A bandsaw lesson that cost me $25

Lars S. · 2005-03-21T16:03:53+00:00

I just learned an interesting lesson about bandsaws and what can happen when the blade binds.I obtained about 20 feet of 10"x10" pine beams from a rennovation site (100 years old beams with very tight growth rings). I had the beam cut into 4 foot sections and then proceeded to resaw them into more manageable planks 2-3" thick. Anyway, as I was cutting through the second one, the blade bound up. I waited a few seconds, turned off the saw; readjusted the beam; turned on the saw, etc., I repeated this process about four times and only then decided that I needed to drive some wedges into the kerf to open the kerf up. So I did this, turned on the saw; waited a second; when the blade remained frozen I turned off the saw, wedged the kerf more; and repeated. After about the fifth try wedging the kerf open, my saw was free and I managed to cut the rest of the beam. Unfortunately, the tracking on the saw was now terrible and the blade didn't cut well at all.It turns out that while the blade didn't move, the 2HP motor and belt did, and the wheels spun free under the blade. I probably would have heard something except for the fact that I had hearing protection on at the time. It also turns out the melting point of urethane tires is somewhat lower than the the heat you can generate from rubbing urethane against steel at several thousand RPMs. My tires melted. Lesson learned. I don't recall this lesson in "The Bandsaw Book," but perhaps it was too obvious to print.At least Rockler has free shipping for the month of March so I was able to get a new set of tires ordered and shipped for about $25.

Mar 21, 2005 22 Replies

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mac davis 21 years ago

I think it depends on the saw (mine suggests 5/8" or 3/4" for resawing) and why you're resawing... I"m pretty much slicing thick slabs that will be turned, so the 3 TPI is fine, but I understand that if you're slicing thin veneer that you want a fine tooth blade, both to minimize tear out and give a minimum kerf..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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George 21 years ago

Don't rely on the switch. My most embarrassing injury cane to the knuckle of the ring finger on my right hand. Almost vertical cut, which fortunately missed the tendon.

As the doc was sewing it up, he asked how. I said "band saw," then noticed his puzzled expression as he tried to figure out how I could have done it. Easy to do if you turn the machine off and begin to brush away the dust as it freewheels silently to a stop...

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mac davis 21 years ago

good point, George... I think that reading your story of that injury ( a few months before getting my BS) has been in my mind and keeping me away from a blade that MIGHT be moving..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

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