Replies

1. 
   Don01 | Sep 10, 2008 06:22am | #1

   Jack,
   I haven't read Bird's book, but highly recommend Michael Fortune's article in FWW 173 "5 Tips for Better Bandsawing"
   this article is available online if you are a subscriber to the service. Everything you need to know.

   Don

2. 
   pzaxtl | Sep 10, 2008 06:28am | #2

   I own it.  Very good book -- will tell you everything you need to know.  However, it may also cause you to long for a bigger saw -- it did me.

1. 
   user-172496 | Sep 10, 2008 03:03pm | #3

   Hello pzaxtl !  I don' t need the book to feel that way as I already looking at The Jet JWBS-18QT, 18" bandsawW/QT1-3/4 HP but I under stand that the motor is a little under sized. But as I said before I am looking. as Money is tightand I am long time retired. I have a 10"cabinet saw and a 6" jointer which I love, so thats why I am looking at the jet.

   Jack

    

1. 
   Jimurock | Sep 10, 2008 04:30pm | #6

   I have the book, and it has a lot of good information.  However, Bird belongs to the "more tension is better" school of tuning.  I agree with the poster who recommended Michael Fortune's method, which has worked much better for me.

   Jim

   If you buy the magazine you may already have the article -- #173.

   Edited 9/10/2008 11:10 am ET by Jimurock

1. 
   Don01 | Sep 10, 2008 08:07pm | #8

   Jim,
   That article saved my bandsaw. So simple. It could be a part of every setup manual.
   I also agree on blade tensioning. It is the realm of the blade manufacturer alone.
   The saw manufacturer should test and indicate the maximum tension the machine can handle so you do not go out and buy a blade that will collapse the frame when properly tensioned.
   If you use the saw enough, i wll tell you when the tension is not right.Don

3. 
   RickL | Sep 10, 2008 03:38pm | #4

   Loonie!!!  Haven't read his book. Duginske's book is spot on. Can't imagine Lonnie could add anything to it. Will peruse Lonnie's next time I go to the big box book store.

4. 
   docrx | Sep 10, 2008 04:21pm | #5

   Sparky,

   I bought the book after I bought my bandsaw that I told you about.  I was lucky in that my saw worked great right out of the box so I didn't have to tune it to much, but the book is very well written and has a lot of tuning info, at least for a beginner like me.  I bought it based on other knots posts and also because of the reviews on amazon.

   Tony

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Sep 10, 2008 05:46pm | #7

   Lonnie Bird's book is excellent as is the new one by Mark Duginske. I use both for teaching. Get either one and you will learn a lot about your saw.

   Howie.........