Last Month's Meeting: Amie Fraser & Bandsaws
At the February meeting Aime Fraser gave a presentation on the basics
of setting up a bandsaw. Her opening comments were about the lack of attention
this machine tool gets from the average woodworker. She went on to relate
her experiences with the bandsaw as a result of her woodworking interest,
which is boatbuilding. This niche of woodworking is a continuing series
of curves and fairing and ribs and bulkheads and everything else that
can drive you nuts. So this was how Aime became an expert. The bandsaw
can make cuts that include ripping, crosscutting, curves, resawing and
circles. It is an extremely versatile machine, but it is usually relegated
to mundane tasks in most home shops. With the proper jugs and fixtures,
the bandsaw can be used to make dovetails, and with the use of templates,
it can produce accurate contour cuts. The uses of the bandsaw are limited
only by your imagination.
Ms. Fraser's presentation focused on the basic steps of setting up the
bandsaw for its optimum performance. She started with the alignment of
the wheels, which are rimmed with rubber tires that cushion the blade.
Using a straight edge on the rims of the wheels, she aligned them so that
they were both in the same place. Next was the position and spacing of
the upper and lower guide assemblies. Ms. Fraser mentioned that the position
of the guides is dependent on the type of guide blocks you use. There
are "cool blocks", metal blocks, bearing blocks and wood blocks.
Each of these have their own setting requirements with respect to the
blade.
Finally there was the choice of blade, which is determined by the thickness
of the wood being cut, the number of teeth in contact with the wood, and
the type of cut. There are basically three types of blades, based on the
tooth configuration: standard, skip and hook tooth blades. The standard
tooth is typically used for crosscut and cuts diagonal to the grain. The
skip tooth is for long gentle curves with the grain. The hook tooth can
cut straight, cut curves, rip and resaw.
Many craftsmen use the bandsaw and have mastered the saw to make bandsawn
boxes and lawn art, but there is a lot more potential in this machine.
Are there any members out there who could give the club a night's worth
of bandsaw techniques? I know it would make an interesting meeting. I'm
sure we can get enough muscle to haul the bandsaw in and out of the barn.
-- Gabe Jaen
