Instructions:Laguna Bandsaw

Purpose

The band saw has a vertical blade. It is used for:

Ripping rough lumber that does not fit on the jointer
Cutting freehand curves (limited by the depth of the blade)
Resawing (cutting boards to different thicknesses)

The Laguna bandsaw is equipped with a carbide blade and can be used for resawing; the carbide blade must be de-tensioned after use to prevent warping.

Safety

Do:

Check that the fence is square if required
Make sure the blade on the large band saw is tensioned before use and de-tensioned after use
Lower the guard so it is close to the workpiece before starting
Ensure the blade is fully stopped before leaving the area
Check beside the blade for trapped debris when done

Do not:

Cut round workpieces without a sled or fixture
Attempt to change the blade without prior training
Let fingers come close to the blade - use a push stick if required, especially at the end of cuts
Leave the equipment while the blade is still moving - the band saw blade takes a long time to slow down without the brake
Use excessive force - let the blade do the work
Continue working if you notice sparks from the guard - you may be pressing too hard, or the guard guides may need to be adjusted

Emergency Stop

The band saw can be stopped by pressing the stop button and applying the foot brake (on the right side of the equipment).

Operating Procedure

Remove the clamp and tension sign from the blade.
Apply tension to the blade using the tension lever.
Set the blade guard to slightly above the height of the workpiece.
Set the fence if required - note that fence may not be square by default and may require shims. Consult trainer or manual for assistance.
Prepare any safety devices (featherboard, push blocks, sleds for round pieces etc)
Carefully feed the material through the saw, letting the blade do the work.

Shutdown and Housekeeping

Remove and store fixtures and safety devices
- Featherboards and push sticks are stored on the wood room peg board, and some with magnets on the top of the body of the band saw.
Wipe outside of saw (table, fence, handles) with a brush
Check dust collector tube for debris/clogs
De-tension the blade and clamp the warning sign to it. The blade can be damaged if you do not de-tension it.
Sweep the floor around the band saw, miter saw, and table saw
Turn off the equipment and dust collector
Turn off the main exhaust if you are the last one in the room
- Turning off the exhaust will turn off all equipment in the room.