Woodworking 411

With Father’s day came the chance to finally get a tool I’ve wanted for a long time - a bandsaw. I ended up with the lower-level Delta model 28-276, which has the open base and 3/4 horsepower motor. I just couldn’t see paying more than $200 for an extra 1/4 horsepower and a closed base.

So far the sucker cuts like a dream. I bought a 1/2″ Timber Wolf blade for it that is much nicer for resaw than the 1/4″ blade that came with the saw. Not bad for $30. I’ve also looked into roller guides, but what I’m reading suggests the improvement in performance is pretty small. I think I’ll stick with the steel guides, and take care in adjusting them.

The next purchase will likely be a Kreg fence.

Woodcraft University has a new course - Bandsaw 101. I think bandsaws are far more complicated to tune than to use, but still it’s nice to learn new techniques. Also, if you’re contemplating whether to get a new tool or not, or are trying to decide between, say, a lathe and a bandsaw, these kinds of intro courses can give you a better idea of how much use it’s really likely to get in your own shop.

WMH Tool Group, the folks who bring us Jet, Powermatic, Performax, Wilton, and other brands have posted a nice schedule of the trade shows they’ll be attending, along with whether they are retail/consumer, or industry focused. There was a new one in Chicago I hadn’t heard of before.

Check it out!