First homemade bandsaw: Things learned

Going back over my first homemade bandsaw (built in 2010). This was the first bandsaw I built, and I learned quite a bit in the process.
woodgears.ca/bandsaw/build.html

[@IH1940HAY]

Mathias, I’ll soon be 82 and have enjoyed you well designed and thought through products for many years. Your approach to a design through true engineering and innovation as well as explaining many of these aspects in real layman’s terms has always made me feel so good about your products. As a diy woodworker I just want to thank you. And look forward to your videos in the future. Hager

[@JeremyBuehlerJWB]

I'm glad that guy at the garage sale gave that saw to someone else. He unknowingly started the Wandel Bandsaw Dynasty.

[@michelevitarelli]

Jeremy Buehler I'm the guy that actually purchased the garage sale from you. Can I get a refund? It has severed my left hand.

[@joehunter692]

I find your comment very interesting. I kept thinking about it, and I realized that many products and companies were created this way. Oracle, WhatsApp, Dell, and I am sure many others

[@matthewgarland693]

Jeremy Buehler I just got a 2nd job as a carpenter after one of my tutoring students cancelled on me with 2 hours notice and I was not allowed to charge her...I wrote a Craigslist posting that caught the eye of my new employer! if she hadn't cancelled I wouldn't have my great new job!

[@yertle38]

A friend of mine always leaves payment and takes a critical piece of the machine/item, so it can't be sold again. Not sure what you'd do for the bandsaw - maybe take the table with you and come back for the rest later.

yertle38 that’s really good advice that I never really thought about. I’m not sure how I’d feel as a seller though unless I got payment in full upfront, then go ahead, take whatever you want with you first.

[@MaxMakerChannel]

I am impressed by the motivation to build one bandsaw after the other. I am always happy that one project is done, so I can start a new one.

[@sasjadevries]

I always click 'like' on your videos before watching the video. Afterwards I never regret clicking "like".

[@NotonlyWood]

Holy crap! !!! That new bandsaw is huge

[@dfmackenzie]

Yeah, and that blade is serious business!!

[@AndrewFrink]

I really like this video, mainly as an engineer it's always more interesting to find out about issues with designs and how to correct them than to look at a design that "just works". You learn more that way. I was cringing when you said the back of the upper wheel was plywood, I could see it twisting coming. Nice solution with the brace.

[@Thom4123]

Nice update and walk through the bugs and how you fixed the issues

[@gsp0113]

Love these videos where you explain how you've revisited and revised your designs. Thanks!

[@Raptorialand]

I dont know why i watch your videos... i am not into building my own machines... but its so satisfying to watch how creative you are! Love it

[@michaelgorchov4488]

I really love to watch your videos. I once built a small stroke sander according to directions from Andy Marlow in Fine Woodworking magazine. I didn’t have the proper tools, but Marlow said he built the machine from discarded scraps back when the country was just crawling out of the Great Depression. He readily admitted his machine was crude, and that he solved the problems building it as they emerged. His attitude gave me the confidence to believe I could actually make a similar machine. I gave away the little stroke sander a long time ago, but I really missed it, and when I set up a new home shop last year in the basement I built myself a new one! Your videos also give me confidence to make things and especially to improvise solutions to problems. Keep it up!

[@SussBus]

Every detail, big or small that goes into your designs is pure genius! Well done sir!!!

[@gredangeo]

Great video Matthias. Nice to see some things learned. One of the key benefits of even making the saw.

[@pragmaticmansboots]

I love how you smile when you talk about what you wouldn't do again because it didn't work so well. another awesome video, Thanks

[@johnbouttell5827]

Clear, concise explanations of the whys and the wherefores of homemade bandsaws. Your explanations would make an excellent first-year mechanical engineering uni course.

[@averypogfrog]

Your videos are great. Your Canadian/German sensibility is such an interesting and satisfying mix. I think I could listen to you explain anything. Cheers.

[@Shvizzard]

do a spaceship

[@xl000]

Because he's smart. And funny too..

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

Build a metal drill from maple.

[@markgriz]

Maybe so but I've yet to see him do any emoji analysis

[@lexb]

wooden spaceshop?

[@ksnax]

Though I will likely not build a saw myself, I enjoy the engineering involved and the discovery of what works and doesn't. Thanks for all of the effort you put into these videos.

[@kmonnier]

Excellent simplification of the tension system! New saw is a beauty.

