Hack

I purchased a Powermatic 14" bandsaw about a year ago. When I bought it, it came with a (not installed) 6" riser block to increase resaw capacity.

I installed the 6" riser block and longer blade this weekend.

I got it all tuned up after the install, and tried my first resaw on a piece of mahogany about 8 1/2" wide and 3/4" thick. I got about 1/8" into the piece when and it was making a racket and smoking

I'm guessing it's the wrong blade.

What blade SHOULD I use for resawing? I think the max capacity is 3/4" for the saw. How many TPI should I use????

I checked on the Woodcraft site, and they show a "hook tooth" blade that is thinner than normal blades.

I've got a piece that I need to resaw, and I clearly don't know how to do this. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to go in to the store with at least SOME idea of what I need...

__________________
Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

mpm1696

No.1 make sure your new saw and riser block installation is set straight and true; You want accuracy here.
No.2 A 3/4" wide blade is a bit too thick for a 14" band saw. I find that a 1/2" wide x 3 Tpi (tooth per inch) works best.
No.3 Don't force the feed, let it cut, just drive it. If you can change speed on your saw, put it in the middle - too fast = lest power and vice versa.
No.4 adjust your blade to your saw- each blade feeds differently. With the upper tracking guide, adjust your saw so it drives straight - Trial and error on scraps. Be patient, any good saw can be adjusted to run like a marvel. I have a table saw and a band saw, I wouldn't want anything else. There's a lot of cutting, a band saw can do, way better than a table saw.

G.luck

Pete

mpm1696

Oops

No. 5 adjust the pressure just a bit higher than recommended on your pressure gauge for the saw width you're using. If it the saw binds and runs rough while cutting, dial in more pressure. You want to find the saw's sweet spot! - Just don't forget to release the pressure when your done for the day - ALWAYS.

Pete

Hack

Thanks, Pete.

The blade I have installed now is probably 10 TPI...so that's probably one of the biggest problems. The teeth are loaded with wood before they even get through the part.

The manual for the saw says I can run 3/4" blades, but I can try a 1/2" blade, which is wider than I have now.

I have bearing guides, and I have adjusted everything to be just as they recommend.

Luckily, tensioning is easy because I've got the quick-tension lever on the saw...

Thanks for the help. I'll go get a 3 TPI and see how it does...

__________________
Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)