Hi Hank;

Very nice to meet you. Thanks for the nice welcome and the compliments on my paddle. I appreciate your help on setting up the bandsaw as well. I actually like bandsaws, but I happened to be without one at the start of this project. I was looking to buy a used saw when a friend said, "don't bother, I'll lend you mine." His turned out to be a 10" Craftsman benchtop, and when I asked him why the blade was in such bad shape, he told me he tried to cut up tire carcasses with it! (Unsuccessfully, I might add) . . .

I went to Sears and got their recommended ripping blade, as a 56-7/8" blade was otherwise not too common locally. The saw looks to be low time, and the tires didn't seem worn at all. The inside of the cover said to "draw the blade taught, and then tighten it 2 clicks further." I did that, and tried for the 3rd click as well, but couldn't do it. This is a 1/4" blade, max the saw will take.

The problem that developed was that even with the table leveled with a square, as the cut progressed the lower part of the blade would cut toward the center of the curve I was following - - This made for one totally unusable paddle blade which I had to do over from the start. I had to compensate for the changing cut angle by making the blades thicker, and then do a lot of planing to get what I should have had in the 1st place. The amount of the angle was worst at the middle of the curve, off perhaps 1/8" at the bottom of the cut as opposed to the top. . .

This saw has a maximum depth of cut of 3", which I was using all of, and it is not particularly sturdy. I think your analysis of "saw overmatched by job" was very accurate.

Again, very nice to meet you, I'm getting closer to starting the kayak every day (ordered plans this AM!)

Best Regards, Spidey