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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11To resaw lumber into thinner boards or veneers, prepare a flat reference face, choose either a pivoting guide or a drift-adjusted fence, and feed the stock steadily with the blade properly set up. A pivoting guide lets you steer along a marked line; a straight fence takes a test cut and adjustment, then supports a more repeatable feed. The right approach depends on whether steering flexibility or consistent thickness matters more for your project.
What resawing does—and why fence choice matters
Resawing is cutting a thick board into thinner boards or veneers on a bandsaw. It can create book-matched panels or stock at a custom thickness. The challenge is keeping the cut on course: blade drift is when the blade tracks at an angle instead of following the stock’s reference edge. A fence or guide helps manage that behavior, but neither method guarantees drift will disappear; the blade, saw setup, and stock all affect the cut.
Choose a pivoting guide or a drift-adjusted fence
| Approach | How it works | Best suited to | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-point or curved guide | The stock pivots against a guide while you steer it along a marked cut line. | Work where the operator needs to make steering corrections during the cut. | Steering can make slice thickness vary slightly, leaving more cleanup. A shop-made version can use available materials and the saw’s miter-gauge slot. |
| Drift-adjusted straight fence | A freehand test cut reveals the blade’s tracking angle; the fence is set to that angle so stock can be fed straight against it. | Work where consistent slice thickness matters, especially when little material is available for cleanup. | Requires a test cut and fence adjustment before resawing. |
Pivoting guide: steer to the line
A single-point fence or curved guide lets the board pivot so you can follow the cut line. A curved guide attached to a standard rip fence can provide lateral support while still allowing the stock to turn. WOOD Magazine describes a shop-made adjustable guide: mark the intended line along the stock’s top edge, adjust the guide’s center section until the blade aligns with the line, secure the guide parts, and fasten it in the miter-gauge slot. Its curved end lets you steer and correct as you cut. See WOOD Magazine’s resawing guide.
Straight fence: set it to the blade’s drift
Prepare straight stock, mark a line, and make a controlled freehand test cut along it. Watch the angle at which the blade tracks, then stop the saw and adjust the fence to match that angle. With the fence aligned, feed the stock straight against it rather than trying to force the blade to follow a mismatched fence. Fine Woodworking describes this test-cut-and-align method in its resaw setup guide.
#1 Best Overall
- Accuracy and Precision: A band saw fence allows you to make accurate and precise cuts consistently. The fence serves as a guide for your workpiece, ensuring that it remains parallel to the cutting path throughout the cutting process. This results in straight, uniform cuts, allowing you to achieve the desired dimensions and angles with greater ease.
- Easy and Quick Setup: Setting up the PROGRIP Straight Edge Guide Clamp is quick and straightforward. The clamp typically features a quick-release mechanism that allows for easy attachment and removal from the workpiece. The straight-edge guide is usually marked with measurements or ruler guides, enabling precise positioning and measurements. This ease of setup saves time and effort, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.
- Versatility: Band saw fences are often adjustable, allowing you to position them at different distances from the blade. This adjustability offers versatility in cutting various sizes of workpieces. Whether you need to cut thin veneers or thick stock, a band saw fence can accommodate different dimensions, providing support and control regardless of the material's thickness.
- Secure and Stable: Combining a band saw fence and the PRO GRIP Straight Edge Guide Clamp ensures a safe and stable cutting environment. The fence provides a secure guide, preventing material shifts and accidental slips while keeping hands away from the blade. The PROGRIP Clamp offers reliable stability, securely gripping the workpiece to minimize movement and potential inaccuracies.
- Feature: The PROGRIP Straight Edge Guide Clamp allows for slight angle adjustments during clamping. This feature is useful when your saw blade has a slight drift, as it enables you to keep your fence parallel to the saw blade.
Prepare the saw and stock
- Make stable reference surfaces. Dress at least one face so it bears flat against the fence, and ensure the edges that ride on the table are straight and square to that face. Uneven reference surfaces make the stock harder to control.
- Install and tension the blade according to the saw manual. Blade width and tooth style must suit both the saw’s capacity and the stock. WOOD Magazine’s guide recommends a 1/2- to 3/4-inch-wide skip-tooth or hook-tooth blade for its method, but that is not a universal specification. Check your machine’s manual and choose a compatible blade for the work.
- Set the blade guides for your machine. Fine Woodworking’s setup guidance places side guides just behind the blade gullets and close enough to support the blade without binding. Exact settings depend on the saw; use its manual.
- Check alignment and clearance. Where the cut requires it, make sure the table is square to the blade and the fence face is square to the table. Set the upper guide close to the workpiece, as recommended by the WoodWorkers Guild of America.
- Mark and configure your guide. Make the cut line clear. For a pivoting guide, align the guide with the line; for a straight fence, use the test cut to determine its angle before setting the fence.
