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Best method to trim a piece?

1K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  woodnthings 
#1 ·
Hi all

I am making a bookcase, and need shelves to be 290mm deep. I have glued up two 150mm lengths for each shelf and so now I have 8 shelves which are 300mm deep and need trimming down to 290mm.

What is the best way to reduce the size of the board? I have a (very new) bandsaw, and a router. Would you guys use the bandsaw to rip off 10mm from the boards, or would I get an uneven edge? Or could I use a straight bit and rout it? I guess I could use another board as a guide for the fence, or maybe use a bit with a bearing.

I really just want to quickest and easiest way to reduce the board, but keeping the edge nice and clean.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. I jut don't want to go bandsawing all 8 shelves and then find there was a much easier way!
 
#3 · (Edited)
No table saw...right?

Then your bandsaw, if set up accurately, and using the fence will do just fine. A blade with 6 teeth per inch will leave an edge clean enough to hand plane smooth...and if that's not good enough, put the bandsawn edge at the rear. I use a bandsaw, properly set up, for a lot of ripping and resawing cuts. It's safer on smaller pieces than the table saw with less danger of kickback. :thumbsup: bill
BTW 10 mm is a lot to remove with a router and will not be as accurate unless you have a router table, properly set up.....JMO
A combination of bandsawing close to the line then finishing with the router table, used like a jointer to straighten the edge would work also.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Thanks for the tips - all useful as usual.

Sounds like I am best off using the bandsaw - I don't have any in/out feeds ..but boards are all 1100mm long, so i think it will be ok. If I can get them to within a couple of mm, then my friendly No 6 should do the rest no problem.

This will actually be the first 'real' job I have done with the bs, because it only arrived last week and so far have only just done a few test cuts. Will be good to give it a real job to tackle, especially now I know it is a suitable use of it.
 
#6 ·
1100 mm is about 43 inches

So, that's a workable length on the bandsaw if.... you can support the outfeed end and a cabinet/block/rollerstand etc. even a same height board clamped to a saw horse. You can always cut 1/2 way through, walk around to the rear side and pull the rest through, but that would not be my method. ;) bill
BTW I have used the el cheapo roller stands from Harbor Freight at $15.00 and have several of them.
 
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