[@patrol681]

I never fail to find your videos fascinating Matthias! I am not able to use my woodworking tools very much anymore because of extremely debilitating Arthritis. I do however, get a great 'lift' from viewing your innovative machine building ventures, and have certainly something to look forward to in that respect. Thanks, Ed

[@EyeAmBatman]

That band saw with the milling blade is serious business... damn wish i had the balls to make something like that... Absolute genius!.. i stumbled on this channel about 5 years ago, got inspired and i acredit most of what i learned in woodworking from these vids.. Thanks for sharing Matthias.

[@nickbolhuis7467]

I love how you keep 'debugging' your original bandsaw. :) great work!

[@rickvanhooren548]

I am very impressed with the detail you put into explaining your work. I will purchase the plans for the big band saw soon. I have a crappy band saw now, an I think the one you built will be awesome to build and use. Thanks!

[@euartista]

Thank you for your story and thought process. Ingenuity at its best.

[@esotericsean]

Heh, I love how you call it "debugging" your tools. :)

[@sgsax]

I'm going to stop complaining about tools I don't have and figure out how to make them instead. Really enjoyed this series so far and learning about the design considerations.

[@terrainesteenkamp3850]

watching this video it has given me a few ideas thanks Matthias especially the pulley explanation helped a lot

[@BigFiveJack]

Fantastic presentation! So very encouraging!

[@TyrelHatfield]

love your channel. you continue to amaze and inspire.

[@GG-sw4ws]

This by far is my favorite channel on youtube!

[@joshualruby]

Marius solved the inner tube build up issue by having the wheel have an inset on the edge and having the tube cut to fit inside; thus the wheel terminates to the edge without any interruptions of the tube in the way. I am not sure if it caused other issues for him or not, but if it works it's a clever way of solving the intermittent cleaning issue.

[@JessCretney]

Thinking of building one of my own. These are very informative how-to videos. I have a 1.5HP variable speed drive that was found in the junk, and now I need a motor (3-phase), which I cannot afford. Oh what fun that would be!

[@rudikaap4255]

Man, your work is awesome! Great inspiration!

[@brenovsky]

Holy wood!! Very ingenious!! Great work!!

[@marcoabduarte]

every video I'm even more amazed

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Have a viewer contest and giveaway the old band saw. Then you will be free to build a new and improved band saw. Oh and thanks for another excellent video.

[@brothyr]

Canadian shipping is quite expensive for small to medium packages. I can't even begin to imagine what the cost would be for something so awkwardly big and excessively heavy.

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

Let the winner come pick it up. I gave away a Kwik-way boring machine with the qualification that it had to be picked up at my place. It was gone the next day.

[@urgamecshk]

Adam Rivera probably 250$ or so. Still cheaper then a new band saw from elsewhere

[@secretweaponevan]

But the liability...

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Love the update, very informative, thanks! 🤓👍🏼

[@GeneraleRus]

Also it seems that all the bandsaw you built are very reliable, so I guess is nice plus on building your own bandsaw and considering you always say "i build something when i have to deal with some kind of problem solving", the first bandsaw you built is the perfect example of solving a problem as it comes up

[@aserta]

One of the biggest boons in building your own tool, be it a band saw, or say a lathe, is that it accommodates, your needs, not the other way round. You make it to suit your requirements, not the other way, where you have to say "that will do". A tool can be its very best, yet, when it fails to be what you need it to be, within reason of course, it's just as bad as any other "bad" tool. Etc.

[@kaleoscreations8069]

Thank you for this informative video!! I’m trying to build out a business that needs to create a lot of thin end-grain boards, so I want a multi-blade bandsaw for quickly cutting 2-foot boards into many 0.25” thick pieces. I figure every additional blade divides the amount of time I need to spend cutting! This is a great start to my journey

[@matthiaswandel]

Just run the saw at 5000 fpm with a big motor, that cuts down the time too. Having two blades that need to run and track perfectly adds too much hassle. Or use a power feeder more than one saw so could feed one saw, then feed the other while the first one finished its cut.

[@kaleoscreations8069]

@@matthiaswandel thanks for your input! I see, getting multiple blades to track together would be the hard part… even if they’re attached to the same axles, I could see that being difficult and dangerous. I’ve seen power feeders for ripping boards all kinds of ways, but not for cross-cutting. My problem is not so much that each cut takes a long time (cross-cutting 4-8” wide boards), but the sheer amount of cuts to be made. I want something like those industrial multi-blade rip saws, but configured to work for cross-cutting, and ideally in a smaller form factor. Maybe oscillating saw blades would be the way to go, like a bunch of jigsaws lined up next to each other…

[@michelevitarelli]

great explanation. thanks for sharing your lessons learned.

