Bandsawing Secret Technique!

Summary

In this video, the instructor from Epic Woodworking reveals a secret technique for achieving smooth, precise cuts with a bandsaw. He dispels the myth that you need extraordinary skills to make clean cuts and instead introduces a practical approach that anyone can master. Key to this method is understanding the geometry of the bandsaw blade and utilizing the kerf—the gap created by the cut. By focusing on the back of the blade rather than just the teeth, woodworkers can maintain control and accuracy. The video provides a comprehensive demonstration emphasizing practice and proper setup.

Highlights

• Discover the secret technique for smooth bandsaw cuts! ✂️
• Understand the importance of the blade’s kerf in cutting. 🔍
• See a detailed demonstration with a 10x magnified model! 🔭
• Learn how to 'steer' effectively using the back of the blade. 🚗
• Practical tips on setting up your bandsaw for best results. 🛠️

Key Takeaways

• Unlock the secret to cutting smoothly with any bandsaw! 🪚
• Focus on the kerf, not just the blade’s teeth, for precision. 🎯
• Use the back of the blade as a guide. It’s your secret fence! 🚧
• Proper setup and tensioning of your bandsaw are crucial. 🔧
• Practice makes perfect. Use cheap wood to hone your skills! 🌟

Overview

Ever wondered how to make those perfect, smooth cuts with a bandsaw? The master woodworker at Epic Woodworking is here to reveal the secret technique that doesn't require superhero skills. Instead, it's all about understanding the bandsaw's geometry, particularly the kerf, or the space created by the saw's cut. By slightly twisting the workpiece to lean against one side of the kerf, you achieve cleaner, straighter cuts. This technique can be mastered by anyone willing to practice and pay attention to detail.

The demonstration includes a fascinating look at a model scaled up ten times to see exactly how the blade interacts with the wood. The key is not just focusing on the front teeth but using the back of the blade as a guiding fence. This provides the stability needed for straight and smooth cuts. Typical misconceptions are debunked, showing that steering with just the teeth leads to drift and inaccuracies.

Moreover, the video emphasizes the importance of setting up and tuning your bandsaw correctly. The presenter guides you through ensuring your blade has the right tension and setup to prevent wobbling and inconsistency. This, combined with the secret steering method, equips any woodworker with the skills for pristine bandsaw results. Practice makes perfect, so grab some cheap wood and start practicing these essential techniques!

