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Resawing on Wen 10" question

10K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  JRsgarage 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
On a whim I bought a Wen 10" Bandsaw from Home Depot a few months back. I have not upgraded the blade or spent a ton of time setting it up. I did put it on its max speed and tensioned the blade properly. I tried to resaw a few 1/8 Walnut "test cuts" from a 3/4 board to see how they came out. The results were lackluster, to say the least. They came out all wavy.

My question is, now that I really need to resaw some lumber to make veneer am I chasing windmills and throwing money away by getting a better fence and blade for this thing? Am I better off putting it on Craigs List and buying something like a Rikon 10-326 or can I save the Wen I currently own?

I know there will be a huge difference between a $250 bandsaw and a $1,000 bandsaw but if I can avoid buying a new saw and use what I have, that would be the preference. If its a waste of time using what I have, then it is what it is and I will get the better saw.

Link to the saw that I bought.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-3-5-Amp-10-in-2-Speed-Band-Saw-with-Stand-and-Worklight-3962/206587103
 
#2 ·
First, start with a good blade. A 1/2" wood slicer would be a great place to start. Watch the Alex Snodgrass bandsaw setup video and you should see markedly better results. Do you have any pictures of the wavy cuts you gotten so far?
 
#3 ·
I will 2nd the correct blade for what you are trying to do. I just setup a little 10 delta bench unit for ripping and I had the same results with the blade I had on it. I put a 3/8 4tpi blade on it and it cut some very straight lines that would only take minor touch up on the jointer or table saw to be usable.
 
#6 ·
I have a craftsman 10" and can resaw pretty well with a 3/8" blade. I use a 1/2 blade for harder woods but that's pushing the limits. A quality 3/8" 4tpi blade works pretty well for me. I still have to hit it with a hand plane but it doesn't take much. I too like the Powertec blades. Better than Starrett or Olsen IMHO in the price range.
 
#7 ·
IMO some tools are better to own than not own, what I mean is that a cheap bandsaw is better than no bandsaw. But I tried and tried tuning and tweaking the little 9" bandsaw I used to own and resawing just wasn't in the cards. You can do little stuff but don't set your expectations too high. I wouldn't worry about a better fence because you'll never get the drift out of a little saw, instead look at making a resaw fence. You have to steer the wood but it helps keep a consistent thickness.





 
#8 ·
I have a craftsman 10" and can resaw pretty well with a 3/8" blade. I use a 1/2 blade for harder woods but that s pushing the limits. A quality 3/8" 4tpi blade works pretty well for me. I still have to hit it with a hand plane but it doesn t take much. I too like the Powertec blades. Better than Starrett or Olsen IMHO in the price range.

- HokieKen
i have a small 12" bs and have similar results with 3/8". having only 1/2 hp on mine, the 1/2" blades struggles. i have to push it thru Christmas slow but it'll work in a pinch situation
 
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