[@Davidjones-xy1ls]

Great Video very informative and very creative. Keep Doing what you Do if it makes you Happy. Happy to support your channel.

[@aviatoremusica6789]

not even a second passed and this guy already said 9 words, gets straight to it everytime

[@baconsoda]

Very interesting. I will never do this but I love seeing how you did it. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@Growveguk]

Brendan, just watched your latest workshop update! How strange, it seems we are all like minded on here. Regarding not building one, I am watching with interest as I have been resawing solid walnut worktops all week to make a custom kitchen and christ I could have done with this bandsaw as I have to resaw on the Jet 250 SuperSlide! I takes ages with a 3.5" Rip capability either side.......

[@baconsoda]

Hi Andy, I think I have the same saw as you, a 10" Jet with a sliding table? By any chance have you built a sled for your saw? I am going to build one for cutting small stuff and wondered was having just one slot on the table ok? I imagine it is but I am new to table saws and value my fingers so don't want to do something that seems ok but is actually not a good idea. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@Growveguk]

baconsoda Yes we have identical saws. yes I have made a table saw for it that I have used daily for 2 years and never had so much as a snag. just google me, there are images of the sled on my website

[@baconsoda]

Super Andy, I'll head to your website now and set the page up for the morning because I want to get to bed as I have an early start in the morning when the lads arrive back to finish the walls and prepare for the roof. Many thanks.

[@Itnecap]

Really incredible crafter !

[@Yonatan24]

...And this is why -I- we love your channel. WOW!

[@52Ford]

What is the purpose of the upside down cross in your comment?

[@Yonatan24]

I -replaced- I with we. No real reason, I just like doing that... :)

[@dickensrivers9862]

how much do i love this guy...very nice and keep playing-, i mean working.....no, i mean playing at working!

[@JessCretney]

Why the heck would someone give this a thumbs down! Come on, you get to see a well made video for ZERO dollars and advertisement free. Come on people, appreciate things, or at least don't give a thumbs down to someone who went to all the trouble of showing you something for nothing.

[@peterbonifacio3288]

This is a beautiful design even if it is complicate to make it. Compliments!

[@macedindu829]

OMG, that sawmill blade! I can't wait to see that in action. Kinda sucks that it's December, lol.

[@TrevorVera]

every version is going to get better.. i think its a right of passage for woodworkers to eventually make their own tool :D

[@WillN2Go1]

Thanks Matias, I would like to see you cutting some big stuff on it. I love seeing all your engineering and solutions. I think the real value for those of us not ambitious enough to build shop machines is in guides, extension tables, adjustments. Now what tool can you design and build that no one has even thought up yet?

[@Blakeusblades]

Love your work

[@darinareyacrazyman1505]

My factory built band saw has a quick release blade tension lever.Not because the frame won't handle the load,but because the rubber tires won't.If I leave the tension on,the rubber under the tensioned blade compresses and takes a set,which makes for a slight variation in wheel diameter that causes rough operation.If I remember to use the release each time,the saw runs very much smoother. I do like your new saw design though and am seriously considering building my own when I get a bigger shop built. I can also recommend Sawblade.com,we buy all our metal cutting blades we use at work from them and they offer excellent blades and service at a good price.Not affiliated with them,just a happy customer.

[@matthiaswandel]

I use cheap innertubes, never detension, and have no problems. If your tires won't stand it, they are junk

[@davewilliams355]

Love your videos, can't wait to see the end result, green paint I hope?

[@willemkossen]

Dave Williams green probably. But i would like a shocking pink to get some conversation going ;)

[@izybit]

Pink? I second that! :D

[@selador11]

Put some contact cement between the tires and the wheels. Once dry, trim the tires off at the outside edge of the wheels. I'm not just blowing smoke here. I built a bandsaw of the same size and that's what worked for me. :)

[@ucrash2]

Big bandsaw plans! Totally want.

[@Wuuz]

cant wait to see the big one in action :) , maybe modify so it could be put sideways on rails for longer cuts?

[@vizionthing]

Inspirational as always

[@skinnwalk3r586]

just great, love your vids :)

[@iuliannastase9786]

sunteti mare mestru imi plac tot ceace faceti.as vrea si eu asa ceva dar cred ca este scump.

[@nhguavhayzajerutas703]

live your ideas & skills

[@eln74]

Yes.... Tnx Mr. Wandel!!

[@stevenhardy2898]

If only Laguna would send you a carbide tipped band. Thin kerfed and awesome in maple.

