Holding round wood for bandsawing

[heronviewer]

I have some small half round lengths of yew I want to band saw into thin planks. The lengths have very uneven edges and I would like some idea of how to hold them on edge to put through a small bandsaw - a Kity 612.

I don't think hand holding would be a good idea, but can't think of how to arrange a clamp of some kind.

Any ideas gratefully received !

 

[George_N]

A bandsaw rip sled like this would do the job. Not too difficult to knock together.

 

[tnimble]

A V block would most probably do the trick.

Somethng like:

The one above is for accurate metal milling work. A similar wooden one can be shop made very easily. The clamp(s) are not mandatory but can be very handy to firmly clamp down the pice.

 

[heronviewer]

Thank you very much !

I think the sledge would be the answer.

 

[Jeff Gorman]

You might be able to modify the design of the Billet Sled in the current issud of Good Woodworking )Issue 199)

 

[heronviewer]

I'll look out for that magazine. I'm not familiar with it - I get "Fine Woodworking" nowadays.

Thanks.

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Robert,

When I tackle soemthing like this I tend to attach the log with a power planer to give it a flat(ish) surface, then just cut freehand on the bandsaw.

Cheers,

Dod

 

[heronviewer]

Thanks ! I've got the one face reasonably flat. I think the sledge is the best way to go.

Just need to get the parts to make it now.

Robert.

 

[dickm]

I've wondered about making a sled like that one, but have generally done like WD and planed one surface before cutting by eye. I guess the sled would be more versatile, but it does depend on having a blade that cuts parallel to the mitre slot. And perhaps more importantly, continues to cut parallel after it has found that embedded stone/nail/bullet in the billet

At least when cutting by eye, you can allow for wander.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Robert.
I made this sled very quickly last Xmas when i too had to cut some Yew down to make a pen and pencil case.
This will only work though if you have a mitre gauge slot.
I just cut a piece of 1/2" ply for the base,a piece of Oak to fit in the mitre gauge slot,and 2 pieces of Pine to make the fence.
I then drilled 2 holes in the Pine sub base to fix to the 1/2" ply,which was moved to give me the thicknesses required,and a series of holes at different heights and widths on the fence,to fix the log to by using 2 screws.The length of screw will depend on how close the log will fit to the fence.
I suppose it could be made better and more accurate but it done what i wanted it to at the time.The piece of log on the sled is all that was left after cutting it down.
HTH.

 

[heronviewer]

Thanks for the comments. All interesting.

I have a slot on the table and the saw does cut parallel to it, so that's OK.

Not too sure about the buried objects - maybe I should run a metal detector over it, but that won't find stones or lead.

I'm going to build Brady's sledge - I think it will be long lasting and give quite fine adjustment. Apart from the yew, I've got several other pieces stashed away - all well seasoned now too. So it will be used for small stuff.