The Complete Handbook of Band Saw Accessories

It's a solid reference, and I've already used the blade selection charts when ordering for our shop. The chapter on installing tension gauges was really clear. I just wish there was more on the very latest CNC band saws; the examples feel a bit geared toward manual machines. Also, a little more on really large industrial units would have been helpful. But for a general handbook, it does the job.

This is the most complete book on the subject I've found. I've been using band saws for years, mostly in a metalworking shop, and I still picked up several new tips on blade maintenance and fixing drift. The maintenance chapter alone is worth the price. I deducted one star because I felt the section on business opportunities was a little generic, but the technical content is excellent and exactly as promised.

Finally, a reference that treats the reader like an intelligent professional. The explanation of how guide bearings and blade back-up bearings interact was worth the entire cost. It is not a fluffy book; it is pure, practical information. I bought a copy for our shop floor and one for home. This is the new standard handbook, as far as I'm concerned.

The book is comprehensive, and the chapter on choosing the right accessories helped me stop buying the wrong blades. However, I found the tone a bit dry, almost like reading a technical manual, which I guess is what it is. I also wish there were more photos or diagrams; the descriptions were good, but the book could really use a visual guide to guide block styles. It's a useful library addition, but not something to read cover to cover.

I needed a guide for installing a new fence and a better dust collection chute for my saw. The installation chapter was accurate and easy to follow. The reason for three stars is that the book covers a lot of ground, and I felt that some of the more advanced topics, like tuning a double-column saw, were only mentioned briefly. It feels like it is trying to be for everyone, which means it isn't always deep enough for my specific job.

I ordered this for my husband, who runs a small cabinet shop, and he says it is very helpful. He appreciated the clear charts on blade specs for different hardwoods. He mentioned the business chapter gave him a good idea about offering sharpening services in our area, which he hadn't considered. A very useful and practical book for anyone serious about their equipment, though he said the binding feels a little cheap for a reference that will be on a dirty shelf

As a supplier to local woodshops, I find this book to be an excellent resource to recommend to my customers. It does a great job of explaining why a cheap blade is a false economy and how to read the specs on a blade box. I was impressed by the section on future trends regarding carbide-tipped blades in smaller saws, which is spot on. The only weakness is that the brand chapter is a little out of date already, but that's normal for a book.

A very well-organized handbook. The troubleshooting flowcharts in chapter five are exactly what I needed to solve a persistent tracking issue on my old 14-inch saw. The glossary is also great for training my new assistant. It isn't a thrilling read, but it is a highly effective manual. I would have given it five stars, but I wish the binding was spiral bound so it would lay flat on the workbench, which is where it spends most of its time.