Thread: why do I need a bandsaw?

Hi and welcome.

To make a valued comment more needs to be known about your intended use of the machines.

What do you want to make?

Are you going to use dressed timber or rough sawn and dress it yourself.

Do you need to rip or cut down large sheets of mdf/ply etc.

Most people seem to go with a tablesaw first so they can rip sheets and stock easily and a bandsaw comes along later.

The best advice I have had re bandsaws is buy a good big one.

If you are just starting out then have you looked at the triton range particularly second hand;

see here: http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=45224

It holds its value well, does most stuff okay and if you want to get serious sell it and move on up.

cheers

dazzler

What do I want to make? hmmm...where do I start?

I've previously made basic bookcases, entertainment units, coffee tables, and other bits of furniture using some basic power and hand tools, mostly working with MDF/chipboard/ply.

I'm currently making a cot, and have plans to make a proper workbench, a good-sized bookcase, kitchen table (and accompanying chairs), rocking chair, and so on. The cot is my first big project using "proper" timber, but there are many more to follow as I build up my workshop and find the required time.

So I guess my tool needs will be driven largely by the requirements of these projects. A bandsaw will certainly be useful for the rockers of the rocking chair, but then so would a flush-trim bit on my router - and that overlap in functionality is a large part of my confusion, and my inability to justify a bandsaw in its own right at present.

As far as ripping goes, I have just purchased a table saw, which I imagine would pretty much meet that need on its own, would it not?

I think the big thing for me is I'd love to have a bandsaw just to have a bandsaw, but can't really justify the outlay unless it will deliver a clear benefit in areas poorly met by other tools. I'm interested in making pretty much anything at all that would be of use around the house, whether furnuture or otherwise, as I much prefer the challenge and satisfaction of making it myself to just going out and buying it.

As far as ripping goes, I have just purchased a table saw, which I imagine would pretty much meet that need on its own, would it not?

Unless you want to rip an 8x2 into two 8x1s
I also feel a lot safer ripping small / thin pieces on a bandsaw. And cutting your curved parts slightly oversize then cleaning up a couple of mm with the router and template is a lot faster than hogging away big amounts of wood with a router.

Anyway, you can probably survive without one, there is usually a couple of different methods or tools to do any job, but they are a very handy machine.

Cheers

Ian

A bandsaw can be a fool of a thing for ripping, its often hard to cut a straight line

a sawbench is much faster and doesn't go through blades anywhere near as fast as a bandsaw.

If you don't see much use for one forget it.

Originally Posted by echnidna

A bandsaw can be a fool of a thing for ripping, its often hard to cut a straight line

a sawbench is much faster and doesn't go through blades anywhere near as fast as a sawbench.

If you don't see much use for one forget it.

Like echnidna said, if you cant see the use for one at this time then look at getting some other bits instead.

A bandsaw is to a hand-held jigsaw what a table saw is to a hand-held circ.

I bought my BS simply 'cos it came along at the right price, not because I had a need. In all honesty, I had a hard time justifying the buy as I really thought it'd see little real use.

Bzzzt! Wrong!

All the little quicky jobs I used to do on the TS are now being done on the BS instead, especially the ones where a perfectly straight edge isn't important. eg. if 'twas going to be jointed/thicknessed anyway. It's just soooo damned convenient! When it comes to curved cuts, well... it's perfect! My jigsaw sees very little use in the shed nowadays; it's only used for on-site jobs and then only 'cos I can't take the BS with me.

Recently I've started cutting my own veneers... only smallish (7"ish and less) but that's something that no other tool I have would even look at.

I got my bandsaw mainly to handle curved pieces, which it does very well. Like Skew, I find myself using it for all kinds of other jobs that are too small or fiddly for the table saw. For example, I can cut a square into two triangles using a 45 degree push stick. No way would I do that on the table saw. Making featherboards, resawing, etc etc.

Is that enough to justify it? If not, I'll ramble on some more.

Regards,

Tex

And then there's bandsawn boxes - if not done on the bandsaw, they are not bandsawn boxes

If you are a woodturner, there is nothing better for preparing turning blanks.

My 14" bandsaw only has a cutting depth of 6" - try that on the average tablesaw, and with a riser kit it can handle 12" cuts.

Try getting hold of Mark Duginske's 'Mastering The Bandsaw' a DVD usually available for loan from your local library.

Originally Posted by Tex B

Is that enough to justify it? If not, I'll ramble on some more.

Regards,

Tex

By all means, ramble on!

I could always use more ideas.

Gidday blue penguin

Honestly the BAndsaw is quite simply the most versatile machine in the Shop. Those who struggle with it havent spent time on a quality unit OR more importantly don't know how to tune it.

Mark Duginske (BAndsaw expert) reckons if there was one machine old time woodworkers would choose for their shop it would be the Bandsaw because of its versatility.

My recommendation is get a quality unit n learn how to use it ................. You wont regret it.

REgards Lou

Originally Posted by NewLou

My recommendation is get a quality unit n learn how to use it ................. You wont regret it.

REgards Lou

Okay, so how much do I need to be saving up for it to be worthwhile? And what brands have the best reputation for a beginner who would like to develop into something mid-range serious?

I am not interested in buying a toy that will only have to be replaced in the near future anyway, but I don't really have the budget to go all-out even so. If I get one, it needs to be one really worth having!

Remember Google is your friend

1. Blue P, spend a couple of hours reading the threads in the "Bandsaws" forum.

2. Get Mark Duginske's "Bandsaw Handbook".

3.
You can ask questions all day & night, but the only true way to make an informed choice is to educate yourself on the subject.

Originally Posted by echnidna

a sawbench is much faster and doesn't go through blades anywhere near as fast as a sawbench.

If the Penguin was not confused before, he will be now for sure....