For a predictable resaw cut, start with a sharp blade that fits your saw, set tracking and guides according to its manual, and account for the blade’s natural lead before committing to a full board. Make a test cut, steer to the marked line without forcing the stock, and use the safety and support procedures specified for your machine.
Choose a blade that suits the saw and the cut
Use a sharp bandsaw resaw blade appropriate to the stock and the cut you want. Check the saw manual for compatible blade length and width, along with the manufacturer’s tension specifications. Blade recommendations are not universal: the saw’s design and the blade maker’s guidance determine what is suitable.
For the adjustable guide featured in its resawing article, WOOD Magazine recommends a 1/2- to 3/4-inch-wide skip-tooth or hook-tooth blade. Treat that as a recommendation for that guide and setup, not a rule for every bandsaw. WOOD Magazine’s resawing guide describes how its curved guide end lets the operator steer the board along the blade’s path.
Set up the saw before aligning the fence
With the saw unplugged while making adjustments, install and tension the blade as its manual directs. Check that it tracks correctly on the wheels, then set the upper and lower guides close to the workpiece using the machine’s prescribed clearances and method. Avoid importing a numeric setting from another saw: guide designs and blade recommendations vary.
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- Milled teeth are 50 PERCENT SHARPER than competitors stamped or crush ground blades
- Precision Induction hardening throughout the blade vs competitors flame hardening
- Tooth edge is 20 PERCENT harder than any high carbon steel resulting in extended sharp time
- More ductile steel than any high carbon steel leads to extended flex life and a cooler running blade
Verify that the table is square as needed for the intended cut, and check the fence’s alignment. Dust collection and adequate outfeed support are also part of a thorough resaw setup. Woodcraft’s bandsaw setup guide covers blade installation and tracking, tension, guide bearings, and table and fence alignment. Fine Woodworking’s resaw overview also addresses blade choice, dust collection, marking slice order, and support for the workpiece.
Find the blade’s lead with a test cut
A fixed fence may not line up with the path a particular blade naturally follows. WOOD Magazine notes that few bandsaw blades track perfectly straight; trying to hold a board against a misaligned fence can pull the cut away from the intended line. Make a test cut in similar stock and observe how the blade travels before setting up the production cut.
Rank #2
- 93-1/2" long, 3/4" wide, 0.025" thick, 3 TPI bandsaw blades fits all 14" Delta/Rockwell, Jet, Rikon, Steel City, General, Ridgid, older Sears Craftsman, Grizzly, Bridgewood, Woodtek,etc. Check your owner’s manual for correct length.
- For hard or soft wood, plastic, mild steel and non-ferrous metal
- Quality: the band saw blade is made from premium Japan SK8 high grade carbon steel with heat resistance and weld, last longer
- Superior hardened and tempered material -stronger, precision ground tooth and faster cutting blade excellent performance
- Teeth specs: 3 TPI, the teeth are induction hardened, milled for true tracking. which allows for more precise hardness throughout the blade.
Use an adjustable fence or guide
Set a drift-aware fence or guide so the workpiece can follow the blade’s demonstrated path while staying on the marked line. The WOOD Magazine guide uses a curved end to let the operator steer the board. An adjustable resaw fence or a drift-bar accessory can serve as a setup aid, but neither is mandatory for every saw or cut.
Follow your model’s drift-bar procedure
Some machines provide a drift bar or a model-specific method for setting fence angle. The Grizzly G0513-series manual describes a drift bar that acts as a pivot point: its procedure includes marking a reference line, lowering the guides close to the stock, and aligning the fence and bar. Its positions and dimensions apply to that model’s instructions; do not transfer them to another saw without checking that saw’s manual. Grizzly G0513-series manual
Rank #3
- INCLUDES: (1) 93-1/2-Inch by 1/2-Inch by 6TPI , (1) 93-1/2-Inch by 1/8-Inch by 14-TPI , (1) 93-1/2 Inch by 1/4 Inch by 6TPI Wood bandsaw blade. Check your owner’s manual for correct length.
- For hard or soft wood, plastic.
- Band saw blade is made from premium Japan SK5 high grade carbon steel with heat resistance and weld, last longer
- Superior hardened and tempered material -stronger, precision ground tooth and faster cutting blade excellent performance
- Teeth specs: 6 TPI, 14 TPI, the teeth are induction hardened, milled for true tracking. which allows for more precise hardness throughout the blade.
Mark the cut and guide the board deliberately
- Mark your reference. Draw the intended cut line clearly on the stock. If making multiple slices, mark their order so you can keep track of the sequence, as covered in Fine Woodworking’s resaw overview.
- Set the fence for the tested blade path. Use the test cut to position a drift-aware fence or guide. Confirm that the setup gives you room to steer the board along the mark.
- Position the guards and supports. Set the blade guard and any required supports according to your saw’s manual. Support long or heavy stock where needed so it stays controlled through the cut.
- Feed steadily and steer to the line. Keep your hands clear of the blade and use suitable push devices for the cut. Guide the stock deliberately; do not force a wandering blade through the board.
Push sticks or push paddles help keep hands away from the blade. Roller stands can support long workpieces when appropriate. These are aids, not substitutes for the safe operating procedure in the manual for your specific saw. The Grizzly G0568/G0569 manual discusses checking setup and fence alignment, supporting board ends when needed, and using push paddles and a push stick; Protohaven’s resaw tutorial also covers guard height, push-stick use, and roller support for long cuts.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High silicon, low carbide steel
- Ideal for resawing thick stock
- Runs cooler and lasts longer
- Runs under low tension which requires less horsepower
- Thin kerf
Rank #4
- 13" RESAW CAPACITY FOR THICK STOCK - A 1.75 HP capacitor-run motor and 116" blade loop resaw material up to 13" tall in one pass, so you can slice thick slabs into bookmatched panels or veneer without a second machine.
- GROUND CAST-IRON TABLE, TILTS 0–45° RIGHT - The 360 sq. in. ground cast-iron table tilts 0–45° right on a diecast-and-steel trunnion for bevel cuts. An occasional coat of paste wax on the table keeps stock moving smoothly and helps prevent surface rust.
- BUILT FOR WOOD & BOARD - Engineered for hardwood, softwood, and manufactured board in home and small production wood shops; this is a woodworking band saw.
- 14" WHEELS, 1/8"–3/4" BLADE RANGE - Runs 116"-long blades from 1/8" wide for tight scroll cuts to 3/4" wide for fast resawing, with a 13-1/2" throat capacity and independently adjustable ball-bearing blade guides for precision.
- READY TO CUT, BACKED FOR 5 YEARS - Includes the band saw, steel stand, machined-aluminum resaw fence with easy-read scale, and hardware pack; saw blade is sold separately, and every unit is backed by JET’s 5-year warranty and parts support.
Check these points before the full cut
- The blade is sharp and its length, width, and tension are appropriate for the saw, according to the manufacturer.
- The blade tracks correctly, and the guides are set close to the workpiece using the saw’s specified method.
- The table and fence are aligned for the cut, with blade lead accounted for through a test cut.
- The reference line is visible, the workpiece can be steered without forcing it, and long or heavy stock is supported as needed.
- The guard, push devices, and other safety measures are set according to the saw’s manual.
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