Chapters

• 00:00 - 01:00: Introduction and Concept Overview In the chapter titled 'Introduction and Concept Overview', the narrator begins by addressing common questions they receive regarding their precise cutting technique. They acknowledge the curiosity and admiration of others when they see the narrator's ability to cut straight, particularly highlighted when people notice the seamlessness in demonstrations, perhaps on media where 'camel ladies' are zoomed in to show the process. The narrator hints at the impressive skills that leave viewers wondering how such precision is achievable.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Understanding Bandsaw Blades The chapter 'Understanding Bandsaw Blades' explores techniques that can enhance smoothness in cutting with a bandsaw. It emphasizes that while practice and experience contribute to skill, there is a specific approach that anyone can adopt to improve their cutting ability. The chapter promises to reveal insights into what influences smoother cuts and how this knowledge can help in achieving precise cuts along a marked line.
• 02:00 - 03:00: Blade Dimensions and Specifications The chapter delves into the intricacies of bandsaw blade geometry, focusing on a half-inch blade with four teeth per inch. It aims to provide a clearer understanding of how blade dimensions can impact performance, emphasized by the term 'overcut.' The chapter promises to offer insights to better comprehend and utilize bandsaw blades effectively.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Geometry of the Blade Explained The chapter explains the geometry of a medium-sized standard wood cutting blade suitable for woodworking projects. It compares this type of blade to thicker blades used in large bandsaw mills. The specific blade discussed is the Timberwolf blade, available from suffolkmachinery.com, although there is no sponsorship affiliation with the site mentioned.
• 04:00 - 05:00: Magnified Blade Demonstration This chapter discusses the details of a particular blade, focusing on its composition and dimensions. The speaker notes that the blade is made of spring steel with a thickness of 25 thousandths of an inch. The chapter also highlights the blade's cutting curve, which measures 42 thousandths of an inch. This information suggests careful consideration of the blade's design for durability and performance.
• 05:00 - 06:00: Understanding the Cutting Process The chapter titled 'Understanding the Cutting Process' addresses the mechanics of cutting, specifically focusing on the bandsaw cutting technique. It discusses the concept of kerf, which is the gap made during a cut, and how it is influenced by the flaring of the saw's teeth. The transcript highlights that the kerf width is greater than the back of the blade, allowing the saw to move through the material more effectively. This understanding is important for achieving precision and efficiency in the cutting process. The numerical reference suggests a comparison or calculation relevant to the cutting process, possibly concerning measurements or adjustments needed for the equipment being described.
• 06:00 - 07:00: Secret Technique Explanation In this chapter, the speaker discusses a secret technique involving the use of a blade with teeth that have opposite flares on each side. They explain the positioning and feel of the teeth, emphasizing the importance of aligning them correctly. The speaker acknowledges that their demonstration might not be perfect due to angle issues but attempts to communicate the technique effectively. They suggest the use of a visual aid to better demonstrate and communicate the intricacies of this technique.
• 07:00 - 08:00: Applying the Technique on Straight Lines In this chapter titled "Applying the Technique on Straight Lines", the discussion focuses on the precise adjustments needed when working with measurements in a technical context. The narrative explains how to manipulate numerical values to achieve desired physical parameters, specifically how to adjust both size and curvature measurements precisely. For instance, a blade’s size is calculated in fractions of inches (e.g., converting 25 thousandths to 25 hundredths, equating to a quarter inch). Similarly, curvature is adjusted from 42 thousandths to 42 hundredths, roughly equating this to just below 7/16 of an inch. This instructional method ensures precise application of measurements in tools and could be used in practical applications requiring strict adherence to measurement conversions.
• 08:00 - 09:00: Cutting Curves Using the Secret Technique The chapter explores a technique for cutting curves with precision, demonstrating a real-scale curve and its magnified version. Details include specific measurements such as a sixty-fourth of an inch under a certain point, and a comparison with a 7/16 measurement. The focus is on the precision differences when zooming in, with notable specifics such as the curve being almost 3/16 wider than the blade used in cutting.
• 09:00 - 11:00: Saw Demonstration with Music The chapter titled 'Saw Demonstration with Music' involves a demonstration of a half-inch blade. The speaker highlights the craftsmanship involved, emphasizing the blade's precise measurements and quality, expressing satisfaction and pride in the creation. The blade's width is described in detail, being half an inch wide, and when multiplied by ten, it results in a total width of five inches, which is confirmed during the demonstration. Overall, the chapter focuses on the meticulous craftsmanship and technical specifications of the blade.
• 11:00 - 12:00: Reflecting on Technique and Practice This chapter discusses techniques in measurement and accuracy with a focus on using the concept of 'teeth per inch.' It explains the calculation involved in determining accuracy by using the example of four teeth per inch and translates this into larger measurements to ensure precision. A step-by-step breakdown shows how the conversion of measurements is applied practically, concluding that at two and a half inches, there should be a tooth point, reinforcing the idea of disciplined accuracy in measurement.
• 12:00 - 13:00: Final Demonstration and Angle Explanation In this chapter, the speaker discusses the scale and dimensions of a blade, highlighting specific measurements for different sections. The speaker focuses on the front part of the blade, explaining that it is wider than the back. The front measures just under 7/16 of an inch while its back is a quarter inch. Additionally, the speaker mentions using a gouge to blend the front section.
• 13:00 - 14:00: Concluding Remarks and Viewer Engagement This chapter discusses the geometry of a saw cut and viewer engagement with the process. The speaker demonstrates the effect of teeth placement and how they influence the cut, aiming to enhance viewer understanding. The focus is on the precise details and their implications for the cutting process.

