Bandsaws provide woodworkers multiple tools in one equipment. However, they are usually overlooked in cutting more complicated lines and curves. The good news is that they should no longer be a no-choice option for cutting applications. Moreover, the rule that the narrower the blade, the tighter the produced cut might urge you to select a smaller blade. However, it is not always the case when using bandsaw blades. Here are the tips that will help you perform complex cuts with just a bandsaw and can even compete with any cuts made utilizing a scroll saw.
#1. Creating the pattern before cutting
While you might be tempted to begin working without a pattern, but if you have to achieve tight cuts, you need to be prepared. So, rather than drawing the pattern straight onto the workpiece, you need to be ready with some accurate plan first that can be transferred to your stock. It can be either through a vinyl print out or spraying an adhesive onto your stock or even traceable with a pencil. Whichever option you choose to transfer, just ensure that the plan is made to scale.
#2. Applying relief cuts
When doing tight radius cut, bandsaw blades have the tendency to be prone to binding but this can be avoided using the power of relief cuts. This is an old trick that also prevents the blade from drifting off the cut line. It excellently works in any curve line with a radius of fewer than 2 inches. In order to create a relief, cut, simply make a straight cut in the waste material until you reach the line and do the same back out.
#3. Performing the cut through manageable size
Though you can create a tight cut in a huge piece of stock, this will make your cutting task more difficult. Bandsaw blades are not designed to perform intricate cuts in a large workpiece. So, it is always a good decision to cut your stock down to smaller and much more manageable sizes first to make things go smoothly.
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