How To Use A Bandsaw
For woodworkers, the band saw is an indispensable “partner” in the woodworking room. It can realize cutting, sawing, cross-section, and even various curved cutting, such as making furniture’s curved feet, or circular, arched, and serpentine-like curved cabinets.
When using this tool for the first time, you may find that the band saw is a bit difficult. In this article, we will share with you how to use the band saw safely and quickly. When you are used to using them, they are very simple and straightforward.
But before that, let us first understand the basics.
Table of Contents
Working Principle
The band saw is mainly composed of four main parts: two wheels, a saw blade, a motor and a working table. The motor drives the lower saw wheel through the pulley. The ring band saw blade is installed on the two saw wheels with belts, and the cutting work is performed by continuous unidirectional linear motion.
The upper saw wheel needs to be adjusted in height and inclination according to the tension between the two shafts to ensure the normal operation of the band saw. The saw table is used to place the workpiece to be sawed, and can perform various angles of sawing operations according to the required inclination angle.
Precautions Before Use
Choose The Right Blade
If you want to cut curves, it may be better to use a narrow blade. If you need a smoother cut, choose a blade with more teeth. A blade with a higher TPI cuts slowly, but leaves a smooth surface. Low TPI blades are suitable for thick wood.
Blades with hardened teeth may cost more than regular blades, but they are more efficient and can provide you with precise cuts.
Adjust The Band Saw
The saw wheel, bearing and belt of the band saw must be kept in good condition to ensure the accuracy and stability of the band saw. First adjust the saw blade according to the tension gauge on the band saw.
Then gently move the saw wheel by hand to make the saw blade run. At this time, the saw blade should be centered steadily and the saw wheel does not shake, indicating that the adjustment is successful; otherwise, you need to consider replacing the bearing or belt.
Protective Measures
First of all, for eye safety, be sure to wear goggles. Wooden objects will generate a lot of dust, so that you can not see the operation process. Tiny dust may seriously hurt your eyes. Second, wear a dust mask or turn on a dust collector. There is evidence that wood chips can cause lung cancer. Finally, in order to protect your hearing from damage, it is best to wear earmuffs.
Use band Saw Correctly
Cutting Position
Set the height of the workbench above the waist. At that height, you will feel comfortable operating the tool. Set the blade guard at 1/8 to 1/4 inch from the stock. Always straighten your blade and make sure it is parallel to your fence. Mark the cutting line with a pencil and start cutting from the shallowest part to make the cutting more precise and smooth.
Push Slowly
Release The Tension Of The Blade
In order to extend the service life of the blade, it is recommended to release the tension of the band saw after each use of the machine. Some band saws have a quick release mechanism, while in other models, you need to turn the tensioning knob to reduce the blade tension.
Regular Maintenance
It is necessary to clean the blade and internal components regularly. At the same time, lubricate the bearing, adjusting rod and trunnion after wiping, so that the machine can run more smoothly.
Finally
Once you know how to set up and use the band saw safely, use it to your heart’s content. As the number of cuts increases, you will become more and more proficient.
Good luck for your next project!
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