bubinga
Well-known member
Anyone done this?
I can't see why not?
I can't see why not?
Meat Bandsaw use for woodworking?
- Thread starter bubinga
- Start date
Packard V8
Well-known member
The blades for meat cutting are quite different. However, there are several different wood cutting blades, depending on whether it's resawing, ripping, curves, et al.
jack vines
jack vines
RTM
Well-known member
I've seen a few guys use them online, but never in person. Just figure out what your blade speed will be, see if its close to what you need. Not sure if I've seen one used for resaw though, so not sure if it can apply enough blade tension.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Much more likely that a meat saw will work on wood than a wood saw would work on metal. The speeds for meat and wood should be somewhat close.
As has been mentioned, just for CUTTING, first look at blade speed. Meat saws generally run quite a bit slower (fewer blade feet per minute) than what a wood saw blade would want to be run at. There may or may not be pulley adjustments to up the blade speed.
The structure of the saw is generally more light weight. Might not be able to tension a wood blade sufficiently which is most important. Secondarily, the table is generally lightweight stamped metal and there are no provisions for table tilt, a fence, etc.
You might be able to use it for basic wood bandsaw needs. Or the saw may be structurally and mechanically incapable of meeting the needs to properly tension and turn a wood blade. You could still use it, but you might find it might be frustrating. Or semi-dangerous if you run the blades off the wheels trying.
My gut reaction is resawing blanks for bowls will overtax it, but I'm not familiar with your saw.
If it does work for you, congrats!
The structure of the saw is generally more light weight. Might not be able to tension a wood blade sufficiently which is most important. Secondarily, the table is generally lightweight stamped metal and there are no provisions for table tilt, a fence, etc.
You might be able to use it for basic wood bandsaw needs. Or the saw may be structurally and mechanically incapable of meeting the needs to properly tension and turn a wood blade. You could still use it, but you might find it might be frustrating. Or semi-dangerous if you run the blades off the wheels trying.
My gut reaction is resawing blanks for bowls will overtax it, but I'm not familiar with your saw.
If it does work for you, congrats!
Al Borland
Well-known member
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- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,599
Typically, no speed adjustment on a butcher saw. That doesn't look like a commercial saw. Usually they are heavier-built. That looks light-duty. Typically the base goes all the way to the floor, and die-cast aluminum with no hard corners or crevices to hold debris and breed food poisoning. Try throwing 50 Lbs. of frozen meat or a half a pig on that..
I found a heavy duty meat saw that someone began to convert to a woodworking saw. New upper and lower bearings, no motor, no table, no blade guides. I was in college and got it in a barter deal for some electrical work. It was the only bandsaw I could afford, but after finishing the design and fabricating the missing parts, I must say it has served me well for over 40 years. Still use it almost daily. Designed a two speed drive system. 4000 ft per min and 100 ft per min.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
I am reminded of the saying: "Anything seems possible when you don't know what you're doing."
Too lazy to find/too cheap to just buy a bandsaw designed for woodworking? WTH?
Flared Base
Well-known member
Just for reference, I know of several forge shops that use modified meat cutting band saws to saw flash off of larger structural aluminum forgings. They are suspended from a jib crane so that they can be swung around the part's perimeter once it is positioned on a stand. The biggest changes to the saw are adding some handles and an eyelet to the top to hang from the jib crane. Granted, we only use this on aluminum, which is quite soft so the meat cutting bandsaws work OK on it. I have never seen these saws used on metals other than aluminum at the plants I have seen them.
I have seen other wood working tools used on aluminum so there is some anecdotal link between meat, metal, and wood.
Here's a picture grabbed from the internet with a blue one in the background.
I think going back to your original question, you need to work backwards from what you want to cut, then select a blade, then see if the bandsaw you are looking at can support the correct speeds. Not saying it can be done, but it is within the realm of possibilities. Just because it was originally designed to cut meat/bones does not mean it can't be repurposed.
I would think one of the differences in a bandsaw designed to cut wood and one for butchering would be accuracy of the cut and specifically the guides for the band saw. If you are looking for the best results possible in wood, probably limit yourself to tools designed for that. If you just want to make a cut and don't care about blade drifting or perpendicularity, then I would think the meat cutting one would be OK.
Edited: clarified some sentences above the picture and added paragraphs below.
I have seen other wood working tools used on aluminum so there is some anecdotal link between meat, metal, and wood.
Here's a picture grabbed from the internet with a blue one in the background.
I think going back to your original question, you need to work backwards from what you want to cut, then select a blade, then see if the bandsaw you are looking at can support the correct speeds. Not saying it can be done, but it is within the realm of possibilities. Just because it was originally designed to cut meat/bones does not mean it can't be repurposed.
I would think one of the differences in a bandsaw designed to cut wood and one for butchering would be accuracy of the cut and specifically the guides for the band saw. If you are looking for the best results possible in wood, probably limit yourself to tools designed for that. If you just want to make a cut and don't care about blade drifting or perpendicularity, then I would think the meat cutting one would be OK.
Edited: clarified some sentences above the picture and added paragraphs below.
