I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood. I first
cut the shape of the lure out from 1" thick maple and then while the
wood is still square I cut out the lip slot. I have squared the blade
to the table from the front and side....just eyeballing it. But every
single time the bill will tilt just a little down and to the right
while looking at it from the front. Anyone know how to correct this?
thank you
II
[email protected] wrote:
> I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood.
<snip>
I wouldn't use a bandsaw, I'd use a router with a slot cutter aand a
jig to hold the lure while cutting.
Think about a biscuit cutter.
It's the same concept.
Lew
I'm sorry, I don't know what a "trunion" is.
I did use a square when I set the table...sorry for the confusion.
Lew,
Since there are slight differences in one lure to the next do you think
I would have difficulty cutting the line straight?
thanks guys!!
II
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> > fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> > to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood.
> <snip>
>
> I wouldn't use a bandsaw, I'd use a router with a slot cutter aand a
> jig to hold the lure while cutting.
>
> Think about a biscuit cutter.
>
> It's the same concept.
>
> Lew
Google "trunnion". Tom
[email protected] wrote:
> I'm sorry, I don't know what a "trunion" is.
>
> I did use a square when I set the table...sorry for the confusion.
>
> Lew,
>
> Since there are slight differences in one lure to the next do you think
> I would have difficulty cutting the line straight?
>
> thanks guys!!
>
> II
>
>
>
>
> Lew Hodgett wrote:
> > [email protected] wrote:
> > > I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> > > fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> > > to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood.
> > <snip>
> >
> > I wouldn't use a bandsaw, I'd use a router with a slot cutter aand a
> > jig to hold the lure while cutting.
> >
> > Think about a biscuit cutter.
> >
> > It's the same concept.
> >
> > Lew
Lew,
If you don't mind can you post a link to the type of bit you are
talking about? Sorry, I live in a very small town with one mom and pop
hardware store so getting this kind of info is via the internet mostly.
Thank you.
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> > Lew,
> >
> > Since there are slight differences in one lure to the next do you think
> > I would have difficulty cutting the line straight?
>
> Depends on how you design your fixture.
>
> If you can define a point on the lure that is repetitive, then
> register from it, you wipe out all the variables which will give you a
> straight cut.
>
> Lew
[email protected] wrote:
> I'm sorry, I don't know what a "trunion" is.
>
> I did use a square when I set the table...sorry for the confusion.
>
> Lew,
>
> Since there are slight differences in one lure to the next do you think
> I would have difficulty cutting the line straight?
>
> thanks guys!!
>
> II
>
Perhaps you could cut the slot first, then lay out the lure shape
relative to the slot, then cut the shape of the lure.
JLarsson
[email protected] wrote:
> I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood. I first
> cut the shape of the lure out from 1" thick maple and then while the
> wood is still square I cut out the lip slot. I have squared the blade
> to the table from the front and side....just eyeballing it. But every
> single time the bill will tilt just a little down and to the right
> while looking at it from the front. Anyone know how to correct this?
>
> thank you
>
> II
If your guides are properly adjusted your bandsaw will cut straight -
but it won't cut square. Bandsaws are subject to "drift". That's why
bandsaw rip fences have to be set at an angle to the blade and not
parallel like on a table saw. Now, if you're only cutting a slot in a
piece, there isn't much opportunity for drift - that's more of a factor
on longer cuts. I would go back to your guide blocks and thrust bearing
and make sure they are properly set.
I could write out the whole procedure for you, but that's a lot of
typing. Maybe someone has a link to a website with all the details? If
you own a bandsaw this is stuff you need to know, so consider a book
like Duginske's "The Bandsaw Book" or a similar one by Lonnie Bird. You
might find one or the other at the local library.
Cheers
Thanks Lew.
Doug and others.
The saw is a 14" version and made by Ridgid...I bought it a few months
ago at Home Depot. It is possible that the square is not "square"...I
bought the square at a local hardware store and have no idea who made
it.
I have adjusted down the blocks to where they are just above the
working surface.
I have adjusted the top and bottom blocks so that they are gently
touching the blade on either side, no wobble or drift is visible.
The blade I am using is a replacement I bought made by Ridgid. I am
thinking more and more that it's the blade that is giving me the
problem. The blade is only a month or so old but it's cut a fair amount
of wood already.
