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So I just discovered that bandsaws do not cut straight as a rule. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve had one for almost 3 years and used if a few times but not often enough to have learned this on my own. I have noticed at times I seemed to struggle to make it follow the line but I thought it was just my poor habits and lack of technique. Today I really noticed it bad though and I was trying hard to cut straight and push my piece through parallel to the edge of the platform. I was cutting out a star pattern and noticed anytime I kept the scrap cutoff to the right of the blade I could follow the line easily. If it was to the left it was a chore to hold it on the line. Well I admit I’m very bad to just not set the depth adjustment to match the thickness of stock. But even after I did that it still didn’t help.
Just now a google search turned up an article saying no band saw cuts straight. They all drift either left or right. It seems mine drifts left of the line as I push wood through it. As for resawing wood I found instructions for making a fence to match the angle the blade cuts at. But how does anyone just cut a pattern out freehand without a constant struggle? I feel like I’m twisting my blade (I literally am!).
Just now a google search turned up an article saying no band saw cuts straight. They all drift either left or right. It seems mine drifts left of the line as I push wood through it. As for resawing wood I found instructions for making a fence to match the angle the blade cuts at. But how does anyone just cut a pattern out freehand without a constant struggle? I feel like I’m twisting my blade (I literally am!).