Band Saw Blade

it’s a fairly gentel curve, i’d go with the 1/2”

-- dannymac

I might use the 1/4” for a cleaner cut, but the 1/2” will certainly work well. What kind of wood are you cutting?

-- Steve-- http://www.urbanexteriors.biz

I would use a 1/2” primarily because with wood this thick, you are better served with the 7 tpi.

There is a rule of thumb I once heard that you should never have more than 6 teeth in the wood at any one time. That rule would imply that you should use the 3/4” and the 3/4” could probably handle these curves, but I use my 3/4” strictly for straight line cutting (resawing). I’ve also heard that once you use your 3/4 for curves it compromises its ability to do straight lines well.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I’m using Cherry. I could not find affordable cherry this thick so I’m using two panels face glued.

I had also read in a magazine somewhere that you can use a honing stone or something similar on the back edges of the blade to round over the edge. This allows the blade to roll smoother along the back end of the curve behind the cut leaving a smoother finish. I don’t think the curves in my pattern will run into that issue though.

Thanks all for your replies. I’ll try the 1/2” and move to the 1/4” if necessary.

-Rocko

-- -> Malta, IL -<

You probably know this but in case you do not – - Cherry is very vulnerable to burn marks. They are almost unavoidable. Plan on spending some time with the sander to remove these burn marks.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I did not know about the burn marks. This is my first with cherry. Thank you for the heads up. The plans called for Mahogany but I live about 20min from a sawmill and they have great prices on local kiln dried cherry. I think I paid $4.30/bft for 5/4. I’ll be cutting just outside the line and then cleaning up on a drum sander where necessary. I’ll be doing some shaping with a spoke shave as well so any marks will be long gone by the time I finish.

Thanks again,
-Rocko

-- -> Malta, IL -<

I didn’t know about the burn marks either—good to know!

-- I hate finishing. I never manage to quit while I'm ahead. --Chris