The thrust bearing (if that's the one right behind the blocks) is
adjusted so that it's just barely away from the blade. It will spin
slowly as I slowly move the water past the blade.
Where do you order the Olson Blades?
Thanks again for the suggestions.
II
drifwood wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> > fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> > to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood. I first
> > cut the shape of the lure out from 1" thick maple and then while the
> > wood is still square I cut out the lip slot. I have squared the blade
> > to the table from the front and side....just eyeballing it. But every
> > single time the bill will tilt just a little down and to the right
> > while looking at it from the front. Anyone know how to correct this?
> >
> > thank you
> >
> > II
>
> If your guides are properly adjusted your bandsaw will cut straight -
> but it won't cut square. Bandsaws are subject to "drift". That's why
> bandsaw rip fences have to be set at an angle to the blade and not
> parallel like on a table saw. Now, if you're only cutting a slot in a
> piece, there isn't much opportunity for drift - that's more of a factor
> on longer cuts. I would go back to your guide blocks and thrust bearing
> and make sure they are properly set.
>
> I could write out the whole procedure for you, but that's a lot of
> typing. Maybe someone has a link to a website with all the details? If
> you own a bandsaw this is stuff you need to know, so consider a book
> like Duginske's "The Bandsaw Book" or a similar one by Lonnie Bird. You
> might find one or the other at the local library.
>
> Cheers
[email protected] wrote:
> Thanks Lew.
>
> Doug and others.
>
> The saw is a 14" version and made by Ridgid...I bought it a few months
> ago at Home Depot. It is possible that the square is not "square"...I
> bought the square at a local hardware store and have no idea who made
> it.
>
You can check your square for square. Put it on the edge of something
you know is square - tablesaw table for example. Draw a pencil line
along the ruler then flip the square over in the left/right sense and
draw another line starting at the same point. Doing this will
effectively double any inaccuracy in the square. If one line is right
on top of the other along the whole length then you're square. If they
diverge then you'll be able to see how much it's out by and decide if
you need to get a better square.
I got it figured out guys. I changed the blade and while adjusting the
blocks and wheels I discovered something. If I looked straight down on
the blocks from above while slowly spinning the wheels by hand, I could
very clearly see the path of the blade. I noticed that the blade would
at times be tweaked just a little right at the blocks. I continued to
adjust the blocks until I could see that the blade left the upper wheel
and continued on a perfectly straight path through the blocks and down
to the next wheel. I then squared the table and it cuts perfectly.
Thanks to all that tried to help me!
II
drifwood wrote:
> [email protected] wrote:
> > Thanks Lew.
> >
> > Doug and others.
> >
> > The saw is a 14" version and made by Ridgid...I bought it a few months
> > ago at Home Depot. It is possible that the square is not "square"...I
> > bought the square at a local hardware store and have no idea who made
> > it.
> >
>
>
> You can check your square for square. Put it on the edge of something
> you know is square - tablesaw table for example. Draw a pencil line
> along the ruler then flip the square over in the left/right sense and
> draw another line starting at the same point. Doing this will
> effectively double any inaccuracy in the square. If one line is right
> on top of the other along the whole length then you're square. If they
> diverge then you'll be able to see how much it's out by and decide if
> you need to get a better square.
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
>fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
>to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood. I first
>cut the shape of the lure out from 1" thick maple and then while the
>wood is still square I cut out the lip slot. I have squared the blade
>to the table from the front and side....just eyeballing it. But every
>single time the bill will tilt just a little down and to the right
>while looking at it from the front. Anyone know how to correct this?
Had you thought of squaring the blade to the table by actually using an actual
square? <g> I'm guessing that your "eyeball measurement" is not nearly as
close to square as you think it is.
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] wrote:
>The saw is a 14" version and made by Ridgid...I bought it a few months
>ago at Home Depot. It is possible that the square is not "square"...I
>bought the square at a local hardware store and have no idea who made
>it.
One way to check if it's square:
hold it against the edge of a board like so |_ and make a mark along the blade
with the point of a *sharp* pencil (or a knife)
then flip it over like so _|
It should align with the mark. If it doesn't, either the board isn't straight,
or the square isn't square.
