Segmenting questions

[JakePWM]

Hello,

What are most of you using to cutdown the wood into the patterns you make? I have an older 10inch craftsman table saw but I feel like I'm destined to lose a finger or two trying to get the wood thin enough.

Should I look into a bandsaw? Or are there better options?

Thanks,

Jake


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[mark james]

Hi Jake, I have cut thin slices on a Craftsman Table Saw, a Bosch Contractors Table Saw and a Byrnes Model Makers Table saw. Each, can work - how you construct your sleds will be important. Zero tolerance inserts are also important depending on the sizes of your pieces.

These are just a few thoughts to get you started. I know others will chime in and will have excellent suggestions. Many ways to get to the same result, and knowing how to use what you have available is vital for safety.

 

[leehljp]

When the fear of losing a digit is the number one criteria of a person, then the bandsaw seems to be the saw of choice - but it too can cut off a digit just as quickly. Bandsaws do not have the kickback that circular motion saws have.

For those who have considerable experience and are totally focused on where their fingers are at all times, a table saw with sled is the saw of choice. When cutting smaller parts and segments, smoothness becomes an issue and a TS is a requirement.

Look for a thin kerf blade and make a sled. Sleds with hold downs take some of the danger out.

Several years ago, I made my own Byrnes type of saw from a circular saw and made a sled within a sled in which I could cut to better than .01 accuracy repeatedly.

Circular saws/Table saws such as Byrnes is necessary when making laminates as BS will make smooth cuts but in laminates, the grain cut will show up. Thickness sanders can sand the cut marks out but that becomes much more work.



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[jttheclockman]

Hello,

What are most of you using to cutdown the wood into the patterns you make? I have an older 10inch craftsman table saw but I feel like I'm destined to lose a finger or two trying to get the wood thin enough.

Should I look into a bandsaw? Or are there better options?

Thanks,

Jake


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You ask the question of what are you using to do segmenting work. Well I have a shop full of tools and know how to use them safely and efficiently and each tool can play a roll in my rendition of segmenting pen blanks because that is what it seems we are talking about. I have no fear of my tools but do respect them and use all safety measure that I feel necessary to get an operation done. These methods suit my needs and comfort levels.

My point here everyone is different and everyone has certain tools to work with in their shop. Everyone has a different comfort level of using these tools. So no one person can tell you what tool to use. We make suggestions but again it is what we do and use.

Basically the 2 tools to cut and slice wood for segmenting is a tablesaw or bandsaw. The bandsaw if more about saving material because of the thinner blade. All tools in a shop can and will hurt you if not properly used. The adapting of sleds to do some of the procedures is always a good thing if constructed well and thought out. They will help keep the fingers and hands further away from the blades and can make cuts much more accurate. If you have good blades and keep sharp you can probably get away with out doing alot of sanding. They do have many companies that sell all dimensions of woods and other materials so that maybe an option. All tools need to be tuned properly to give them maximum use.

I can not give you a specific tool because I use them all. Now if you have more direct questions on how to do something I would be able to help you more. Good luck and work safely.

 

[JakePWM]

Thank you all for the feedback. I supposed my question should of been "how do you use a table saw safely to make thin accurate cuts" in which case it seems that a sled is best. I will do some looking into those. My primary concern with the table saw is that it hasn't been taken care of very well over the years and could use some TLC and a new blade.


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[jttheclockman]

Thank you all for the feedback. I supposed my question should of been "how do you use a table saw safely to make thin accurate cuts" in which case it seems that a sled is best. I will do some looking into those. My primary concern with the table saw is that it hasn't been taken care of very well over the years and could use some TLC and a new blade.


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That is the start of things. Get it back to shape and get yourself a nice Freud thin kerf 60 tooth blade and dive in. There are so many examples of good looking and good working sleds on the net. Everyone tweaks them just enough to suit their needs but bottom line is hold down clamps and tall enough fence to keep the fingers away from the blade. I use my tablesaw almost every day I am working in the shop and would be lost if I did not have one. My switch just went on me yesterday so I need to replace that after over 30 years of use.

 

[leehljp]

John T gave some good advice above.

If you don't use your TS for other things that much, check and see if your saw can hold a 7 1/4 inch blade. As long as you can get an inch depth of cut out it, you can find some 7 1/4 in blades with 1/16" kerf blades that are great for blank segments.

