Popular Woodworking 2003-06 № 134, страница 83

still capacity and power. "If you upgrade everything on a 14" (cast-iron) saw, including the motor, guides and add a riser block, it's still not the same as a steel frame saw," Barragan says.

"It's stretching the machine beyond its design capabilities. Steel-frame saws offer much better rigidity, and body rigidity also produces less vibration. These saws also have increased throat capacity and improved features at a good price. The tables are larger and the trunnions are larger. Everything is designed for more robust work."

In fact, Barragan says a band saw can replace a table saw for many tasks and is safer because there is no danger of kickback.

Factors Beyond Resawing

Our experts also agree that wheel design plays an important role in determining how much tension can be loaded on a band saw, again a benefit for resawing. In general, cast-iron wheels are preferred. While this is standard on the majority of larger steel-frame saws, the wheels on the smaller saws that we're focusing on can be either aluminum or cast iron and of varying design.

Wilke prefers cast-iron wheels, but says that aluminum is OK up to 15" in diameter. Beyond that, he says, they're not really capable of sustaining the tension without warping. Wilke also says a spoke design is less safe (accidentally sticking fingers in while spinning at any speed is bad).

Barragan also prefers cast-iron wheels, saying that they have more inertia. A heavier wheel's inertia while spinning adds more force behind the cut. But recognizing that cast iron isn't always as economical, he says he'll look first for a well-balanced wheel. "I'd still prefer a well-balanced aluminum wheel over a poorly balanced cast-iron one."

Bird agrees, adding that a well-balanced aluminum wheel with a properly powered motor will also provide good results.

Table Height

When we started looking at steel-frame saws we hadn't realized that as the throat and height capacities increased, the table height on these saws got lower.

If you're using these saws for resawing, the lower table allows a more natural body position for feeding big boards through the

The top photo shows how tricky it can be to determine what type of column construction is used.While the top of the column looks like a single-tube tapered design, it is actually a dual-tube design.The column in the photo below is easier to read, showing a dual-tube column design with extra bends to increase strength against twisting. Also note the trip switch on top that keeps the machine from being turned on when the door is open.

blade. Conversely, if you intend to use a 17" steel-frame saw for a variety of applications in your shop, you may find the table is too low for comfortable use.

As Barragan mentioned earlier, the band saw can replace the table saw for ripping. Helshoj expands on that thought and connects the table height to it. He points out that the table heights on the larger steel-frame saws are at table-saw height. He would like to see Americans use band saws more routinely for ripping. Not only are they safer, he says, but they are more efficient at rip

ping material thicker than ³/4".

When asked if then the larger band saws then shouldn't be used for detailed curve-cutting operations because of the table height, Helshoj says, "No, they can tension and guide an ^s" blade as well as any saw. Just pull up a stool and have a seat."

Guides

No matter what size saw you prefer, the guides are important. One standard upgrade found when moving into steel-frame saws is nicer guides. All of our experts have different opinions about

The wheel at the far left is of the spoke design, while the wheel at the right is not. Though a subject of debate, the spoke design is likely less rigid and likely to hold-up less well under tension.The non-spoke design also offers more inertia while spinning, providing a slight turbo-charging effect to the cutting power of the motor. There is also some discussion about the safety issue of the two designs, with the spoked version more susceptible to fingers getting caught.

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