Feed the stock with control
- Keep hands clear of the blade and keep the blade guarded. Follow the saw’s safety instructions.
- Feed steadily; do not force the stock through the blade. Excessive pressure can signal a dull blade. A wandering blade can bow and emerge from the side of the workpiece.
- Use a pushstick to complete the cut. When feeding against a fence, Woodcraft also recommends a pushblock to help hold the stock against it.
- When the final dimension allows, leave material for cleanup. Woodcraft recommends resawing at least 1/16 inch thicker than the desired finished panel thickness so planing can remove saw marks; treat this as a practical recommendation, not a universal tolerance.
For further setup detail, consult Woodcraft’s resawing techniques.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Common problems and adjustments
The blade will not follow a straight fence
Do not compensate by pushing harder. Recheck the stock’s reference face, blade condition and installation, and saw setup. If the blade tracks at an angle on a test cut, reset the fence to that observed angle or use a pivoting guide to steer along the marked line.
Rank #2
- PRECISION CONTROL FOR CLEAN CUTS: The 6-inch silicone featherboard for bandsaw applies consistent pressure along the workpiece before the blade, helping guide thin strips, resaw cuts, and varied material shapes while steadily dampening vibration.
- FAST MITER-SLOT SETUP: This BOW featherboard includes 15mm, 5/8-inch, and 3/4-inch miter cams for broad bandsaw compatibility. The sliding base fits tables with miter slots positioned 2 to 8 inches from the blade for flexible setup and placement.
- NON-MARRING SILICONE FEATHER: The flexible feather board grips flat, thin, or irregular workpieces without marking surfaces. It applies side and top pressure on smaller pieces, while the replaceable silicone feather helps absorb cutting vibration.
- BUILT FOR CONTROL AND SAFETY: GuidePRO positions the featherboard between your hands and the blade while holding material near the cut. The ergonomic handle and locking lever secure the guide so your hands can focus on feeding the workpiece.
- EXPANDABLE FOR MORE WOODWORKING TASKS: Pair GuidePRO with the Extension Kit or Anchor Bar for taller stock and repetitive feeds. The Anchor Bar also enables use as a featherboard for table saw or featherboard for router table workshop applications.
The slices vary in thickness
Check that the stock bears consistently against the fence and table. With a pivoting guide, frequent steering corrections can change thickness; use a drift-adjusted fence when repeatable thickness is the priority and the stock permits the setup.
The cut needs too much feed pressure
Stop and check the blade rather than forcing the cut. Woodcraft identifies excessive feed pressure as a possible sign of a dull blade; also verify that the blade and guides are set according to the saw manual.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Wide Compatibility: Fits POWERTEC BS900 9" band saw, most 9" bandsaws, including WEN, Ryobi, Delta, Craftsman, Harbor Freight, Central Machinery, and Black & Decker
- Stable & Secure: Square and solid fence ensures accuracy and safety
- Adjustable Length: Rotate the lock lever to adjust the fence's clamping range from 11-3/8” to 12”—turn counterclockwise to extend and clockwise to shorten
- Easy Locking Mechanism: Handy cam-lever allows hassle-free adjustments and firm placement
- Quick Setup: Unique rip fence design clamps directly to the table, providing stable support for straight, parallel cuts—no rails required
Rank #4
- UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY - Fits any band saw table up to 18" front to back. This bandsaw rip fence universal design ensures secure mounting across a wide range of saws, making re-sawing smoother, safer, and more precise.
- DUAL-PURPOSE FUNCTIONALITY - Functions as both a band saw fence and a drill press fence. The included adjustable stop block makes repetitive drilling fast, consistent, and hassle-free, saving time while improving accuracy.
- TRIPLE CAM LOCKING STABILITY - Equipped with a triple cam locking mechanism that delivers three levels of clamping force. This ensures a tight, wobble-free grip on your table surface—even during demanding cuts or repetitive drilling.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE DESIGN - Switch between tools or materials with ease. The adjustable configuration allows quick setup changes and fine-tuned alignment, giving you complete control over workpiece positioning.
- DURABLE ALUMINUM CONSTRUCTION - Built from premium aluminum, this band saw rip fence is lightweight yet rugged. It resists warping and corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance in both professional shops and home workshops.
Rank #3
- Premium Saw Accessory: Saw fence adjusts for perpendicularity with band saws, making them a precise cutting tool
- Accurate Workshop Accessories: This fence system adjusts to your 14-inch band saw blade's drift angle
- Precise Woodworking Tools: This table saw fence uses a precision lens cursor for accurate measurements
- Home Improvement Tools: Adjustable, low-profile saw fence also has T-slots for adding stops and re-saw guides
- Premium Kreg Tools: We offer products that help woodworkers close the gap between idea and outcome
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