Cutting logs on a bandsaw without proper support for the log can be very dangerous. If you tried to cut a log to length without proper support. The blade can grab the log and spin it up sending the log flying off the bandsaw. A cradle can be an effective way to support a log. In fact, DMS has a bandsaw specific rule for this: “Use a cradle when sawing logs & limbs to prevent rolling / breaking the blade.”
Here is an example:
These are easy to make - cut a 2x4 in half with a 45 degree cut and screw to a scrap piece of plywood. Make sure the bandsaw blade doesn’t hit a screw!
But what about cutting a log lengthwise (to get dimensional lumber for example)? Not properly supporting the log can result in the log rolling sideways bending oir breaking blade and/or ripping out the blade supports.
To properly support a log for a lengthwise cut, I built a log slicing jig based on a May 2007 Wood Magazine design and tested it today on the laguna bandsaw (with the help of Patrick) on a 21” long, 11” in diameter mesquite log. I made it out of scrap plywood.
The jig has two components: 1) a base made of plywood with a miter guage slot runner and 2) a fence that slides along the base. The log rests on the base and is bolted to the fence with three 2 inch 1/4 -20 stainless steel lag screws. The fence is secured to the base with a star knob and t track bolt.
It works surprisingly well. After each cut the fence is slid forward 1" across the base (the base is painted blue in the pictures) and locked down. The cut is smooth and the thickness only varies by < 1/16 along the boards. Yielded 8 1” boards 9-10” wide and 21” long (about 10 board feet).
The lumber will go into my solar kiln and should be dry in 6 to 10 weeks depending on how sunny it is.
I also tested it on my 1990’s Delta 110v bandsaw at home, but it takes 5 minutes to slice off a board vs about 1 minute on the Laguna. The only downside is that you have to stop slicing the log before you get to the lag bolts (Patrick said it was not a good idea to cut stainless steel with a bandsaw blade) so you end up with a 3" thick board left over with three screw holes.
Video and more info on this at Resawing Bandsaw Jig and Technique | Wood.