Bandsawing Secret Technique! Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 I've had a lot of people ask me about this like how to cut smoothly to a line because they watch the camel ladies zoom in every time I'm cutting something I'm showing you something and I know it's amazing I'm like so dead on the line all the way you're just shaking your head thinking how in the world does he do it well I've had people say this to me like how do you got so straight it I would like to tell you that I have
• 00:30 - 01:00 amazing skills far beyond but that's not what it is okay there's a little secret that you can do anyone can do and cut absolutely smoothly to a line now I will admit having some practice and experience over time you do get more of a feel for it but I want to show you what's going on in the bandsaw cut that makes this difference and will allow you to cut more smoothly to the line and never have
• 01:00 - 01:30 that dreaded uh over cut again well maybe you will if you're in a hurry but let's talk about a bit about the geometry of the bandsaw blade this is going to unlock it for you okay so I've got a half inch blade here this is a four tooth per inch now this is what I have set up on the bandsaw that I'm going to show you but I wanted to give you a closer look at what's going on here now this is uh
• 01:30 - 02:00 kind of a good medium-sized blade you know this is a typical blade that you'll buy for uh cutting wood for your woodworking projects as you get into the big bandsaw Mills those are a thicker blade but this is pretty much like the standard issue this is a timberwolf blade I get mine from uh suffolkmachinery.com and you can order the Timberwolf blades I don't have any sponsorship there or anything like that
• 02:00 - 02:30 I've just been getting them there for years and they're fine they're well priced so this uh blade if you look at the thickness of the metal in the back here so that thickness I looked it up and they will designate this as 25 thousands of an inch steel okay it's like a spring steel and then the curve that it cuts however is 42 thousands of an inch so
• 02:30 - 03:00 almost twice 25 thousands to forty two thousand so it's about 1.7 or something like that okay so we've got that flaring the teeth are flaring to the left and to the right so as you make your bandsaw cut the kerf is wider than the back of the blade so here's the curve let's just use an imaginary core curve curve here I just push this into the saw
• 03:00 - 03:30 now I don't know that might not be perfect because I might have gone at an angle and I'm not showing you the perfect thing but you can see that the the teeth are wide enough I can feel them touching the teeth are set they go opposite flares each side and then the back you can see the back of the blade if I go in this way it's loose in there now it's kind of hard to see that right so I decided in order to really communicate this it would be nice if we had something 10
• 03:30 - 04:00 times the size of this blade and 10 times the curve so instead of 25 thousands let's move the decimal point one place and let's say 25 hundredths or if you're up in your mouth that's a quarter inch okay 25 hundredths is one quarter of an inch and then for the curve we have 42 000 we'll move that we're going to do 42 hundredths which works out to be just below 7 16 of
• 04:00 - 04:30 an inch okay so check this out amazing here is the actual two scale curve this is 10 times that curve right there this is just about a sixty fourth of an inch under WOW 7 16. okay so you see it's almost a full 3 16 wider when you zoom in like this then the blade in here
• 04:30 - 05:00 is the magnified half inch blade check it out I spent a lot of time making this yeah say this blade ouch oh it's really well made this blade is half inch wide so 10 times a half inch blade is five inches wide and that's what we've got here we've got it it's right about five inches wide right there so
• 05:00 - 05:30 um and then it's four teeth per inch so if you think about it at four teeth per inch that means every quarter inch it should be a accurate there so if we're zooming up an inch that's 10 inches so a quarter one quarter of 10 inches is two and a half inches okay so every two and a half inches if you check it out I've got a tooth Point okay so this is nicely to
• 05:30 - 06:00 scale of this blade I just showed you okay this is the same thing just zoomed up 10 times now what I want you to note is look at the front I've got in the front if it's wider than the back this is the quarter inch that's an actual quarter inch and then in the front here it flares to just under 7 16 of an inch and then I actually took uh a gouge and and Blended that in after I
• 06:00 - 06:30 glued that back on so I don't know if you can see it on the video can you see it that those teeth are wider they flare out okay and then so you're getting the geometry of the saw cut now let's check it out this is where I wanted to really show you so you're coming in the teeth are set they're cutting a wide kerf like that I can feel those snug but let me bring it down to where I hit I didn't cut the teeth and you can see it more easily after it passes through look
• 06:30 - 07:00 in the back here's the quarter inch in that slop of a curve and that's if you cut that curve perfectly that's to scale what's going on when you zoom down on that okay so when you're band sawing if you're band sawing and you're looking right at the teeth and you're just trying to steer with the teeth there's a lot of slop back here and it's no wonder you
• 07:00 - 07:30 drift off the line when it's just kind of oh geez oh you know the feeling right we all know the feeling you're you're coming along it's not feeling good now look I'm assuming you're using a bandsaw where the guides are set okay it's tuned up it's not a mess all right it's set up and it's tuned up now we have another video that I made where I talked about what do we call it tuning up your bandsaw cleaning up your bandsaw so
• 07:30 - 08:00 we're going to put a link to that way down there yeah and that's all about um you know setting the guides and everything to work well so that you don't have a lot of slop in the blade it's not flying around and if you properly tension a blade sometimes these wider blades you can put them under greater tension so the guides aren't as big a deal a lot of times so but you do want to have them well set so that's what we're dealing with okay now when you're band sawing if you're
• 08:00 - 08:30 just focused on the front edge you're going to have a problem all right that's what you're this is what you're seeing me I'm not steering that way okay I am never searing that way if I can help it but what I'm doing is if you come in I'm I'm focusing on keeping the bandsaw blade slightly twisted like I'll slightly turn
