Band Saws

Where a carpenter might use a handheld jigsaw to make curved cuts, most woodworkers turn to a bandsaw. With its continuous cutting action and broad table, the bandsaw offers better control and cleaner cuts than its small cousin.

As with most tools, setup is very important, as is a sharp blade. With the guides retracted, the blade should be adjusted to run in the center of the upper wheel. Then all of the guides should be adjusted close to the blade, with the side guides set just behind the teeth to avoid being damaged. The user should push firmly but not too hard on the workpiece, letting the blade do the work.