Finally figured out my band saw was cutting crooked because I was pushing too hard

I've been woodworking as a side hobby for maybe 4 years now. Every time I tried to cut curves on my 14 inch band saw the blade would drift like crazy and I'd end up with these jagged edges that needed tons of sanding. I just figured that's how band saws work you know? Then last Tuesday I stopped by a community workshop in Portland and this older guy watched me for maybe 2 seconds before saying hey you're shoving the wood through like it owes you money. He showed me to let the blade do the work and feed at like half the speed. I cut a test piece and it came out smooth as butter. All those years I was fighting the machine instead of working with it. Has anyone else had a moment where a tiny adjustment fixed something you thought was just broken?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylorb944d ago

That older guy at the workshop, was he just watching everyone or did he specifically come over to give you advice? Like did he see you struggling and decide to help out?

nora_park724d ago

Agree totally, that is exactly what happened with me. I was at this woodworking seminar last year, totally lost on how to cut dovetails by hand, and this older guy just walked over from his bench. He didn't say a word at first, just watched me for like a minute, then he grabbed my chisel and showed me this trick with the angle. I swear he just had that sixth sense for when someone was about to give up. It's like they can smell the frustration on you or something, I don't know.