[@MRrwmac]

I think ALL of your bandsaws are amazing! I'm going to build one "someday" (using your most updated plans which hopefully include all the latest modifications)! Mine is the one that comes with my Shopsmith. Strong maple seems easily available to you in Canada, but here in the USA oak seems to be as strong an alternative (I hope). Are your current purchasable plans fully updated to the bandsaw you are building now!

[@doubledarefan]

Matt, your old Bandsaw is not obsolete. Anything that still does the job is not obsolete. Posted this comment from a 12-yo computer that computes just fine, save for YT video playback being a bit choppy, so I download the vids with Video Download Helper, watch 'em with VLC for glass-smooth playback, even at 1080p, delete the vids after watching (no point cluttering up my HDD), and come back to rate, and read and post comments.

[@matthiaswandel]

I don't know why you think obsolete would mean no longer functional

[@portabuddy]

love the new saw!, should give the smaller one away to someone local in ontario.

[@techscrew2]

Your a very clever individual, and you must have lots of time on your hands. I want to build a horizontal bandsaw with cutting width about 60”. Any tips?

[@forestlampcraft472]

YOU AS ALWAYS well DONE!

[@JC-ck4wk]

the evaluation of your bandsaw's is pretty amazing how they go from overly complicated and not so strong, to bullet proof and simple.

[@MaybeDave]

Thanks for sharing all your knowledge, Matthias. I know you've built a variety of machines, but is there one that you would say is simple enough to be someone's first machine? Thanks.

[@AllenBrosowsky]

I liked your original assessment of the size, 'BIGGER IS BETTER'. Do you have plans thought of using it as a sawmill? Especially since you installed a sawmill style blade on it. That should work quite well.

[@westleyshirlaw8437]

Amazing work great to see people build what they want instead of buying a mass produced piece of garbage

[@Kntryhart]

Good stuff!

[@melestepp9560]

Im sure you could rig up a a way to clean the wheels as its in use with a old toothbrush or paint brush is the toothbrush is to stiff maybe mount it to the shroud so it wont interfere with bkade changes

[@atiseru]

But besides doing projects around the house and building machines just to build more machines, what do you do with you woodworing skills? Is it your job or just a hobby?

[@richardpatterson4312]

atiseru I think building machines IS the hobby. And I can definitely dig that. I make bottle openers and bowls on the lathe. Building machines IS way cooler. I also work 60hrs a week so building a bandsaw that takes this long to make is all I would ever ever do if I chose that.

[@robertbeckman2054]

I've wanted a band saw for quite a while, but don't have the money for a "decent" one. I picked up a sears craftsman 1973 12", but the wheels wobble. Anyway, it was nice to hear someone else having a bad band saw story. I would love to build my own, but I own a skil, chop, and jig saw, and that's it.

[@keithbryan9567]

+Matthias Wandel I love your channel because of all of the cool equipment that you build. I really enjoyed this video. A thought occurred to me as you were discussing the issue of sawdust getting into the inner tubes you're using for tires. What if you tried cutting a rebate as you're machining the wheels around the inner and outer edges of the circumference of your wheels. What do you feel would be the result if the rebates were deep enough to either make the lip of the inner tubes flush with the outer surface of the wheels or even a little deeper than being flush? It could be as narrow of a groove as you felt necessary and could serve as a nice lip to trim off any excess tubing. Cutting off the excess would have negligible effect on balance improvement, it would just look nicer lol. What do you think about the rebate idea though?

[@pierremf6277]

Good day Matthias. Regarding the dust problem in the inner tubes. Why don't you just cut a thin piece of plywood into a washer shape and screw it to the side of the wheel sandwiching the rubber between the wood. That should stop the dust jamming in there.

[@matthiaswandel]

many ways to solve it, just that I haven't bothered with any yet.

[@electricwally]

Very good Matthias! Do you sell plans for building your most successful bandsaw build? Thank you.

[@Elena.1990.vladimirovna]

All I know for sure is this guy is a master.

[@Jacobsen-ij9hn]

Hey love your videos! i really like your new case can you d more videos with it?

[@jplg5019]

When will you be releasing plans for your big saw? I would love to build along with you! Keep up the great videos!!!

[@matthiaswandel]

When they are done. I don't know when that will be.

[@habenero_fpv]

Makes me want to make a band saw. Have you considered using an old bicycle to make a band saw? Has two wheels. 1 that's chain driven mated to a motor. just need to make a sturdy frame to hold everything together.

[@matthiaswandel]

search for "more bad bandsaw ideas" on my website for more on that

[@xanokothe]

Really nice Matthias! Would you build a metal version? It looks like most of the problems are related with forces and bending.

