In woodworking, resawing is the process of sawing a log into thin boards. This can be done with a bandsaw, but its much easier to do with a table saw. In this blog post, Ill show you how to resaw wood on a table saw. First, I’ll explain why you might want resaw wood. Then, I’ll show how to set your table saw up for resawing. Finally, Ill walk you through the steps of actually resawing the wood. Let’s get started!
Why Might You Want To Resaw Wooden?
The most common reason to resaw wood is to create a board that has a different thickness than the stock youre working with. For example, if I started with a board thats two inches thick and I want my final board to be 3/10 cm (or 3/20 cm), then my best option is resawing. my preferred method of resawing is on a table saw
How To Resaw Wood On A Table Saw Step By Step Guide
These are the steps you need to carefully resaw wood on your table saw.
Step 1: Set up your table saw
For resawing, it is important to properly set up your tablesaw. You will be pushing a lot wood through the saw and this will create a lot heat. In order to keep the blade from overheating and binding in the cut, I recommend adding a zero clearance insert (ZCI).
You should also set the blade height to about 3/81 cm higher than your stock at the deepest point of the cut. If you were planning on making more than one pass through the board, then lower or raise this height accordingly.
My table saw’s radial arm has two wheels either side. This makes it easy to adjust the height. Other table saws may have a knob or screw that adjusts the height, or a small wheel somewhere along the fence.
Step 2: Determine your split line
Your split line is where youll make your initial cut with the bandsaw to divide your board into two thinner boards. This is important to mark on both sides of your lumber so that you can cut safely. If you dont do so, and something goes wrong mid-cut, such as your bandsaw kicking back, then theres a chance that one of those pieces might fly off and hit someone in the face. This would be a terrible idea! It is best to mark the cut on both sides. You can then remove the lines once you have finished cutting.
In this instance, I chose to have the thickness of 5 cm at its deepest point. My split line will be 1-11/41 cm. I measured both sides, marked them on each side, and transferred them to the other side of the board (the End-Grain).
Step 3: Take your first cut at a table saw
We are now ready to resaw the wood! This is where we get to break out our trusty table saw. They are easy to use and affordable, making them a great choice for beginners. Begin by cutting about halfway across the board at the split line. If you didnt already mark this line on both sides of the board, do so now.
Step 4: Turn your stock upside down and make a second cut
Once you have cut off one side of the board, it is time to flip it and start cutting from the opposite side. It can be tricky as some boards have rounded edges that make it harder to hold onto when you flip them. However, Ive found that if you use a scrap piece of wood underneath on the underside as an additional handle, this provides more stability and leverage during the flip. You can also use a pair of locking pliers for grip strength as well if needed. So with whatever method you choose, place this newly-cut side next to your blade in order to continue making cuts until all four sides are cut in half. You should now have two boards of the same thickness (5.5 cm).
Step 5: Mark your last cuts
To keep my final cuts clean and free of any sawdust or wood shavings, I prefer to do this without the bandsaw blade. These can be done with a handsaw or a miter box, but be careful! The original split line you traced at the beginning of the process should be aligned with your blade. This will ensure that you cut through both halves your stock thickness. You will have four boards that are the same width as each other but with different lengths, since they were initially 5 cm thick.
FAQs:
What is a Zero Clearance Insert?
Zero clearance inserts are a piece or wood that fits into the opening of your table saw and is just above the blade. This ensures that no material gets caught between the insert and stock when you cut. It passes through the saw without snagging. You can choose the one that best suits your make and model.
What are the benefits of using a zero clearance insert?
A zero clearance insert can be a great option for your table saw. The biggest pro would be safe since the material doesnt get caught under there-when it comes to ripping wood, this is a serious concern. Another benefit is that by protecting the blade from being exposed to your stock, itll help keep the blade sharper longer because it isnt getting dulled as easily.
It cleans up after each cut. Since the blade isnt exposed, you dont have to worry about sawdust and shavings getting caught between it and your stock-they just fall into the opening and out of your way as you work. This allows for a much cleaner cut.
Do I have to purchase a zero clearance insert or not?
You can choose. Some people prefer the traditional method of cutting-which is basically placing your stock directly on top of the saw blade. This allows for more control over each cut, but because it doesnt protect the blade from exposure, it could also lead to increased chances of injury. A table saw is a great tool for woodworking if you aren’t experienced.
Do you have to use the same type of blade for resawing?
No, you dont. Resawing doesnt require such a large (or aggressive) blade-like ripping does. Thats because all were doing is making extremely thin slices aboard. You can use a crosscut blade, combination blade or high tooth count, rip blade to make clean cuts in your stock.
What is the difference between resawing and ripping?
The main difference is the thickness of the stock-most woodworkers do resawing when they want to split that into two thinner pieces. Ripping is a process that reduces the length of a single piece of wood.
Safety Tips When Using A Table Saw For Resawing Wood:
Keep proper footing. Be sure to keep both feet firmly planted while working with your saw-shifting your weight while youre working can lead to an accident and/or loss of control.
Keep pets and children away Dont let children or animals get anywhere near your table saw while youre working.
-Tie up your hair and wear appropriate clothing. You dont want to get caught on anything, so keep your hair and loose clothing away from the saw.
-Keep fingers and thumbs out of the way. Do not place your hands in the path of the blade. It can travel very fast so be careful.
-Always use the guard. This is another safety feature you should use. If you don’t, it won’t take long to get severely hurt.
-Dont use blades with chips or tears in them. If your blade is damaged or chipped, you should immediately stop using it and have it replaced as soon as possible.
