Wandering Band Saw

Nearly all bandsaws “drift.” Its a function of the blade. you need to set your fence (if your using one) to match that drift. Get a piece of scrap with true edges. Draw a line down the middle of the length that is parallel to the left side. Freehand cut straight along the line about 1/2 though the board. Hold at that angle (clamp to table without moving) now set your fence (if adjustable) to align with that angle. This sets the fence to the drift of the blade so you can make a stright cut. You have to do this every time you change blades.

-- David, www.briskibusiness.com

I do something similar. This technique comes by way of David Marks on Wood Works. Freehand the cut for a inches then set a bevel gauge to the angle. Go a few more inches and check it again. Do this a few times to make sure you have the angle right. Then use the bevel gauge to set your fence. Just one more way of doing the same thing.

-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/

Hello Bryon;
—-well let me introduce you to an-other here….Don who has written an extremely well done article on Bandsaw Drift and Tuning ....

Also thought that I would add if I may, no tool is cheap and we all start somewhere. I at one time did joinery with an old miter saw I found in an abandoned cabin, have made furniture at the kitchen table, learned to do mortise’s with a screwdriver and old broken files that I ground to different shapes, have had shops and tools and lost shops and tools, but I all-ways had a pocketknife to cut, carve and gouge some wood….which in the end has all-ways kept the woodworking spirit going in me. If I lost all my tools tonight, I would still arise in the morning giving thanks for one tool that no-one can take away….and this one tool is free to any, but will cost you every-thing….my imagination!

Thank you and….
GODSPEED,
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

That Ryobi bandsaw is adequate to use on most smaller projects, for sure. Drift is an integral part of using any bandsaw. I would reccomend the book by Cutting Edge publishers on the Bandsw, but almost any book will help you learn about cutting along with some jigs and tips, too.

Amazon used to sell it, but I cannot find it there, now. Check at Rockler or Woodcraft. They usually have a good selection.

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Thanks Guys!! I’ll give your tips a try and let you know if you can pick up a band saw in my trash or not.

-- Bryan