Band
Saw Handbook
by Mark Duginske
Softcover
200 x 250mm
317pp
Published by Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., New York USA
R.R.P.$19.90
ISBN 0-8069-6398-0
ON BACK ORDER
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 31
There was a time when most of the bandsaws available were simply too expensive for the average workshop. The only alternative were 'cheapies' which rarely satisfied the serious user since they promised more than they could provide.
Now there is also a mid-range of machines. These have many of the features of the larger bandsaws, are quite robust enough for the kind and volume of work encountered in even small professional workshops, yet are priced within the ambitions of the recreational woodworker.
It is the advent of these machines that makes a book such as the Band Saw Handbook so timely. Already selling very well in the US, we predict that the Band Saw Handbook will find ready acceptance in Australia as well.
The book begins with an overview of bandsaw fundamentals. This is followed by a chapter on blades and another on blade selection. These latter are excellent. Anyone who has searched for information such as this will have discovered that most of the currently available literature offers very little assistance. Inevitably, the references to various timbers are North American in origin but this does not appreciably reduce the value of the data given.
The next 45 pages are devoted to Pre-Use Procedures. The adjustments of the bandsaw are covered in detail. These include wheel alignment and tracking systems, adjusting the thrust bearings and guides and tensioning the blade.
The rest of the book (approximately half of its 319 pages) is devoted to Maintenance and Cutting Procedures. This covers everything from Troubleshooting and advice on Safety, to the use of Patterns and Templates. The Chapter on Advanced Techniques is especially interesting. It deals with subjects such as the making of boxes, cutting dovetails, making letters (for signs etc.), making Cabriole legs and cutting tenons.
The book finishes with nine projects. Some, such as the Mallet are relatively easy, others such as the Folding Basket, will test the skills of any sawyer. Obviously intended as a one-stop source for most of the data needed to choose and use a bandsaw, the Band Saw Handbook lives up to its title and intent. It is a practical, straight-forward book, easy to read and informative.
Photos: Black & White
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Band-Saw Fundamentals
Historical Overview
Basic Information
All
About Blades
Blade Basics
Selecting a Blade
Pre-Use
Procedures
Alignment and Tracking Procedures
Adjusting the Thrust
Bearings and Guides
Tensioning the Blade
Maintenance
and Cutting Procedures
Maintenance
and Troubleshooting
Safety Procedures
Basic Cutting Techniques
Patterns
and Templates
Making Curves
Circular Work
Making Straight Cuts
More Advanced Techniques
Projects
Metric
Equivalency Chart
Index