I'm pretty new to woodworking and tools in general, but I really want to learn how to resaw different kinds of wood for my laser projects. I've got some cocobolo and rosewood, which I think are better off used whole, but I'm eager to resaw ash, aspen, pine, curly maple, and possibly wenge. I don't have a big budget to start with, and while I'm open to buying quality blades, I want to make sure I'd actually use the bandsaw before investing too much in it. I'm also considering a used machine but wouldn't know how to check its condition or what kind of deal I should aim for. I'd appreciate any tips on bandsaws, blades, fences, or anything else that could help me get started—especially since I want to stick to solid wood instead of using glued plywood or MDF.
2 Answers
It really depends on how thin you want to go. I can resaw wood down to 1/4" with my 14" JET bandsaw, which I snagged for about $800 on sale. Setting up your bandsaw correctly is key; most issues come from improper setup. There are tons of YouTube tutorials out there to help with that. If you’re thinking of going really thin, close to veneer thickness, you might need a drum sander since planers can be unsafe for that thin. I always use a 3 TPI blade just for resawing—switching it out when I need to use other blades.
You’ll definitely want to consider how much you can spend. If you already have a planer, that’s great! I’d suggest trying to stay below $500 for your bandsaw if you’re looking at second-hand options. It's not a lot, especially for better quality tools, but you might find something that fits your needs.
Thanks! It sounds like the $500 mark is where I’ll need to focus. Any tips on what condition to check for if I go the used route?
I’m usually looking at around 1/8 to 1/4" thickness too. I'm planning to set my bandsaw up specifically for that purpose with help from a local woodworking buddy, though he's quite busy. So, I figured I’d gather some tool advice here while I’m at it!