basic band saw operation
A band saw is basically a "curve cutting" machine It
is also used for straight-line cutting operations such
as cross cutting, ripping, mitering, beveling, com-
pound cutting, and resawmg It is not capable of
doing inside cutting,
This band saw is designed to cut wood and wood
like products only,
For general type scroll cutting, follow the pattern lines
by pushing and turning the workpiece at the same
time Don't try to turn the workpiece while engaged in
the blade without pushing it; the workpiece could bind
or twist the blade
A curve cut is best performed by keeping the pattern
line in line with the blade while turning the workpiece
before the radius of the curve is cut,. The blade
should cut in the middle of the pattern line (saw kerf)
since wood cutting band saw blades are thin
NOTE: Blade guard israised and right hand removed
for clarity of picture only
Saw
Kerr
Workplece
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Pattern Line Blade
RIGHT -Planning ahead by turning workpiece for
cutting a curve
NOTE: Blade guard is raised and right hand removed
for clarity ofpicture only
Workptece
Pattern Line Blade
WRONG -Not planning ahead for cutting a curve
could bind or twist blade if workpiece is forced
NOTE: Blade guard is raised and right hand removed
for clarity ofpicture only
WARNING: To avoid blade contact, adjUst the
upper guide assembly to just clear the
workpiece,
lr,Use both hands while feeding the work into the
blade, Hold the workpiece firmly against the table,
Use gentle pressure Do not force the work, but
allow the blade to cuL
2 The smallest diameter' circle that can be cut out is
,determined by the width of the blade,, A 1/4" wide
blade will cut a minimum diameter' of approximate-
ly 1-1/2" A 1/8" wide blade will cut a minimum
diameter of approximately 1/2",
Relief cuts are made when an intricate curve (too
small a radius for the blade) is to be cut buL A relief
cut is made by cutting through the scrap section of
workpiece to curve in pattern line, then carefully
backing blade out Several relief cuts should be made
for intricate curves, then follow pattern line as sec-
tions are cut off ofcurve "relieving" blade pressure,
Workplece
\
Blade

/

PatternLine
ReliefCuts
NOTE: Blade guard is raisedand right hand removed
for clarity of picture only,
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