Band Saw Safety
Twelve tips to help make working with your band saw safer
1. Make all adjustments while the saw is at rest. Set the saw guide so that it is about 1/4″ above the work.
2. People who might be watching the work should not be allowed to stand at the right of the saw. In case of a broken blade this is the only direction in which the blade can escape the guards covering the wheels.
3. Avoid backing out of a cut as you may pull the blade off the wheels. Turn and saw out through the waste wood, or stop the machine.
4. Do not saw cylindrical stock, as it may roll as the saw bites into the wood.
5. Pieces to be cut should always lie flat on the table.
6. A rhythmic click with impact on the wood may indicate a cracked blade. Cut the switch, and stand back until the saw stops, then inspect for breaks.
7. If the blade breaks, shut off the power and stay away until the coasting wheels stop. Do not attempt to handle any part of the blade while the wheels are still in motion.
8. Do not operate with the arm or fingers across the line of the saw.
9. Use a narrow blade for a short radius and wider blades for heavier work.
10. If help is required to handle a long board, the help should be instructed to support the weight only. The operator does all the pushing and guiding of the work.
11. Never pull work through the saw.
12. Always wear gloves when handling a saw blade. Carving gloves work well.
Bandsaw Repairs
The “tires” on bandsaw wheels can be critical for proper tracking. Have you changed them in recent years? There should be a slight crown to the tire which draws the blade toward the center of the crown. If you back off all the blade guides (side blocks, backing wheels) so that there is no contact with the blade, the blade should track near the center of both wheels. If not, you have an alignment problem. If the blade tracks okay, you may need to adjust the guides better.
The tires should fit snuggly on the wheels. Mine wore out a couple of months ago and I couldn’t keep the blades or tires properly on the wheels. Start by loosening the blocks or guides that contact the sides of the blade. Should be a pair for the top and a pair for the bottom. Then there is a bearing that is behind the blade on top and one on the bottom. Loosen all these and then place the blade back on the wheels and tighten it up just enough to keep it in place., The top wheel should have an adjustment on the side, that moves the bottom of that wheel in/out which is what adjusts the tracking of the blade. Moving the bottom of that wheel in one direction should make the blade move toward the inside of the wheel and vice versa. Turn the wheels by hand until you can get it to ride in the center. then try it momentarily with the power on and see if it tracks ok. If all that works, then you can start by tightening the blade until it doesn’t flutter. Then you adjust the different blocks/bearings so that the blade tracks properly through the cuts. If you still can’t get it to track properly, then check and see if there is any damage to the mountings for the wheels. It is recommended to release tension on the blades when they are not being used. Leaving them under tension can cause tires to get out of round and even broke one of the castings holding my upper wheel in place! Hope this helps!
One would think the start would be to open the cover (as you did to change the blade), then place a straight edge (yard stick?) across the edges of the wheels. Maybe not! I just did that on my 12″ Craftsman (that presently tracks fine). and the wheels are NOT aligned. So much for logic! Somewhere (perhaps on the back side) is a screw that adjusts to camber (the angle of the upper wheel relative to the machine). I would start by adjusting the camber until the blade will stay on while turning the wheels by hand. Then try power and adjust the camber until the blade tracks near the center of the upper wheel. All guides should be out of the way during this process.
The camber adjustment for the upper wheel is a setscrew with locknut in the hub. Loosen the locknut with a wrench, then you can turn the setscrew to change the camber of the wheel. When it tracks fairly well, tighten the locknut.
Reader’s Comments
My good friend, Connie Teeters wrote to let everyone know about the show her carving club is holding this month:
“I do love wood chip chatter. Would like to let you all know that Friends Carving Club in Port Orange Florida is having a show on January the 12th. 2025. Come and join us.
Connie Teeters”
Thank you, Connie! Best of luck with the show!
Photo Shop
“Photo Shop” is the section of Wood Chip Chatter where carvers can send photos of their wood carvings for display. It’s your chance to show off your work…sort of a show and tell. The photos will only be displayed, and no comments or critiques will be made. For critiques on your carvings, send them to the “Carver’s Corner.” Send your photos to carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com
My friend, Jim Wiggins sent in a photo of a carving he calls “Cats Christmas.”
