The Bandsaw Book
A Comprehensive Guide to One of the Most Versatile Tools In The Workshop ... The Bandsaw

The bandsaw is found in three out of four professional woodshops. In fact, its the most widely used woodworking tool of all. Although deceptively simple -- a steel blade rotating around two rubber-clad wheels -- the bandsaw does its best work when its properly tuned.

Enter Lonnie Bird: In The Bandsaw Book, Bird gives you all the information you may have wished came with the owners manual plus a lot more, like what to look for when buying a bandsaw and how to tune it up for optimal performance.

Organized for easy access, the book provides in-depth, practical information on setup, tuning, choosing blades, and operation. Also covered are all bandsaw techniques from basic to advanced. More than 225 color photos and illustrations.

Introduction:

Without a doubt, the bandsaw is one of the most popular woodworking machines. In fact, surveys show that the vast majority of woodworkers own a bandsaw. Those who dont have one plan to buy one within the next year. Why is the bandsaw so popular? Certainly it must stem from the uniqueness of the saw and its application to so many areas of woodworking.

When it comes to cutting curves, the bandsaw has no equal: The narrow blade on the bandsaw can easily follow almost any contour. And the average bandsaw can cut much thicker stock than any jigsaw or scrollsaw. Yet the bandsaw can cut so much more than just curves. It also performs remarkably well while precisely cutting straight lines, such as when slicing veneer of uniform thickness or cutting intricate dovetail joints. In fact, many woodworkers would most likely be surprised to see how widely the bandsaw is used in industry for precision cutting of metal.

I wrote this book for several reasons. One was to help woodworkers explore new bandsawing techniques. Too often the bandsaw is viewed as a tool just for cutting curves. But the bandsaw, even an inexpensive one, is much more versatile than that. My aim is to help woodworkers expand their abilities by learning practical, useful methods. I also wrote this book to provide background information so that woodworkers can understand concepts essential to using the machine. For example, the success that all of us desire from the bandsaw depends on a precisely tuned machine. The bandsaw requires careful adjustments much as any other woodworking machine and more than most. When you understand concepts related to adjusting the machine, you can more effectively work with it.

Additionally, I wanted to provide insight into how the bandsaw works and to help woodworkers make wise buying decisions. There are a lot of manufacturers making bandsaws these days. Many produce a great saw; others produce an average saw. And, unfortunately, some just seem to want your money. Ive included information in this book to help you steer clear of the last category of manufacturers and their machines.

In the same vein, I've also included information on bandsaw blades so that woodworkers can make informed purchasing decisions about them. The blade you select will strategically affect your bandsawing success -- or failure. Most consumer catalogs offer only a small selection of inexpensive carbon-steel blades, and while these blades work well for the average cut, they have major shortcomings when the cut is demanding.

Like all other woodworking tools, such as circular sawblades and router bits, bandsaw blades have become very sophisticated. If you're accustomed to using the blade that came on your bandsaw, you'll be amazed at the success you can achieve with a great blade. I've included information in this book to help you reach this level of mastery.

Finally, I wanted to combine this information in a useful, organized way. Don't just pour over this book while sitting at home -- take it to your shop and get some dust between the pages! Its my hope that this book will help you achieve the success you desire with your bandsaw.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

1 The Versatile Bandsaw
The Bandsaw Can Do the Work of Several Tools
Bandsaw Anatomy
Types of Bandsaws

2 Bandsaw Features and Options
Frames
Wheels and Covers
Tension Screws and Gauges
Guides
Guideposts
Tables
Motors and Drivetrains

3 Buying a Bandsaw
What Size Saw?
Blade-Changing Considerations
Choosing Guides
Rating Overall Quality
Shopping for a New Bandsaw
Shopping for a Used Bandsaw

4 Bandsaw Blades
Bands of Steel
Blade Width and Thickness
Tooth Form
Pitch
Choosing a Blade
Caring for Your Blades
Making Your Own Carbon-Steel Blades

5 Safety
Bandsaw Safety Guidelines
Fitting Dust Collection to Your Bandsaw

6 Tuning Your Bandsaw
Changing Blades
Tensioning Blades
Tracking
Adjusting the Guides
Vibration Problems
Tables
Thrust-Bearing Problems
Guide-Block Maintenance

7 Basic Bandsaw Techniques
How to Cut Curves
Stacking Multiples
Ripping on the Bandsaw
Removing Bandsaw Marks

8 Advanced Bandsaw Techniques
Compound Curves
Resawing
Bandsaw Joinery
Template Sawing

9 Bandsaw Jigs
Stops
Jigs for Arcs
Jigs for Circles
Fences for Resawing
Point Guides for Resawing Curves
Fences for Bandsawing Small Logs

10 Bandsaw Projects
Mitered Box
Connecticut Tea Table
Tea Caddy

Sources

Index

Soft-cover, 8 x 10 in., 208 pages, with over 225 color photos and drawings
Published 1999

ISBN: 978-1-56158-289-1