SCW Woodworkers Club
Club House Phone Number: (623) 546-4722
Print this .pdf file for your records
Band Saw Guidelines
  1. Read or be familiar with tool operation. See the general instructions posted near the machine.
  2. If the light is on, the machine is running.
  3. Keep blade guide less than 1 finger thickness above the work to prevent binding and twisting of the blade.
  4. Do not cut until the blade is turning at full speed.
  5. Let the machine cut the wood, don’t force it.
  6. Use a push stick.
    • When cutting small or narrow pieces.
    • When removing small pieces from around the blade.
  7. When a small piece gets lodged the blade and the table insert, turn off the machine and wait for it to stop before pulling it out.
  8. Never operate the band saw cross handed.
  9. Be careful when backing the blade out.
    • If you have to back the blade out, do it slow and carefully so that you don’t pull the blade out of the roller guides and twist the blade.
  10. The narrower the blade, the tighter the radius you can cut.
    • The curve one is able to cut with a ¼” blade is about the circumference of a quarter. Any tighter curve will bind and damage the blade.
    • For tighter curves, use the scroll saw.
  11. Don’t try cutting curves on the ½” or larger blades.
  12. Make relief cuts in tight areas or corners to prevent binding of the blade.
  13. 13. Machine #62 is used for resawing, No logs and No Cutting of Circles!!
  14. Machine # 73 is the only one used for cutting logs (for bowl turning)
    15. .
    • When cutting logs:
      • You cannot hold the log square to the blade freehand.
      • Use the “V” sled to prevent blade damage when cross cutting.
      • Use the sled to square up a side.
      • No Cutting of Circles.
  15. Use the brake pedal to stop the blade for the above two saws.
    • Push brake slowly but firmly.
    • Not like emergency braking in a car.
  16. When finished:
    • Turn off the machine and wait for the blade to stop running.
      • Do not leave the machine while band is running. You can use a piece of scrap stock to stop the blade.
    • Lower the blade guide to the table top (this helps to remind the next person to properly adjust the guide height).
    • Clean up your mess on the machine and the floor.
  17. If the blade breaks, report it to the shop monitor immediately so that an “out of order” sign can be placed on the machine and a repair form filled out.
  18. If you need assistance with any operation, please ask your floor monitor or shop manager.