Thank you for the photo, Jim! Very well done carving.
My good friend, Jim Babcock from Columbus, Indiana sent in two photos of a wizard he recently carved:
“Bob:
Best wishes for the new year. Attached is a recent carving of a wizard; northern basswood, finished in walnut oil and acrylics.
Jim Babcock
Columbus, Indiana”
Very nice work, Jim! Thanks for sharing!
Woodcarving Tip
Join a Carving Club
Joining a wood carving club is one of the best and quickest way to advance your carving skills. Just by associating with other wood carvers and watching what they do you will gain a wealth of knowledge. Ask questions and see how other carvers solve the same problems you may be up against. Share your wood carvings with other members of the club. Their feedback will be invaluable. Wood carvers are always willing to help other wood carvers. To find a club start by Googling “wood carving clubs in your area.”
Joining club Zoom meetings is another great way to pick up tips and tricks of the trade. Many wood carving clubs are now conducting club Zoom meetings which are usually open to anyone who wants to join in (you don’t have to be a club member). The Lancaster County Wood Carvers conduct such a Zoom meeting on the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm EST (Zoom: 417-966-8402) . Probably the largest one is the International Association of Wood Carvers Zoom meeting held every Saturday at 3pm EST (Zoom: 310-460-3575). I highly recommend looking into both of these meetings. They are particularly advantageous because you never have to leave your home to attend the meeting.
Join a wood carving forum. Forums are yet other useful sources to socialize with other carvers and pick up wood carving information. Forums are ongoing conversations with some very knowledgeable carvers about anything wood carving related you want to discuss. A good one to join is the Woodcarving Illustrated forum which you can access by just going to www.woodcarvingillustrated.com and searching “Forums.” Highly recommended.
Pattern of the Month
Upcoming Workshops & Seminars
Raccoon With Leaf
Teacher: Janet Cordell
Dates: January 6,10,13,17,20,24 2025
Times: 2-4 p.m. Pacific Time // 3-5 p.m. Mountain Time // 4-6 p.m. Central Time // 5-7 p.m. Eastern Time
12 hours ( 6 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
to sign up contact Janet Cordell janet_cordell@yahoo.com
Pondering
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
January 7,21 – 6PM Eastern
Twiitling Tuesday – 4 hours ( 2 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
2.5×2.5×7.25 basswood block needed for pattern
For details and to sign up click on Dwayne’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/
Woodcarve Handsome Hunks and Hotties
Teacher: Ryan Olsen
Dates: January 11,12,18,19 (PM Sessions) 2025
Time: Sat, Sun – 1:30pm-3:30 Pacific /3:30pm-05:30pm Central / 4:30pm – 6:30pm Eastern
8 hours ( 4 sessions – 2 hours each day)
To sign up Contact Ryan Olsen ryanscaricatures@gmail.com
Shorties
Teacher: Dale Green
Dates: February 1,2,8,9 2025
Saturday & Sunday both weekends 9:30 am-11:30 Pacific / 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Mountain /
11:30 am- 1:30 pm Central / 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
8 hours ( 4 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
Contact Dale: dalecarves@gmail.com
Tony
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
Feb 4,18 – 6PM Eastern
Twiitling Tuesday – 4 hours ( 2 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
2.5×3.5×7.25 basswood block needed for pattern
For details and to sign up click on Dwayne’s website https://www.dgosnellwoodcarving.com/
Cowboy with Bottle
Teacher: Dave Stetson
Dates: March 1,2,8,9,15,16 2025
Times: Sat, Sun – 9:30am-11:30 Pacific /11:30am-01:30pm Central / 12:30pm – 2:30pm Eastern
12 hours (6 sessions – 2 hours each day)
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
For details and to sign up email Dave lcnmichele@aol.com
Online Classes With Chris Hammack
Teacher: Chris Hammack
Chris Hammack is offering a new series of online classes to help students learn and sharpen their woodcarving skills. Individual and Group Classes are available through his web site chrishammackart.com/groupclass
Twhitling Tuesdays
Teacher: Dwayne Gosnell
Dates: Two – 2 hour classes each month on Tuesdays
Location: Online (Via Zoom)
To sign up contact Dwayne Gosnell via email dagwood_76@gmail.com
Woodcarving Academy
Established in 2020, the Woodcarving Academy offers dozens of videos and seminars created by some of the country’s top level instructors. More videos are added regularly as they are created by the instructors.
