Thread: A meat band saw for timber cutting .?

For re-sawing and normal wood working , I would not recommend a meat saw. The obvious reasons are that there is no fence, dust extractor fitting, the sliding table, could be dangerous.

I would recommend that you look for a dedicated wood working machine.

Jeff
vk4

I used one for several years, the problem I had was the guides were hopeless.
It was OK for breaking stuff down roughly for woodturning but the cut wandered around like a lost Emu.

Hi,
Gasweld usually sell wood band saws but I don't see any in that catalog. If I was buying new I would get the right thing, I would only consider a meat saw if I got it for about nothing.
Regards

Please take note of what VK4 said.

However, many woodworking bandsaws do not have fences. i have a wonderful Woodfast 14" saw that is quite old but very useful that does not have a fence. When i need a fence I use a piece of hardwood and some clamps.

Dust extraction is important and you may want to look at your potential purchase and see what you can do. Many, many woodworking bandsaws that are on the market today have very poor to none at all dust extraction facilities. Bandsaws from, say 20 years ago, rarely had any.

If it has a sliding table that maybe unsafe, make it safe.

I have a good friend that has been using a butchers bandsaw in his workshop for well over 20 years with no problems.

In other words , have a good look at it , recognise the risks and make a decision.

Mind you $400 is possibly too much.

A meat bandsaw for woodwork is not worth the bother they are not accurate as the don't need to be keep your $400 and wait until a good used saw comes your way

Isn't it possible to convert your meat band saw to wood cutting bandsaw?

The cost and effort to convert the Meat saw to be useful on timber would be in excess of the cost of a wood band saw ,
it would cost another 2-300 dollars to convert the Meat saw to do what the member wants the saw to do, not including the time required.

Jeff
vk4

You got a point on that Jeff. It would really cost time,effort and money. Better to get wood
band saw.


Regards
Jack

Thank you members for your input.I can now see why a meat band saw may be a PITA .Ive done a little bit more study,and noticed HARE&FORBES have a model that's 1 horsepower,2speed,12 inch wheel,with a connection for a dusty,as well as fences supplied, for about $430.this been my first BANDSAW it may be ok to start out with, Again thank you all for your time.

Just to be a pain.... beware the small wheel bandsaws.
The one I had before I got the meat saw was a 3 wheel saw with small wheels & the extra flexing caused the blade to break often.

Originally Posted by John Williams

Thank you members for your input.I can now see why a meat band saw may be a PITA .Ive done a little bit more study,and noticed HARE&FORBES have a model that's 1 horsepower,2speed,12 inch wheel,with a connection for a dusty,as well as fences supplied, for about $430.this been my first BANDSAW it may be ok to start out with, Again thank you all for your time.

I've been looking around at BS and went into H&F to look at them and saw the 12" model. It's a very basic bandsaw (mainly pressed metal) but it would be better than trying to modify the meat cutting saw that you describe. Another alternative is, for $400 you might be able to pick up a more sturdy used 14" BS with better guides than the 12 H&F model.

BTW dust collection on all BS is near useless. The best place to pick up dust on a BS is just under the table. On some BS a 4" hose can be jammed in under the table on others a simple bracket to hold a hose might be needed.