe check on a bandsaw one and get some ideas there.

have fun, carve oldbearx2

BobD · #5 10-21-2004, 01:06 PM

See what you get when you ask a question on thei board

Three totally different answers ???

Anyway, it's really just a matter of personal preference. Do you cut your board to length before ripping them, or do you want to rip before you cut to length, all these things factor in...

Bob

mikeg · #6 10-21-2004, 01:20 PM

I was expecting multiple answers. It's always good to get other people's take on an issue. This board is very good for providing multiple views!!

I'm trying to think of a project I need to do around the house that could justify me buying one of the saws out of our 'projects fund'.

Then I could get the other one out of my 'mad' money!

thanks for the input folks!

mikeg

AlArchie · #7 10-21-2004, 01:24 PM

Bob, I don't think you got three different answers...you are right nothing beats a bandsaw for resawing or ripping, BUT, the bandsaws made for that are the wide tired ones that handle proper resaw blades. A check on the blade suppliers will find that they don't even offer a 'resaw' blade under 3/4' width, and most run upwards from 1'. Those 'lumber making' bandsaws usually run a two to three inch blade, and the larger mills push a six inch blade.

Best solution I've found for running a true cut with my Sears is to get the best 1/2' blade I can find, and use pivot point fence, scribe a line where I want the cut and run the board past the pivot, making corrections for drift as I go. Otherwise the drift will invariably screw up the cut and usually binds the blade to a dead stop.

Al

BobD · #8 10-21-2004, 01:29 PM

Al,
I have had luck resawing with the thinner blades, it just takes a little more time. I guess it all depends on how long the piece you want to resaw is.

An alternative would be to mark out the roughouts you want to cut on the block when it's full sized and just cut them out instead of resawing at all...

But if you can swing getting a table saw, Mike, I'd go for both!
Bob

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #9 10-21-2004, 03:21 PM

my old shopsmith bandsaw would take 5/8 inch blades and I did a lot of resawing on it without any problems....a guy on television, can't think of his name, recommends the 1/2 inch blade with 4 teeth per inch for resawing.....you really need both the tablesaw and the bandsaw...remember with the bandsaw, unless you spend a bunch of money, you will end up with a 14 inch throat so you are not going to cut an 8 ft board in half....

mikeg · #10 10-21-2004, 05:58 PM

Well, I think I was hoping for a different answer but it looks like I should probably go with the table saw first. It would allow me to get the wood down to a block that I can then work with. I can still use my scroll saw for making the blank if it is small enough.

Thanks again for all of your advice!

mikeg