Band Saw
Function:
To make curved and irregular cuts in wood.
Why we use it:
The band saw is an excellent tool for making curved cuts in wood. Because the blade travels only in one direction, the wood you are cutting is not likely to jump around as you cut it, as it sometimes does when using a jig saw or a scroll saw. Also, because the blade is one long continuous loop, we can cut wood up to 10" thick with this tool.
Safety Concerns:
-When using the band saw, it is important that you lock the blade guard in place so that it is no more than 1/4 inch above the wood you are cutting. The guard should not be higher than this for a few reasons:
-Having it too high exposes more of the blade, which is dangerous.
-The guard also holds the blade in place. If it is too high, the blade will be much less stable, which will result in an inferior cut.
-The blade is more likely to be twisted and break if the guard is too high.
-When you are done with the band saw, you should do these 2 things before leaving the
machine:
-Wait for the blade to come to a complete stop.
-Lower the blade guard down to the surface of the table.
-You should always keep your fingers at least 4 inches away from the moving blade. If they are closer than this, they could get thrown into the moving blade if the wood catches or if you slip while making your cut.
-Never stand to the right of the band saw table. Also, never allow anyone else to stand to the right of the table. If the blade should break, it is likely to shoot off of the table in that direction. If someone is standing there, they could be severely wounded, perhaps even eviscerated.
-You should never back out of a cut you are making while the blade is moving. Doing so could cause these problems:
-It could burn or splinter your wood.
-It could pull the blade of the wheels.
-It could bend or break the blade.
-If the blade starts to bind, do not force the wood to complete the cut. Instead, turn off the machine and figure out why the blade is binding.
-If the blade starts to make a clicking sound it is likely because the blade has a crack in it.
If this happens, you should immediately do these 2 things:
-Turn off the machine.
-Tell the instructor.
-When cutting a sharp turn on the band saw, the blade can bind, bend, or even break. To help prevent these things from happening, it is necessary to make relief cuts in the wood. By making these cuts first, small pieces of wood are cut loose from the wood as it is being cut. This is an example of relief cuts:
-Never touch the two adjustment knobs which adjust the blade tension and the angle of the top wheel. If you move these knobs, the blade could come off the wheels.
-Never open the doors which cover the drive wheels.
Additional Information:
-When making a cut on the band saw, cut to the outside of your line, leaving a small amount of material which you will be able to sand away. This will allow you to more precisely create your piece of wood.
-If you are making a cut in a board, and you want to save both pieces of wood, cut exactly on your line, and do not back up if you stray from your line.
Band Saw Safety Video
Watch the video on the right to learn more about band saw safety and tips from the Woodworkers Guild of America.
Band Saw Safety Test
Once you have completed reviewing all of the information, have received a demonstration from the instructor, and have tried the machine at least once, take the safety test below. You must receive a perfect score (100%) on all safety tests.