With a paid subscription to the Woodcarving Academy you can view any videos you like for as many times as you like.
Subscription rates: Monthly = $19.95 Quarterly = $49.95 Annual = $139.95
There is even a Free level which allows you to tour the website and watch the sample videos and content, and receive email updates as new content becomes available.
Check out the Woodcarving Academy and learn with the masters right in the comfort of your own home! Go to: www.woodcarvingacademy.com or Email: support@woodcarvingacademy.com
News & Announcements
The Jersey Hills Wood Carvers (JHWC) club is a small but growing group of wood carvers sharing their time, knowledge and joy of woodcarving. The JHWC generally meets from 7:00 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of each month (when school is in session) at the Jefferson Township High School wood shop classroom.
Membership is “FREE” and open to anyone interested in woodcarving regardless of their ability.
JHWC’s Upcoming Meetings and Events
2025
January – 16th, 30th
February – 6th, 20th
March – 6th, 20th
April – 3rd, 24th
May – 1st, 15th, 29th
June – 5th
For more information contact:
Al Santucci alsantucci4@gmail.com President
Bill Brunner billbrunnerdesign@gmail.com newsletter/website editor
Or visit:
Website: https://www.jerseyhillswoodcarver.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/736479646821641/
AML Wood Carving Knives
AML Wood Carving Knives are handmade by Andy Loughlin in Monroe, New York.
Each blade is meticulously crafted from 1095 high-carbon steel, ensuring easy sharpening and long-lasting edge retention. The diverse exotic woods used for the handle styles are sourced from around the world, adding a touch of elegance to these knives. You can find these exceptional knives for auction on eBay under ‘AML Knives,’ with bidding usually starting at $22 and most knives selling for between $40 and $100.
Unpack your AML Wood Carving Knife and experience its razor-sharpness right out of the package. Each knife comes with a custom-made magnetic wooden sheath, a thoughtful addition at no extra cost.
I now own three AML Knives and can speak personally about their quality. These are not production knives. Each knife is handmade by Andy himself. The knives are sturdy, well made, and will stack up to any other knife on the market. These knives have quickly become quite popular and sell out fast, so check the site (“AML Carving Knives” on EBAY) often for availability.
Andy has recently begun making knives with handles made from exotic woods and colored epoxy, creating some stunning and unique handle designs. Below are examples of some knives currently available or which have recently sold:
Concerned
Reader’s contributions to Wood Chip Chatter are vital to making it the blog it is, and I can’t continue to maintain its high quality without your support. There are over 1,100 subscribers to Wood Chip Chatter, worldwide, yet I struggle every month to find content for its pages.
Your questions and comments help to keep this blog active and going! Effective discussions are one of the best ways to learn about the topics that interest you. Remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question. Plus we would all love to know about the unique tips, techniques, and products YOU use in your wood carving process.
More photo contributions are also needed for the “Carver’s Corner” and “Photo Shop” sections. My “Carver’s Corner” is a great way to get constructive critiques on your carvings so you can learn where to improve on your next ones, and I’m sure you all have some terrific carvings to share in my “Photo Shop” section. Photos of your carvings liven up the blog’s appearance and make it more interesting.
Please send your questions, comments, and photos to carverbobk@woodchipchatter.com. They are always greatly appreciated.
The next issue of Wood Chip Chatter will be posted on February 7, 2025.
Keep a sharp eye out for it.
Keep a sharp edge, and keep on carvin’!
Funny Bone
Wood Chip Chatter 