Freud makes a 5/64 kerf blade 8 inches in diameter.

If kerf thickness is not a problem Freud makes a 10 inch 3/32 kerf 10" blade.

 

[Fred Bruche]

From experience, I don't see any major issue using a good quality miter box and hand saw for segmenting pen blanks. Sure, it might take a few seconds longer to make the cut but I'm not in that much rush usually. Very thin kerf is an advantage too. And the fear level pretty low :tongue:

 

[JakePWM]

I understand the benefit of getting a blade with a higher tooth count.

Does kerf only matter in regards to how much wood is wasted from the cut? Or would there be another reason that I am unaware of where a thinner kerf would be beneficial?

I appreciate all the information, this forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me


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[greenacres2]

I understand the benefit of getting a blade with a higher tooth count.

Does kerf only matter in regards to how much wood is wasted from the cut? Or would there be another reason that I am unaware of where a thinner kerf would be beneficial?

I appreciate all the information, this forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me


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Most of my segmenting is Celtic knots, where I cut most of the way through the blank to insert the knot pieces. Using a 1/16" kerf 7 1/4" blade in my table saw allows me to use finer material to make the knot.
earl

 

[jttheclockman]

I understand the benefit of getting a blade with a higher tooth count.

Does kerf only matter in regards to how much wood is wasted from the cut? Or would there be another reason that I am unaware of where a thinner kerf would be beneficial?

I appreciate all the information, this forum has been a wealth of knowledge for me


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If you have a smaller saw thin kerf will help the HP rating. Takes less power to turn a thinner blade. Being you are cutting less material with the blade will help also. Just remember if you use a sled than those 7" blades may hamper you in thickness able to cut. Unless the base is less than 3/4"

 

[Woodchipper]

Using a 1/16" kerf 7 1/4" blade in my table saw allows me to use finer material to make the knot.

What brand and where to get it? Getting up enough nerve to try segmenting.

 

[greenacres2]

Using a 1/16" kerf 7 1/4" blade in my table saw allows me to use finer material to make the knot.

What brand and where to get it? Getting up enough nerve to try segmenting.

I misstated the kerf, it's actually .087. The blade I'm using is Popular Tools from Carbide Processors out in Washington state. Tom Walz is a bit of a carbide nerd, they do a lot of custom work and have a very loyal following. Their "house brand" is called World's Best, and unlike most house brands they're probably the best they have. He's got a few Oshluns that are thinner, and then they have some ultra-thin trim blades (like .055") that require a stabilizer and a call before ordering. Nice little blade boutique--if you want something specific, not a problem (as long as money and time are not problems!!)
earl

 

[Woodchipper]

Hmm. I'll check some Woodcraft and some other online suppliers. Thanks for the info. I think Forrest makes a thin kerf blade.

 

[leehljp]

Using a 1/16" kerf 7 1/4" blade in my table saw allows me to use finer material to make the knot.

What brand and where to get it? Getting up enough nerve to try segmenting.

Frued makes a 1/16 kerf Diablo 7 1/4" blade.

I looked on amazon and the one I thought was 1/16 is actually a tad less than 1/16.

https://www.amazon.com/Freud-D0740A..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=JC41SKC1WGSB9BCGRYXN

That one above has a kerf of .059 - while 1/16" is .0625 . . . a difference of .0035

 

[jttheclockman]

Freud makes a good line of blades and do not break the budget. I would be careful about going too thin if doing segmenting work such as knots. Have the contrast looks better when it is thicker. I see the razor thin segmenting and not really impressed with that look. 3/32" is a nice size.

 

[vmsherp]

Like you, I had a thirty year old craftsman table saw. I gave her a tuneup, built a segmenting sled and made a zero clearance insert. I mostly use a Diablo .059 7.25" blade. That width is perfect for inserting three layers of .020 material such as plastics or aluminum. The sled has fixed angles most commonly used for segmenting, and I use the 90 for cutting blanks to length as well. A variety of stops and clamps are used for different things, the common denominator there being keeping my fingers out of harms way. One other tip: clean the saw surfaces to perfection and spray with glidecoat or similar so everything travels smoothly. It makes a huge difference.


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