People seem to hate how I resaw boards when I make my woodworking projects. I cut them in an usual way and it drives people nuts! Why do I resaw lumber in a weird way? Why don’t I do it like 99% of other woodworkers? This video answers these questions and more.

If you don’t know what resawing is, it’s standing a board on edge and cutting down its length. Probably the two most common reasons woodworkers do this is to make matched boards, meaning, cut a board in half and splay it out so the grain mirrors on each side. The other reason is simply making your own thin boards or veneer.

Get extra perks and help to support this channel by joining the Superhero Community:   / newtonmakes  

Unless I’m resawing a really small piece or have a special project need, I’ll almost always use the table saw first to resaw my lumber, not the bandsaw. I place a jig over my table saw fence. This gives me a tall surface area so my workpiece is stable. I set the thickness of my workpieces by measuring from the blade to the fence. A table saw blade is ridged so I don’t have to worry about blade drift. Next, I set the blade height to just under half of the width of the board. I place the board against the fence and clamp a feather board in place so it keeps my workpiece secure and tight to the fence. Then, I make a cut. I push the board all the way through the blade and turn off the saw. After the one side is cut, I flip the board over and cut the other side. In total, it takes literally seconds to cut both sides. Afterwards, I go the bandsaw and quickly buzz the tiny piece left over in the middle. I can resaw a board completely using the table saw, but I find it safer to use the bandsaw to finish up that middle spot.

Here are some pros and cons:
• Speed: Resawing at the bandsaw is slow and I make a lot of curved cuts. That means I’m spending longer resawing boards, and then even longer by changing to thinner blades for cutting curves in boards.
• Accuracy: For me, there’s bound to be blade drift when I resaw on a band saw. The cut isn’t exactly the thickness I want.
• Cleanup: Bandsaw blades do not leave the cleanest cuts and leaves many more saw marks that I have to plane or sand away. The table saw leaves me which a tiny sliver in the middle, which is no big deal.
• Safety: The band saw is much safer for resawing. Again, THE BAND SAW IS MUCH SAFER FOR RESAWING! Use the method most comfortable for you.
• Dust collection: Bandsaw dust collection is awful.
• Material waste: The band saw usually does not waste as much wood. However, I often use a circular saw blade in the table saw, which is thinner. Add in blade drift and clean up work and the waste difference isn’t a huge amount.

YEP! I OWN A LAGUNA RESAW KING BLADE! But from my experience it doesn’t 100% address any of the cons I listed.

•• About NewtonMakes••
I’m Billy and I make fun things. Sometimes, it’s something I need like tool storage ideas. Other times it’s silly or nerdy stuff that I want to build. If you want to get ideas for making stuff, or just want to watch something entertaining then make sure you subscribe.

Like that sweet tshirt I was wearing? Check it out here: https://newtonmakes.com/merch'>https://newtonmakes.com/merch

•• My Links ••
Website: https://newtonmakes.com
Instagram:   / newtonmakes  
Facebook:   / newtonmakes  

Here’s a list of tools and materials that I used to make this project. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
•• Tools & Materials ••
My Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/newtonmakes
Table Saw: https://amzn.to/2RwQTJa
Bandsaw https://amzn.to/3168ElS
Feather board: https://amzn.to/31C7d3m
The BEST Circular saw blade: https://amzn.to/3ZStTpy
Laguna Resaw King bandsaw blade: https://amzn.to/46Guu0l