Another, more reliable way: find a Starrett or Incra square somewhere. Use it
to check yours. If they don't match... it isn't the Starrett square that's out
of whack. :-)
If there's a Rockler or Woodcraft store anywhere near you, they should have a
few in stock. Or if you know anybody who's a machinist or tool-and-die maker,
ask him. *Whatever* square he uses will be square.
You live anywhere near Indianapolis? Drop by, and I'll check it for you.
>
>I have adjusted down the blocks to where they are just above the
>working surface.
>
>I have adjusted the top and bottom blocks so that they are gently
>touching the blade on either side, no wobble or drift is visible.
Good, and good...
>
>The blade I am using is a replacement I bought made by Ridgid. I am
>thinking more and more that it's the blade that is giving me the
>problem. The blade is only a month or so old but it's cut a fair amount
>of wood already.
.. Not good. Probably wasn't a real super good blade to begin with, and if
it's worn, well...
>
>The thrust bearing (if that's the one right behind the blocks) is
>adjusted so that it's just barely away from the blade. It will spin
>slowly as I slowly move the water past the blade.
Good...
>
>Where do you order the Olson Blades?
Ballew Saw & Tool in Springfield MO
http://www.ballewsaw.com
I ordered two blades from them on a Monday morning, and received them on
Wednesday afternoon. (Indianapolis, as noted above)
>
>Thanks again for the suggestions.
Hope you get it working the way you want. Good luck!
--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.
In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
>
> I did use a square when I set the table...sorry for the confusion.
Odd... I could've *sworn* you said you eyeballed it. Oh, well. Never
mind.
If you used a square to square the blade to the table, then check for
the following:
+ Your square isn't square. If it's one of those three-for-$20 sets of
"engineer's squares" imported from India or China, or if you bought it
at Harbor Freight or Home Depot or Sears, it's probably not. OTOH, if it
says "Starrett" or "Incra", it almost certainly is.
+ You're not being as careful aligning the square to the blade and table
as you think you are.
+ Table shifts when you tighten the adjusting knobs. Check for square,
tighten the knobs, and re-check.
+ Upper blade guide is set too far above the work. This allows the blade
to drift excessively. The upper guide should just clear the work.
+ Upper and/or lower guide blocks or rollers are set too far apart. This
also allows the blade to drift excessively.
+ Feed rate is too fast.
+ Blade is dull.
+ Blade is damaged (teeth sharper on one side than on the other, usually
the result of hitting something other than wood). This will cause the
blade to not cut straight.
+ Blade is a POS. If you're still using the blade that came with the
saw, this is likely to be the case. Until recently, I would have
recommended using a Timberwolf blade. No more: I recently bought some
Olson blades, and I'll never go back to the Timberwolf. The cut quality
of the Olson is noticeably better -- at *half* the price.
+ Saw is a POS. (You didn't say what it was, or how old it is.) I really
hope this isn't the problem.
Hope this helps... Good luck, and let us know what the problem turned
out to be.
Try resquaring you table and blade with a square and then make sure that the
trunions on the table are tight. Cut test piece and if still off use "ky"
windage to set saw where it needs to be. Also check your blade guides.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am trying to cut out the slot used for the plastic bill on some
> fishing baits. I am using my 14" bandsaw with a 1/2" coarse tooth blade
> to do this and cannot get the cut to be square with the wood. I first
> cut the shape of the lure out from 1" thick maple and then while the
> wood is still square I cut out the lip slot. I have squared the blade
> to the table from the front and side....just eyeballing it. But every
> single time the bill will tilt just a little down and to the right
> while looking at it from the front. Anyone know how to correct this?
>
> thank you
>
> II
>
[email protected] wrote:
> Lew,
>
> If you don't mind can you post a link to the type of bit you are
> talking about? Sorry, I live in a very small town with one mom and pop
> hardware store so getting this kind of info is via the internet mostly.
Anybody that sells router bits.
Try pricecutter.com, then search for "slot cutter"
Lew
[email protected] wrote:
> Lew,
>
> Since there are slight differences in one lure to the next do you think
> I would have difficulty cutting the line straight?
Depends on how you design your fixture.
If you can define a point on the lure that is repetitive, then
register from it, you wipe out all the variables which will give you a
straight cut.
Lew