Bandsaw choice - segmenting pens

Chriscb · Dec 10, 2016

Afternoon all,

This is really a question to those of you who make up segmented pens.

What type of saw do you use to cut the segments - bandsaw, table saw etc. I'm looking at the Axminster HBS200N or the Proxxon MBS 240E as two mini bandsaws with good specs and thin blades. Or what would you advise?

My current set up is a Record BS400 which copes well with the odd tree trunk but lacks the finesse for repeated cuts at precise angles. (or it just maybe the operator!) Of course it could just be a case of getting a new mitre gauge, but the record mitre track is an odd size.

Thanks.

Regards,

Chriscb

Terry Q · Dec 10, 2016

Chris I use a scroll saw to produce the serpentine blanks and table saw for everything else. A quality, sharp table saw blade used with a sled will always give excellent, repeatable results. The band saw always leave a rough surface. Even a blade with 24 tpi.

GeordieB · Dec 10, 2016

A cheaper version than the table saw would be a chopsaw but the same good quality blade

Penpal · Dec 10, 2016

I have a mate with incredible standards in Document boxes etc. He uses an expensive chop saw for accuracy. His bandsaw operates with the blade highly tensioned. Now between his use of gear and yours and mine requires much thought and care in choosing. The quality of blades is imperitive to me.

Now just check with Woody he has phenominal success with his methods. Look back on his choices over time, lots to learn from IMHO.

Peter.

wm460 · Dec 10, 2016

I use a table saw or a Compound Mitre Saw.

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...k82MABHSPptbUrKltqugbw&bvm=bv.141320020,d.c2I

wm460 · Dec 10, 2016

A Chop saw that the seppo's use would be a bit rough and be hard to get rid of the burn marks. :devil:

http://pop.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/05/54c7e09c8e4da_-_chop-saw-01-0115-lgn.jpg

GeordieB · Dec 10, 2016

wm460 said:
A Chop saw that the seppo's use would be a bit rough and be hard to get rid of the burn marks.

http://pop.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/05/54c7e09c8e4da_-_chop-saw-01-0115-lgn.jpg

chopsaw and mitresaw are the same thing Mark you be thinking of a radial arm saw me thinks :kiss:

Chriscb · Dec 11, 2016

Morning chaps,

Thanks for the replies. Need to have a think about my next step.

Chriscb

Scots Bill · Dec 11, 2016

Hi, I made a sledge for my bandsaw, to make celtic knots, but found there was too much side way play in the sled, so sloppy cuts ensued. Woody says the serpentine blanks he does were TerryQ's plan so Terry will be the man. I have made the serpentine ones with bandsaw, narrow blade and fret, or scroll saw.
For the celtic knots I am going to use a chop saw, clean cuts and the kerf nicely takes three pieces of the plastic I want to glue in. The bandsaw, to get the width I had to make one cut, then insert a spacer and do another cut to get the required width. :thinks:

Doug · Dec 11, 2016

Chris a big bandsaw will more easily tension a narrow blade than a smaller machine, I would stick with your BS400 & try a fish & bone blade that is what I used to use for Celtic knots on a bigger machine than the BS400.

Choice of what you use depends on what segmenting you are doing, I've moved away from machines & now do most of mine with hand tools in particular a fine dovetail saw. That said like Terry Q I do also use a scrollsaw which i personally think is more valuable to you arsenal of tools than 2 bandsaws, that's is if you haven't already got one.

bigbob · Dec 11, 2016

I have the BS350 and use tuffsaw 5/8ths blades and set it up as per Alex Snodgrass method and it cuts as straight and true as my bench saw and like Bill made a jig to make Celtic knots I used Oak cut and lightly sanded to go into the mitre slot but used the cut off for a stop so if I require cuts wider than the kerf this can be done accurately. I am sure that your BS 400 could be utilised to do the same without spending anymore money except on material to make jigs.

Bandsaw choice - segmenting pens

Loquacious