Am I chasing my tail

boostfan · Post by **boostfan** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:08 pm

I recently installed an aluminum table and Kreg bandsaw fence. I spent an hour or so today trying to adjust the fence for blade drift and I still don't have it right. I have seen the Resaw guides but was really hoping not to need one, because I have quite a bit of milling/resawing to do. Can I get the fence set so to cut true without a resaw guide or am I chasing my tail?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:20 pm

Boost;
Are you sure it is the fence? Improper blade tension can cause the blade to wander. Make sure the top and bottom blade guards are aligned properly. I have done some resawing (not much) and have had no trouble just using the standard SS blades. Also blade types can cause a problem. If it is a stamped blade it will not perform as well as a blade that has "milled" teeth. Inconsistant tooth set on a blade will also cause a blade to wander.
Bill V

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 6:29 pm

There are several things that are critical to resawing. The blade must be sharp and cutting the same on each side so that it does not drift. The table and blade need to be at a perfect 90 degrees to each other. Blade tension is important and must be "played with" to find the best setting. Guides should be set to the blade and not the blade to the guide. A single point contact area is better than using the entire fence. This can be accomplished by using an auxiliary fence with a raised contact area. I highly recommend these resaw blades from Highland Woodworking. Good luck with your resawing project. In my openion the Shopsmith band saw will resaw as well as any other on the market if set up properly.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/wood ... to137.aspx

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 7:33 pm

After installing the Kreg bandsaw fence last Summer my son and I were able to do some extraordinary resawing, using the Shopsmith 5/8" blade. I reported on this fence on the Lumberjocks forum. http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/1682

We used the standard method to compensaate for blade drift; Take a straight piece of wood, any kind, with dimensions approx 2"x3/4"x30", and draw a straight line down the middle the entire length. Then very carefully freehand cut down this line about half way. Stop the bandsaw without disturbing the position of the test piece, and clamp it in place, again being careful to not move it. You will note that it is cocked at a slight angle to the table & blade. You have defined the drift. Loosen the fence and move it against the clamped test piece and lock the fence at this angle.

This method has always worked for me. Note that if you change blades you will have to repeat this proceedure, as all bandsaw blades are individuals.

boostfan · Post by **boostfan** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 10:02 pm

On one hand it is good to know it can be done and on the other, it makes it very frustrating. I am using the 5/8 SS blade, without a lot of use, so I hope it is still pretty sharp. I will need to play with it more this week.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Feb 27, 2011 10:21 pm

boostfan wrote:I recently installed an aluminum table and Kreg bandsaw fence. I spent an hour or so today trying to adjust the fence for blade drift and I still don't have it right. I have seen the Resaw guides but was really hoping not to need one, because I have quite a bit of milling/resawing to do. Can I get the fence set so to cut true without a resaw guide or am I chasing my tail?

I have not had the best constant results using an adjusted straight fence, but a single point guide has always worked for me without fail.

As mentioned above, there are quite a few factors that will limit straight re-sawing. I've found the single point fence to simplify the needed adjustments. Sometimes changing grain will cause a blade to change drift directions. The single point allows one to adjust instantaneously to keep a straight line. Just make sure the tension is set correctly and as mbcabnetmaker pointed out, set the guide blocks to the blade after tension is set. Using cool blocks has been best for me, as they can be set directly onto the blade with no space allowance.

Kreg sells a single point fence. also you can make your own. Actually kreg's is a curved rewaw guide that fits onto their fence. If you scroll down this link you will find a review of their 4 1/2" resaw guide. I made my resaw fence to mimic the Kreg guide. (Photos below)http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/kregbandsawfence.htm

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:04 pm

charlese wrote: Kreg sells a single point fence. also you can make your own. Actually kreg's is a curved rewaw guide that fits onto their fence. If you scroll down this link you will find a review of their 4 1/2" resaw guide. I made my resaw fence to mimic the Kreg guide. (Photos below)http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/kregbandsawfence.htm

I have the entire Kreg Fence. My favorite part it the resaw guide which I use nearly everyday. That little Jewell is worth every nickle. Fjimp

boostfan · Post by **boostfan** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 9:43 pm

fjimp wrote:I have the entire Kreg Fence. My favorite part it the resaw guide which I use nearly everyday. That little Jewell is worth every nickle. Fjimp

I didn't pass on the guide for money, I just struggled to see the point in buying a fence if I am only using a single point. It seems like I could have built a simple fixture for doing that and skip the fence all together. Do use your fence for anything more than a part to hold your single point resaw guide on.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:05 pm

boostfan wrote:I didn't pass on the guide for money, I just struggled to see the point in buying a fence if I am only using a single point. It seems like I could have built a simple fixture for doing that and skip the fence all together. Do use your fence for anything more than a part to hold your single point resaw guide on.

Yes I do use the fence. Your original question as I understood focused on the re sawing guide. Thus my answer. I like the miniscule ability of measuring the setting for the fence and the guide. I use my bandsaw a great deal and have enjoyed it far more after switching to the new system. If you see no value in the adjustment portion of the guide then make your own re saw guide and see if it meets your needs. If not you can always upgrade later. Fjimp