Bandsaw >> Vertical - Horizontal - Portable

Top 10 Hand Tools Every Woodworker Needs

wandi — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:22:58 +0000

Top 10 Hand Tools Every Woodworker Needs

If you’re not sure what hand tools you’ll need to get started in woodworking, this page should help. Below are the Top 10 hand tools you’ll need for nearly any woodworking project.

1. Claw Hammer (Finish Head)

Everyone has used a hammer at some point in their lives. While there are many types, the most versatile is the claw hammer with a smooth, slightly rounded finish head. Choose one that is not too heavy, but feels good in your hand. I prefer a 20 oz. model.

2. 6″ Layout Square

A Layout Square is an invaluable woodworking tool. Not only is it probably the quickest and easiest tool for marking a square line for an end cut, but can be used to quickly mark any angle up to 45-degrees or measure up to six inches. I keep one in my back pocket or nail pouch whenever I’m in the shop.

3. 25′ Retractable Tape Measure

A Retractable Tape Measure is another tool that is an absolute must for any woodworker. A quality tape measure should have both Standard and Metric markings, a locking mechanism and a slightly loose hook on the end of the tape. The hook is loose on it’s rivets by design so the user will get accurate results whether the tape is used to take internal or external measurements.

4. Utility Knife

A Utility Knife with a locking mechanism that uses disposable razor blades is another requirement for the woodworker. This versatile cutting device can be used for scribing a mark in a piece of stock, cleaning up a hinge mortise or any of a hundred other times when a knife is needed.

5. Chisels

The Chisel is another essential woodworking tool. A finely-sharpened chisel is perfect for cleaning out waste from joints and mortises. I like to keep one each of 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″ width bevel-edged chisels within easy reach.

6. Level

When you need to know if a piece of stock is perfectly horizontal (level) or vertical (plumb), you need a level. I like to keep two levels available: one relatively long level (I use a 28″ or 36″) and a short, 6″ Torpedo Level.

7. Screwdrivers

Like the claw hammer, everybody has used a screwdriver at least once or twice in their lives. I keep a few versions in my shop: #1, 2 and 3 sizes of both Phillips and Flathead varieties, as well as a couple of square head, Torx and star drivers.

8. Sliding Bevel

A Sliding Bevel is very similar to a square, except that it can be adjusted to any angle and locked in place using a locking mechanism. This is very handy when an angle needs to be duplicated.

9. Nail Sets

A nail set looks somewhat like a small, round chisel, but is used to sink nail heads flush or just beneath the wood’s surface. I keep three different sizes in my pouch.

10. Block Plane

The last absolute necessity every woodworker should have is a small block plane. This device is used for shaving thin amounts of wood away from the stock, and is invaluable for cleaning up edges during assembly.

Source : http://woodworking.about.com/od/gettingstarted/tp/TopTenHandTools.htm

Bandsaw Main Features

wandi — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:09:18 +0000

Bandsaw Main Features:

The two main things to consider when choosing a band saw are the depth of cut and the throat. The saw’s depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides. Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw. However, some saws that have only a six-inch depth of cut can have an optional riser added to the unit which extends the depth from six inches to twelve. This allows some less expensive saws to be able to cut thicker stock, particularly when resawing.

The throat is the distance from the blade to the vertical frame section of the body of the saw. This distance determines the width of cut that can be completed on the band saw. The throat on a free-standing cabinet band saw typically exceeds the 12 to 14-inch throat of smaller, bench-top models. When you see the term “18-inch Band Saw” advertised, realize that it is the throat measurement to which the manufacturer is referring.

Size of Bandsaw Motors :

Another consideration is the size of the band saw’s motor . Most home-level models incorporate a 3/4 to 1 horsepower motor, whereas professional models will have larger motors with variable speeds. For woodworkers, the variable speed won’t really matter, as slower than max speeds should be incorporated when cutting metals and some hard plastics.

Source : http://woodworking.about.com/od/woodworkingmachines/p/bandsaws.htm

Bandsaw Set Up

wandi — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:59 +0000

Bandsaw Set Up

When setting up band saw, read the instructions that accompany the unit very carefully. There are numerous fine adjustments which are necessary for the band saw to cut properly. Failure to follow these instructions, which include setting the blade tension and adjusting the blade guides, thrust bearing and side bearings, will decrease the performance of the saw and make blades much more likely to break.

Not only will the owner’s manual help you set up your saw properly, it will help you become much more familiar with the proper methods for safely cutting with your saw. A band saw is among the safest of power woodworking tools, but the saw is must be set up properly before use. A band saw is a fun tool to work with, but only if used correctly.