[@dfmackenzie]

But he clearly stated that the laminated beam on is new saws solved the problem.

[@TheNormalUniverse]

Well told story!

[@jacobdart4000]

Have you thought of putting a coat of silicone at the seam where the inter tube meets the wood?

[@ldwithrow08]

I've really drunk the kool aid on Wandel's bandsaw plan. I've been collecting materials and should begin laminating the frame soon. Before I'm done I will order a set of his plans. Not that I really need them, I will be modifying quite a bit, but because Mr. Wandel deserves to be compensated for his idea. I'm going to use 25 inch wheels because I work a lot of sheet goods and ripping to the center of a sheet is something I do a lot. I'm going to make my wheels and pulleys out of MDF, and locate the main drive pulley on the opposite side of the frame. (I will be working metal as well as wood and steel chips falling down on a wooden pulley would damage it.) The frame will be nine layers thick instead of seven, with the center and outside layers being red oak. And it will be long enough to be freestanding on the floor. And I want 13 inches or more between the blade guides, clear to the spine of the machine. Really excited. Thanks Matthias.

[@mohaghasemi]

Matthias, is it possible for you to consider while planning and building to make the Bandsaw adaptable to be able to run sideways to mill logs? I appreciate your videos and work.

[@codelicious6590]

Ive been trying to get mine going, I hit a major snag with the whole upper wheel assembly- I cant come to a final design for the raising and lowering part whilst still allowing for a tilt as well. I am now wondering if it would be ok to just forget about trying to make it tiltable and just focus on the up and down, or the tensioning adjustment movement.

[@SRCVintageElectronics]

Very nice!

[@johnbouttell5827]

5:58 I love the winch mechanism; very Heath Robinson

[@jamest.5001]

you are like a wood master. I never thought of making such stuff from wood. is there any certain type of wood to avoid when making these components? I know a lot of pallet woods are kinda hard. so I think a soft pine wouldn't be a good choice? am I correct? I f I get in to one of these projects. it will probably be from scrap or reclaimed wood. like from pallets. and I am also thinking of building a table saw. and router table from my old school craftsman router. what brand saw works good for making a table saw? and I would like to build a few types of sanders. spindle and a large belt sander. basically a whole wood shop. how costly are the saw mill blades? sorry I have so many questions. but o am very interested in what you are doing. at what rpm do you spin the blade and what type motor do you use? and the specs on it? I look forward to your next video

[@Morhua1]

When that 20" beast is done you gotta show it cutting something substantial!

[@shanek6582]

You truly are a genius. Would you sell the old bandsaw since you're making a new one?

[@UTubeGlennAR]

- :) Extra Cool Mr. Wandel............. BIG Congratulations....... - :)

[@azizbah555]

Good work .

[@threegs3496]

can you explain how electrical throttles (or variable speed controllers) work.

[@user-xq8zp8zn7v]

انا من العراق واتابع اعمالك انتة بارع جدا" وتامنا لك التوفيق في اعمالك

[@TimeWellSpentHere]

If I were to build a jigsaw table with blade guides, would it be better to have sideway bearings or wooden blocks like you use here? To keep the blade steady I will either way have a bearing in the back that helps keep the blade square while I'm pushing on it.

[@52Ford]

If you don't mind the noise, I'd go with the bearings. If you do mind the noise, go with wooden blocks. Don't forget that they make linear bearings. Another idea would be to use blocks of a soft metal in place of wood.

[@TimeWellSpentHere]

Michael Major I don't mind the noise but I do mind the price. Cheapo bearings cost 7€, and because I need 3 that adds up to 21€ - about the expected price of the rest of the construction. I could always use skateboard bearings, but mine are too old and worn out to use.

[@matthiaswandel]

blocks are just fine. Watch my videos on cutting gears with a jigsaw. I just used a scrap of wood with a slot in it.

[@52Ford]

Honestly, cost never even crossed my mind when I was typing that comment. For what it's worth, Amazon has some pretty decent prices for bearings. I checked the UK Amazon site and they had a set of ten 22mm OD skateboard ball bearings for about 3 pounds with free shipping. Of course, the Almighty Matthias has spoken and he actually has first hand experience with what you're trying to accomplish, unlike me.

[@TimeWellSpentHere]

I have a 15mm thick oak board and two 16mm IKEA cutting board (beech and bamboo). Would any of those work, and is there a need for lubricant?

[@roummellaurenciana6351]

I like the blade tensioner awesome

[@108ashtangi]

You are the Wood Wizard Mathias.