Woodworker's Journal Summer-2008, страница 29

have a method to efficiently use salvaged or reclaimed lumber of large dimension. Fourth, you will be able to create your own lumber from a tree — or even from firewood! And fifth, when you get good at it, you can begin to make your own handmade plywood (see tint box, next page).

Equipment Makes a Difference

To get started with resawing, you'll need a band saw of sufficient power and with a large depth of cut. Any saw with a motor smaller than 1 HP and depth of cut less than 10" will limit your effectiveness. (A typical 14" band saw has about a 6" maximum cut, so you'd be limited to a 12" wide book-matched panel or less.)

We also recommend using a point fence of some sort (see photos at right). By having a single point to register the cut (placed adjacent to the cutting edge of the saw blade), you will be able to swing your stock left or right to correct for blade drift. You might be able to get away with using a standard fence once in a while, but if you're trying to slice off a 1/4" piece of expensive hardwood, and your blade drifts toward the fence, you are powerless to correct it.

Speaking of saw blades, the rule of thumb for resawing is "the wider the better." Wider blades, 3/4" and larger, cut straighter, which is the goal. Also, fewer and larger teeth per inch make for better resawing.

The question readers ask is, "Can you resaw using a narrow band saw blade?" The answer is, sometimes, yes. If your band saw is well tuned and the wood is acceptably dry and without internal stresses, a narrow blade can work. More often than not, however, an ordinary 1/4" or 3/8" blade will only lead to more wandering in the cut. It's not designed for a heavy-duty task such as resawing.

When it comes to resawing blades, think wide and dentally challenged. Fewer teeth per inch allow the blade to remove sawdust more effectively. And if you are slicing through a 10" or 12" board, you can imagine how much waste that makes. Wider blades track better and cut straighter; exactly what you want when resawing. If your machine will accept a 3/4"- or even 1"-wide blade, you'll have the ideal width for resawing. These wide blades can be costly, but for routine resawing they're really the way to go. Even if you don't opt for an expensive "specialty" resaw blade, stick with at least a 1/2" open-toothed blade to enhance your resawing activity.

A point fence, like the adjustable shop-made version above, is the key to being able to adjust for blade drift as you resaw. This example fits into the saw table miter slot.

Resawing by the Numbers

Here's a step-by-step primer on resawing:

1. Square up and surface two faces of your lumber. While it's possible to resaw rough-cut lumber, your work will be more accurate and easier to control if you first prepare the stock.

2. Use a point fence. You can easily make or buy one. Many of the larger band saws come standard with a viable point fence.

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summer 2008 29