Steve Sykes stated that Forrest makes large, specialty bandsaws for industrial use. Our equipment is used to cut insulation, graphite, carbon, pipe and frozen whales. Im not kidding about the whales. Before today, I had never made lasagna with a bandsaw. We were inspired by your article to try it. (Click here for the video).
Mr. Sykes went on explain that Forrest band saws are much larger and more expensive than would be of interest to most home woodworkers, although some might be interested in knowing about the companys traveling tables. All Forrest vertical saws include a portable workpiece support table. The operator can make straight cuts on awkward or heavy workpieces with the table while keeping his/her hands free of the blades. To check out a few Forrest machines, click here.
Sykes informed me that to make a traveling table, the machine must be fixed to the ground to prevent tipping. However, Forrest tables can travel approximately 140 cm in total. The company makes two different types of machines: a cantilever style and a rail-mounted design. The cantilever style works like a drawer side. And bigger jobs require a rail-mounted saw.
So here is my question: Would woodworkers be interested in a traveling table if the blade could be accurately located so there is no blade drift? How much work do you do at your band saw that would benefit from this feature? Who knows, we might see a traveling table on a woodworking-type band saw sometime in the future.
