Bandsaw Upgrades

For frequent resawing, consider getting a larger saw or souping-up the one you have.

You can upgrade to a 1-1/2-hp motor for about $200. At that price, a motor upgrade only makes sense if a slow feed rate is absolutely killing you, or you have to replace the motor for other reasons. Be sure to maintain the same shaft diameter, rpm and rotation direction as your original motor.

Changing your guide blocks to bearing-style guides (Photo 9) means investing about $150. The bearings on these guides are designed to run in contact with the blade, eliminating the friction you get from guide blocks. Less friction means less heat and longer blade life. Most of the heat in resawing, however, comes from the blade’s contact with the wood. Because bearings can be used in contact with the blade, they can help the blade run straighter, resulting in less drift.

Similarly, nonmetal Cool Blocks ($15) can be run directly against the side of your bandsaw blade. While they won’t help the blade run straighter like bearings can, they do make set-up easier. You don’t have to worry about spacing the blocks away from the blade.

GUIDE BEARINGS instead of guide blocks (shown here without the guard) can help bandsaw blades run straighter. They cost about $150, and are available for virtually any saw (see Sources, page 50).

MEDIUM-SIZED BANDSAWS (16 in. and 18 in.) are excellent for resawing, with larger motors, wider blades and larger tables. Prices are generally $1,000 to $1,800.
For increased capacity, look for a riser block ($110) for your saw. These blocks aren’t available for all saws, but if you can get one you can increase the saw’s capacity by 6 in. They’re available for some saws from Delta, Grizzly, Jet and Ridgid. Riser blocks are saw-specific, so be sure you get the one designed for your saw’s specific make and model.

Before dropping too much dough on your bandsaw, remember that $1,000 to $1,800 gets you a brand new saw with big capacity, a monster motor, and guide bearings. These big boys are the ultimate resaw machines.



Previous Page

Bandsaw Resawing • Tool Up: Blade Selection & More
When Good Cuts Go Bad • The ABCs of Resawing
The ABCs of Resawing (continued) • Drying Wood & Veneering a Panel Bandsaw Upgrades

Feature Article • Bandsaw Resawing • August 2000
© 2000 American Woodworker Magazine ®