What is a Band Saw Used for?
Band saws are versatile. While they don’t cut straight as well as a table saw does, they’re safer to use. And while a table saw can cut joints such as dadoes and rabbets that a band saw can’t, these joints are also easily cut with a router. With the correct blade, a band saw can cut wood or metal, in either curves or straight lines. Blades come in a variety of widths and tooth counts. Narrower blades are good for tighter curves, while wider blades are better at straight cuts. More teeth per inch provide a smoother cut, while fewer teeth per inch give a faster but coarser cut. A good, general use blade might be ½-inch-wide with three teeth per inch.
Bandsaw Sizes
The size of a band saw is given in inches, with 14-inch being the most common. The size refers to the distance between the blade and the saw’s throat, or the column that supports the upper wheel. Band saws range in size (and price) from 10-inch benchtop machines to 24-inch freestanding ones for professional shops. 14-inch freestanding saws probably provide the most bang for your buck—and used ones are readily available.
How to Set Up a Band Saw
For a band saw to cut its best, the blade must be installed correctly. This is the trickiest part about using a band saw, and it’s not that hard. To track true and keep the blades on the wheels, band saws rely on guides above and below the table. To begin, make sure none of the guides are touching the blade. Then, follow these steps:
Cutting Straight Lines Using a Band Saw
Want to cut a straight line with your band saw? Follow these steps:
Cutting Curves with a Band Saw
Start by matching the blade to the curve. Then, follow these tips: The more you use a band saw, the more versatile you’ll find it, and the better you’ll become with it.