Source : http://woodworking.about.com/od/woodworkingmachines/p/bandsaws.htm

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Chainsaw

wandi — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:08:30 +0000

Tips to Extend the Life of Your Chainsaw

A great tool for just about any outdoor job is the chainsaw. Whether you are using an electric chainsaw for minor pruning or storm debris removal, or a commercial grade saw for felling large trees, a few simple items can help you extend the life of your saw and make for safer and better operation.

One of the most important parts of your chainsaw is the chain itself. With a good quality and sharp chain, you can cut through wood easily and safely. When your chain becomes dull, it takes more time and effort to get a quality cut. This can also lead to putting more pressure on the saw itself, which can lead to kickbacks and pinching of the blade. This can lead to personal injury.

Another essential aspect of your saw is the brake bar. This is a built in safety feature that will stop the blade if your hand slips off the handle or the saw kicks back. This will help to prevent cuts or other disastrous injuries to yourself if the saw comes back on you or your hand slips forward toward the blade.

Keeping your saw tuned up is also just as important as a good sharp blade. Maintaining a chainsaw is easy and most people can do basic maintenance on their own saw. By changing the oil, cleaning the bar and chain after every use and keeping the air filter clean, you can extend the life of your saw by years. This is by no means an exhaustive list of maintenance that you might need to perform, but these simple steps can help.

When using a chainsaw, one of the most important aspects that you need to consider is personal safety. Be sure to use eye and hearing protection, heavy clothes to protect you from chips and other debris and be familiar with your saws particular operations and safety features.

Knowing about your chainsaw will help to keep you safe during operation. Having good chainsaw tools to keep your chain sharp, blade tight and saw lasting for years. Another item that is often needed is a replacement chainsaw case when the original case has seen better days and doesn’t work well anymore.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Aurthurson

Tips For Safe Sawing

wandi — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 10:57:29 +0000

Tips For Safe Sawing

While both horizontal and vertical band saws are generally regarded as some of the safest machine tools in the workshop, without abiding by a few sensible but basic rules they can still be very dangerous woodworking tools to work with.

The first thing is to make sure you are always wearing a pair of safety glasses or goggles. The blade on a vertical band saw rotates at very high speeds and even the smallest piece of waste or debris will be traveling at high velocity and they are thrown out in all directions. Even if you are just doing a 10 second job, remember damage to your eyesight could be with you for life.

Worse still, the carbon steel blade can break and then you will have shards of metal flying around. It really is not worth risking your eyesight, so just get into the habit of using eye protection. And no, your prescription spectacles do not provide any protection at all.

Wear appropriate clothing while using your vertical band saw. This rule applies when you are using any machine tool, whether it is for woodworking, metalworking or hedge trimming. Avoid wearing anything that can get caught up in the band saw blade or tangled in your work. Wearing a long sleeved shirt is a definite no, as would be a scarf or necktie, or hanging jewelery, it is common sense really.

Make sure you check your vertical band saw before using it. A band saw has many wheels, blocks and guides that you need to ensure are positioned correctly for the job that you are undertaking. They need to be checked regularly for signs of wear and tear and replaced if necessary. If you are unsure then check the manufacturers recommendations. You can always give them a call for further advice, or try visiting their website if you have lost the instructions that came with your purchase.

Be safe not sorry when using your vertical band saw.

Easy Bandsawing Tips

wandi — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:47:31 +0000

Balancing Bandsaw Wheels

The lead wheel weights used for balancing car tires will also work on an out-of-balance bandsaw wheel. They’ll do less damage to the wheel than drilling a bunch of balancing holes in it. Plus, you can re-position them as needed. And, since they’re made of soft lead, their weight can be easily adjusted by shaving a little off with a utility knife. Always start with the lightest, smallest weights you can find for this job.

Holding the pieces of a compound cut together during cutting

Compound bandsaw cuts (such as those used for cabriole legs) often require that you replace the piece of scrap you just cut away from your workpiece before you can make your next cut (usually made on a different plane). The easiest way to do this is by using double-stick carpet tape or ordinary masking tape.

Emergency bandsaw tire

It always happens at the most inopportune times. You’re working away when all of a sudden, the rubber tire on your bandsaw heads South. It’s Saturday evening. You’re trying to finish a project. No spare bandsaw tires within a million miles. Well … fear not. Often, car or truck innertubes can be trimmed for use as bandsaw tires. Bond them carefully to your bandsaw’s wheel with rubber cement. This fix should get you through your project … but it’s not permanent! Be sure to replace your temporary tire with a proper tire ASAP.

