Band Saw Basics¶
The unsung hero of metal shops - cutting stock to size without drama, if you know what you're doing.
Tutorials¶
- Horizontal vs Vertical - Which saw for which job
- Blade Selection - TPI, materials, and blade life
- Speeds and Materials - Getting clean cuts without burning blades
- Horizontal Saw Setup - Making it cut true (not at an angle)
- Cutting Techniques - Tips for clean, accurate cuts
Why This Shit Matters¶
The band saw is usually the first tool to touch your stock. Get it wrong and you're:
- Fighting crooked cuts through the whole job
- Wasting material with bad angles
- Burning through expensive blades
- Making more work for yourself or the shop manager
Master the band saw and every job starts easier.
Prerequisites¶
You should know:
- Basic shop safety
- How to mark and measure
- Difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals
The Golden Rules¶
- Let the saw do the work - Forcing it just breaks blades
- Right blade for the material - One blade doesn't cut all
- Check square before long cuts - 5 minutes setup saves hours of frustration