Bandsaw Rub-arm

[RodKirby]

If you do a "lot" of template work (different thickness workpieces), a height-adjustable rub-arm is useful.

Mounted to my Kreg BS fence...

[JR]

I saw this written up recently in a magazine (ShopNotes?). I thought then it was a great idea. Now that I've seen it done Kirby style, it looks like a fantastic idea.

Thanks for sharing.

JR

[RodKirby]

I saw this written up recently in a magazine (ShopNotes?). I thought then it was a great idea. Now that I've seen it done Kirby style, it looks like a fantastic idea.

Thanks for sharing.

JR

Yup! That's what kicked me off - and something I've been meaning to setup for quite a while.

[LCHIEN]

Ummm, sorry ,can't quite figure out how it works...

Does that notch and curve keep you from taking too big a bite,
or is the rub arm to run on a template (I guess I'm beginning to get it). Like a bearing bit.

[ragswl4]

Ummm, sorry ,can't quite figure out how it works...

Does that notch and curve keep you from taking too big a bite,
or is the rub arm to run on a template (I guess I'm beginning to get it). Like a bearing bit.

If I got it right I think the template is on the bottom against the table and rubs against the arm and guides the workpiece (on top of the template) into the blade. Kind of like an upside down guide bushing in a router.

Then again, I could be wrong.

[RodKirby]

Ummm, sorry ,can't quite figure out how it works...

Does that notch and curve keep you from taking too big a bite,
or is the rub arm to run on a template (I guess I'm beginning to get it). Like a bearing bit.

Yes - "the rub arm to run on a template (I guess I'm beginning to get it). Like a bearing bit".

The rub arm protrudes 1/16" past the blade - designed to take the "sweat" out of bandsawing to a template.

Fully described in ShopNotes #95

[LCHIEN]

oh, then I think I see now, the bandsaw blade is held (in the notch) about 1/16th away from the template, so that you CANNOT cut into the template or workpiece (hence, no Sweat). Then you finish the last bit off on your router?
So this just makes a close but not quite router-finishable copy.

Right?

(sorry, I don't have that issue).

[JR]

Right?

Exactly right.

[ironhat]

Sorry to be thick, Rod, but where does the waste go if the waste side of the blade is captured in the plexi? Or, is the stock on top of the template and the waste goes over the plexi - right?

[RodKirby]

Sorry to be thick, Rod, but where does the waste go if the waste side of the blade is captured in the plexi? Or, is the stock on top of the template and the waste goes over the plexi - right?

Sorry - my first pic has caused the confusion...

1. Template is stuck (doubleside tape?), to the workpiece.
2. Rub-arm height is set to be just above the workpiece - to rub on the template.
3. Waste is under the rub-arm.

Side view: R=Rub-arm, B=saw blade, T=Template, W=workpiece

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRBRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT...
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW...

[ironhat]

Thanks, Rod. Your crytograph at the bottom is pretty self-explanatory but in review of the original photo I should have surmised the height adjustment per the sliding block. I told you that I was thick-headed!