• 08:30 - 09:00 the work piece so that it's leaning against one side of the kerf okay now I usually like to cut with my line over here okay I like the band the band saw uh I like cutting to the left of the line so when I'm feeding it it would be just like this if I made my line over here so usually if this was my line here I would be leaving the line okay I'd be
• 09:00 - 09:30 sawing to it so what I'm always doing is I'm turning the work piece toward the line side okay so the back of that blade is going to be touching even though it's flying by it's got tension and you won't hurt anything you're not massively twisting it what you're doing is using this secret little fence okay it's the actual band itself so when I'm leaning on that side look how much Gap there is on the other side that's a
• 09:30 - 10:00 lot of space so if you take that up by leaning on that one side while you're band sawing and looking at the line you're going to notice a world of difference all right now this is not as true the skinnier the blade gets the harder it is to execute this but you will you can still do it okay the skinnier the blade gets too the smaller the kerf so it's not as hard with some of the smaller uh bandsaw blades I don't run them that
• 10:00 - 10:30 much anymore because they they're notorious to break faster but I'm usually running a 3 8 or half inch on my little bandsaw okay so that's what I'm gonna do now when I cut to the other side of the line like let's say I'm in a position where I want to cut with the bandsaw blade on the right side of the line so I'd have my line over here I always like to turn in the direction of the line okay so if I
• 10:30 - 11:00 was cutting through and the line was on this side I would now turn it here and I'd be looking at the teeth up here and making the cut okay so see what happens when I I'm sorry I'll start cutting in and then I'm going to lean right on that and it's as if you've got like this nice little balance in the back you know some people call it steering with the back of the blade um I just I don't know how to explain it other than just that you're leaning
• 11:00 - 11:30 against the blade I've tried to explain this to many people how much better could it be than having a 10 time magnified example like this all right so with that done let's put some lines on some quarter inch MDF and I'm going to demonstrate on the saw so now I think you'll be able to totally pick up what's going on let's make some straight lines at first I'm going to just show you how easily you can saw to a straight line now most cases when you're going to saw
• 11:30 - 12:00 a straight line you can use your fence you know as a as an aid for that but sometimes you're in the middle of a curve or something you want to hit a straight line this is what you're going to do all right so down here I'm going to make a few lines I'll just take a pen let's see if we can get a pen so it shows up better they don't like to draw on MDF they get clogged up with that
• 12:00 - 12:30 okay there's one let's do another one just for fun we're gonna be having so much fun okay now let's do a curve this is from an actual leg pattern um let's turn it so you can see it better this is from the round chair the original brown chair so I'll just draw a curve around here let's do another one
• 12:30 - 13:00 and let's see I'll cut on that side yeah I'll cut on uh maybe I'll do three so I'll cut on one side of one the other yeah we'll just get to see it okay so in each case I will be using that technique alrighty so let's head over to the bandsaw turn on the dust collector and I'm going to turn on my little light here maybe that'll help and I have the camera
• 13:00 - 13:30 ladies light so that's good here we go [Music] all right foreign [Applause]
• 13:30 - 14:00 do it again [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause]
• 14:00 - 14:30 oh my life I need your light okay here we go on a term [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] all right
• 14:30 - 15:00 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] okay now do the other side I don't know if you can see this [Music]
• 15:00 - 15:30 [Applause] [Music] [Applause] okay okay one more all right so that last one you can see
• 15:30 - 16:00 it was off the blade in the back because I was turning it because I was cutting on the left side sorry the the line was on the left side so I was turning it into the line but did you notice how smooth that was fared so we're in the middle of this project sawing these curved legs like this sign these legs out like this so it's a subtle curve but
• 16:00 - 16:30 that exact technique is what I use to stay proud of the line and not overdo it once you saw at a fared curve like this you have to smooth it out and so the smoother your band sawing the less time it takes with that step two and the better result you get because you don't want to have a dip that you have to then scoop out and your leg ends up being a little too skinny so that's the technique just
• 16:30 - 17:00 turn the blade a little and use that secret fence don't just think of steering with the teeth okay that is gonna you're gonna struggle and you're going to waver in all that okay so once you saw it set up just get a chunk a bunch of pieces of some cheap wood of plywood MDF make a bunch of lines on it like I just did and just see what I'm talking about and I would start out with at least a half inch wide okay because that's going to
• 17:00 - 17:30 give you the feel of it all right as it gets narrower it gets harder to feel being against the blade and obviously with a half inch wide you're not going to be turning the tightest but you can go a pretty tight radius with uh it's not super tight but okay um Greg is suggesting that maybe a shot from the back uh if I was maybe on the back side do you have another one that I could yeah I was actually thinking about that when I was making my last cut I'll do one on one side one on the other so you're gonna see me
• 17:30 - 18:00 leaning against the side that has the line oh man [Music] [Music] oh [Music]
• 18:00 - 18:30 [Music] [Music] all right everyone thank you so much I hope you enjoyed that and I got to give you one last look at the model look at that
• 18:30 - 19:00 foreign but I it was worth it because if that helps you cut more smoothly on the bandsaw I love it so the world has changed it's all important yeah I I love it so um but thanks again if you enjoy this content remember to subscribe like share and head over to Epic woodworking.com that's where we have the neighborhood that's our Insider group we get access to all kinds of
• 19:00 - 19:30 deals like unbelievable and get on the inside you won't believe it a lot of nice friends there a lot of great people so on behalf of the camera and myself we look forward to seeing you next time right back here on Sharp Night Live g'day everybody good night everyone have a great week