Introduction: Resawing a Board Without a Bandsaw
Resawing is the act of cutting a board down the middle to get a thinner board. I've used this to make "bookmatched" doors or boxes. Bookmatched simply means that the grains of the 2 boards match each other - they are mirror images (almost). This is a good way to make boxes that have the grain of the wood running all the way around the box and matching up. The picture of the 2 boards shows how a resawn board looks after the process is complete - this is the board I used for this instructable.
Step 1: Size the Board Width
In order to cut the board down the middle you need to find the middle of the board. There are several ways to do this - I simply use a a square to determine the width and then find 1/2 of it. I set this to the middle of my table saw blade from the fence. The image for this step is the
Step 2: Cut Into the Board
In order to get a cut into the board there are things to remember
1. Cut one side, then flip the board and over so you keep the same side of the board against the fence
2. Cut in multiple steps - don't try to raise your saw blade to maximum height and cut it all at once. I tend to cut in 1 inch increments
I use a feather board to help hold the board firmly against the fence. When you are done with this step you have a board with a cut on each side and wood still in the middle
Step 3: Clamp and Make a Starter Cut
In order to cut the board safely using the sawzall it is necessary to have a starter cut. I use a hand saw to cut this and make it about 3/4" deep
Step 4: Make the Cut With the Sawzall
You will only be able to saw partway through the board and then you will have to flip it over and repeat for the other end