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Resawing.
Resawing is the process of cutting a board in half along its height. The bandsaw is perhaps
the most creative tool in the shop because of its ability to cut thick or thin, straight or curved.
The ability to cut thick stock such as re-sawing, making veneers, book matching or cutting
flitches from small logs has great appeal to the woodworker. These capabilities greatly
enhance th
e woodworker’s design ability without the need for additional equipment. When a
board is resawed and the two pieces are lying next to each other, you will note that they are
mirror images of each other. When these two boards are glued together, it is called book-
matching.
Note: It is unsafe to cut wood that is unsupported by the table and should never
be attempted. This is especially important to note when cutting round logs.
Blades.
Introduction.
The selection and use of blades is a very extensive subject, and there have been many
books written on it. This section of the manual is intended as a general guide only.
Selecting a blade.
Using the correct blade is important, as it is the first step in attaining good bandsaw
performance. The most frequently asked question is "How do I decide on the correct blade to
use?" The answer is not simple, and we will explore it in this section of the manual. Firstly,
there is
NO
ideal blade that will do everything. The blades that you choose will be determined
by the type of work that you are doing. Large-tooth wide blades are selected for fast course
cuts, and fine, thin blades are used for intricate scrollwork. You will find that you will need a
large selection of blades if you do a lot of varied work and fewer blades if you are
concentrating on one section of bandsawing such as re-sawing. Using the wrong blade is the
best way to abuse it. Using a blade for its intended purpose allows for maximum efficiency
and is the best way to prolong its life.
Blade terms.
Set.
The amount that the teeth are wider than the thickness of the backing material. The larger the
set, the larger the saw cut and the smaller the radius that can be cut. This can also be an