Wood Sizes Information

wandi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:52:09 +0000

Wood Sizes Information

When visiting your local home center or woodworking supplier, you’ll notice that stock comes in varying sizes. Additionally, softwood sizes differ from hardwood sizes. While the numbers may seem logical, they can be a bit deceiving, as you’ll soon discover.

Why one-inch isn’t really one-inch:

Everybody has heard of a 2×4 (pronounced “two by four”), but few people realize that the actual height and width of a 2×4 is really somewhere close to 1 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ depending on dryness of the material and milling methods. Similarly, a 1x (pronounced “one-by”) is only about 3/4″ in thickness. Wood shrinks when it is dried, so lumber mills adjust their tools accordingly. Length of a piece of stock is not affected, so an 8′ 2×4 is usually very close or even slightly longer than 96-inches.

Softwood sizing:

Most softwoods, used in home construction and for general purpose woodworking, come in 1x and 2x sizes. In the top half of the chart shown, the Name columns display the “advertised sizes” and can be compared to the typical actual sizes in the corresponding column to the right. For instance, a 2×6 typically measures out at 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ in actual size.

Hardwood sizing:

Hardwood sizing can be a bit more confusing, because it often depends on whether the stock is surfaced on one side (S1S) or on two sides (S2S). Notice in the Hardwood Sizing section of the chart that a one-inch piece of stock will typically measure 7/8″ if it is surfaced on one side, but 13/16″ if surfaced on two (opposite) sides.Hardwoods rarely come in standard dimensions like softwoods. Instead of finding a 2×6 in hardwood vareties, you’ll find that suppliers sell hardwoods in random varieties measured by the board-foot.

Additionally, hardwood may be sold in quarters. Each quarter refers to a 1/4-inch in thickness, meaning, a 5/4 board is roughly 1-1/4″. If your project calls for a piece that is exactly one-inch thick, you’ll want to purchase a 5/4 board and mill it down to the proper size using a surface planer.

Plywood:

Plywood us available in 4′x8′ sheets, but once again, thickness sizes can be deceiving. The most common sizes of plywood are 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch, but in actuality, this corresponds to 15/32-inch and 23/32-inch in thickness respectively.

Plywood is graded in A, B, C and D grades, depending on the sanded finish of the two sides of the sheet, A being the smoothest. A sheet is graded on both sides: for instance, a sheet of BC plywood is grade B on one side and C on the other.

Get another information about : Band Saw Additional Feature

Type Of Bandsaw

wandi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:13:30 +0000

Type Of Bandsaw

When looking to cut precise curves in wood, in most cases there is no better tool to choose than the band saw. That being said, a quality band saw will do a lot more than just cut curves. They are great for cutting tenons and some smaller rabbets, for ripping small pieces of stock and for resawing thin strips from larger pieces of wood.
With all the different band saw types, sizes and options available, how do you know which band saw is right for you?

Types of Band Saws:

There are two main types of band saws, floor-standing cabinet models, and units that are shorter, for mounting either on a dedicated stand or on a bench top. Cabinet models are typically built for professional use, whereas the smaller units are better suited for the home-based woodworker. The cabinet models have have more features and larger motors, and usually feature a stronger frame which leads to more consistent cutting. That isn’t to say, however, that one cannot get professional results from a bench-mounted band saw.

Band Saw Main Features :

The two main things to consider when choosing a band saw are the depth of cut and the throat. The saw’s depth of cut is the distance from the table to the upper blade guides. Many band saws are marketed on this feature alone, which tells the prospective buyer how thick of stock can be cut using the band saw. However, some saws that have only a six-inch depth of cut can have an optional riser added to the unit which extends the depth from six inches to twelve. This allows some less expensive saws to be able to cut thicker stock, particularly when resawing.

The throat is the distance from the blade to the vertical frame section of the body of the saw. This distance determines the width of cut that can be completed on the band saw. The throat on a free-standing cabinet band saw typically exceeds the 12 to 14-inch throat of smaller, bench-top models. When you see the term “18-inch Band Saw” advertised, realize that it is the throat measurement to which the manufacturer is referring.

Bandsaw Motors Size :

Another consideration is the size of the band saw’s motor. Most home-level models incorporate a 3/4 to 1 horsepower motor, whereas professional models will have larger motors with variable speeds. For woodworkers, the variable speed won’t really matter, as slower than max speeds should be incorporated when cutting metals and some hard plastics.

Also Search For The Most Popular Band Saw Blade

The Most Popular Bandsaw Blade

wandi — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 12:00:20 +0000

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Bandsaw Blade Tips

Looking for RECONDITIONED TOOLS? It’s all here!

wandi — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:07:01 +0000

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