Last edited:
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
Try looking up the specs on a meat saw & see how they compare, probably doesn't have the power or accuracy as one made for resawing, I do like the large table. Here's one I saw at grizzly, probably better off with one meant for wood.
www.grizzly.com
Grizzly T32304 - 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
<h1>T32304 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw</h1> <h2>Ready for the toughest of meat-cutting jobs.</h2> <p>The T32304 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw is designed for cutting frozen or near frozen meat and bones.</p> <p>It has an adjustable fence and meat pusher help you cut everything from steaks...
www.grizzly.com
Oh, Ok, sot so good for resawing.Try looking up the specs on a meat saw & see how they compare, probably doesn't have the power or accuracy as one made for resawing, I do like the large table. Here's one I saw at grizzly, probably better off with one meant for wood.
Grizzly T32304 - 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
<h1>T32304 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw</h1> <h2>Ready for the toughest of meat-cutting jobs.</h2> <p>The T32304 10" 3/4 HP Meat-Cutting Bandsaw is designed for cutting frozen or near frozen meat and bones.</p> <p>It has an adjustable fence and meat pusher help you cut everything from steaks...
Maybe OK though, for roughing out bowl blanks. I like the height under the top guide.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
This one is a decent machine & can add a riser kit to get 12" of resaw, you definitely need power to resaw & a good blade. I would keep looking for a dedicated wood machine, around me bandsaws pop up a lot.
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-14-1-hp-deluxe-bandsaw/g0555lx
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-14-1-hp-deluxe-bandsaw/g0555lx
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
You also need a good fence, which you could make as long as it's rigid, not sure what capacity you're looking for.
Thank you!Just for reference, I know of several forge shops that use modified meat cutting band saws to saw flash off of larger structural aluminum forgings. They are suspended from a jib crane so that they can be swung around the part's perimeter once it is positioned on a stand. The biggest changes to the saw are adding some handles and an eyelet to the top to hang from the jib crane. Granted, we only use this on aluminum, which is quite soft so the meat cutting bandsaws work OK on it. I have never seen these saws used on metals other than aluminum at the plants I have seen them.
I have seen other wood working tools used on aluminum so there is some anecdotal link between meat, metal, and wood.
Here's a picture grabbed from the internet with a blue one in the background.
I think going back to your original question, you need to work backwards from what you want to cut, then select a blade, then see if the bandsaw you are looking at can support the correct speeds. Not saying it can be done, but it is within the realm of possibilities. Just because it was originally designed to cut meat/bones does not mean it can't be repurposed.
I would think one of the differences in a bandsaw designed to cut wood and one for butchering would be accuracy of the cut and specifically the guides for the band saw. If you are looking for the best results possible in wood, probably limit yourself to tools designed for that. If you just want to make a cut and don't care about blade drifting or perpendicularity, then I would think the meat cutting one would be OK.
Edited: clarified some sentences above the picture and added paragraphs below.
Yeah, Probably mostly for rough cuts on bowl blanks.
Renegade1LI
Well-known member
I'm not trying to dissuade the op but you need a good band saw for resawing, especially if its seasoned hard wood, good roller bearing guides,I don't see the meat ones as really being precision machines.
LOL I have never have a precision cut beef bone to the .001" but they are pretty uniform in cuts. LOL.. I don't have any real experience on that department other than what I see on the meat market, they cut it in front of you... when they cut the bones for me, give me the creeps...
on that side note: OP, man if you are going to check that out, just make sure the owner didn't greet you with a skimask on or something... Not normal for some home owner to own a meat saw for some weird reasons or what not.
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Around me a decent meat saw is worth more than a decent woodworking one. Personally I'd like to have both since ****** woodchips don't seem more appealing in my pork chop than a hunk of bone in the latest wood project.
The big difference with meat bandsaws is they are basically flip-flopped from regular saws. This is due to when you cut meat you are usually standing to the side of the blade. With most people being right handed the table orientation makes more sense this way. You hold the product with your dominant right hand and catch the cuts with your left. If you were standing in front of a wood saw in the typical way with the side cover to the left of you the blade would be backwards on a meat saw. On a wood saw your dominant right hand is on the outside of the blade but using a meat saw it would be to the inside.
I don't know if I'm explaining this in a way that makes sense but I do have 20 years of daily experience on a meat bandsaw working in retail grocery.
I don't know if I'm explaining this in a way that makes sense but I do have 20 years of daily experience on a meat bandsaw working in retail grocery.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
Actually, around my part of the world someone having their own butcher shop in the garage or shop isn’t that uncommon. But it’s a state where hunting and agriculture make up a lot of business and hobbies for folks.
lol remind me of this commercial... but yes, Just saying... not sure if ski mask is common though
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Any saw is a meat saw if you are careless.
Also, I believe chainsaws were originally invented as a surgical tool, but got...um...beefed up for wood.
Also, I believe chainsaws were originally invented as a surgical tool, but got...um...beefed up for wood.
Kscardsfan
Well-known member
I’ve been to a few garage/estate sales that definitely gave me that vibe.lol remind me of this commercial... but yes, Just saying... not sure if ski mask is common though