Thread: Opinions on choosing a saw to cut scale blanks

I'm in Toronto, there's no harbor freight here and I'm not interested in paying the shipping on something like that. Is a bandsaw not difficult to keep straight? From what ive seen, they all have flex in the blade unless it's an industrial type I've seen in machine shops.

Try any of the stores listed on this list first:

Ontario

If they have General brand equipment they'll have other good brands too.

Take a piece of what you want to rip in with you and the guys in the shop will get you sorted out I'm sure for your budget. Sometimes if they're like the store I go to here (KMS Tools) they'll even let you rent equipment to try it out and see if it does what you want.

Get yourself a good used Delta saw. They're not the highest high end but they're good workhorses and they're pretty plentiful.

Originally Posted by burns420

Is a bandsaw not difficult to keep straight? From what ive seen, they all have flex in the blade unless it's an industrial type I've seen in machine shops.

You are correct. It isn't easy to keep a PERFECTLY straight cut unless you have a great setup for it (wide blade, good fence, etc.).

A certain amount of blade flex is normal, and will not be the cause of you being incapable of cutting a straight line. if your pushing hard enough to have problems with blade flex, your pushing too hard! Nice and easy does it, in its own way, its like honing. proper blade choice too! thinner materials, finer teeth etc.

Table saw is to large, blade to big even with a thin curf blade. Not to mention they get expensive. I have a couple blades that tip the scales over 150. You hands will be danger close to that blade unless you build yourself a jig. I use a Jet 14 inch bandsaw with big motor. Get a Kreg fence for it, some good blades and you are set. Do not try to run the cheap stamped blades, they cut like, well, they cut bad. I use a ½ inch blade for resawing and a ¼ inch blade for cutting scales. 3/8 blade is good for about everything. No problems resawing 5 inch thick cocobolo.

with a properly set band saw all lined up and tight with a 1./2 inch blade you can easily cut 5 inch thick cocbolo or ironwood into 1/2 inch pieces without the scales being messed up . kellyw

So long as you don't mind spending 6 or 7 minutes per blank.. I find this works nicer than power tools

only problem Brad is you are not using the rip teeth. the crosses work obviously, but if you will get used to the rippers it will work sooo much better.

Originally Posted by HELLGAP

with a properly set band saw all lined up and tight with a 1./2 inch blade you can easily cut 5 inch thick cocbolo or ironwood into 1/2 inch pieces without the scales being messed up . kellyw

I think Kelly made a good point that is not discussed much, that is the set-up of the saw. On a band saw it is worth taking the time to make sure the wheels are on the same plane, the guides are adjusted, the tension is correct and you have a decent blade for the task on hand. On a table saw having the motor and fence lined up and square and a decent blade. You will get the most out whatever tool you have if it is tuned up. There are numerous good books on setting your tools so that you can get the most out what you have.

Charlie