Cross-cut bandsaw sled

[Col Smith]

G'day all,

Have seen several threads for ripping logs on a bandsaw, but only a couple on cross-cutting logs.

Has anyone made a sled, or seen plans for one ?

Any advice would be appreciated

Col

[Tai Fu]

A bandsaw just isn't ideal for crosscutting... you're limited by throat length for one thing... Unless you have a 30" bandsaw or something.

[Prashun Patel]

I would be wary if cross cutting logs on a bandsaw. The blade will try very hard to roll the log which can be very dangerous and can mangle your blade. I much prefer a chainsaw for this.

whereas a cross cutting sked on a tablesaw has a high fence to connect decks on both sides. Of the blade, no such fence could be constructed on a bandsaw because the blade goes too high.

[Erik Loza]

Agree with Tai and with Prashun: It can be sketchy and is really not the right job for a bandsaw, unless it were a huge one and even then...

My colleague Sam, who uses bandsaws for everything, has one of his MM24's set up with a crosscut fence so that he can use it like a chop saw (flip stops), but that is just for lumber and so on, not huge stuff. A chainsaw would really be the better tool on logs.

Best,

Erik Loza
Minimax USA

[Col Smith]

Thanks guys. Although my bandsaw will take 17' logs I only intend to cross-cut up to 6' logs max.
The bandsaw is an antique, with a cast iron base, had to get a block & tackle to get it off my trailer.

Col

[Rick Potter]

If I understand what you are thinking of, I would suggest a sled that rides in the miter gage, and has a V shaped holder, with screws you could put into the log to keep it from turning?? The hard part is if you wanted more than one slice to match others. Perhaps a two layer bottom, with one layer that would slide sideways. You could get a couple cuts out of it that way.

If I am way off base, consider what you paid for my answer ;).

Rick Potter

[Michael Peet]

I recall an old thread in which Creeker Mark Singer made one:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?43101-12-foot-Wenge-dining-table&p=438268#post438268

Mike

[John Schweikert]

I'm assuming you meant inches and not feet.


Thanks guys. Although my bandsaw will take 17' logs I only intend to cross-cut up to 6' logs max.
The bandsaw is an antique, with a cast iron base, had to get a block & tackle to get it off my trailer.

Col