resawing question

[coppolajc10]

Someone called me today to resaw some old planks taken from his house.  He thinks the wood is from the late 1800's and some kind of hardwood, each plank being 2.5-3.5" thick and roughly 10" wide.  He would like the thickness of each one cut in half.  I have a 30hp mill.  I've never tried this, will these be resawn easily?  I have WM bands in 10° and 7° or some cheaper bands that I don't care much about.  What's the best band option for this job?  He says there's no nails  :D.   Thank you, Jake.

[WDH]

He says there's no nails  :D.

:D :D :D :D

[Sawmill_Nick]

My personal preference would be to use the lowest hook angle you have available as they will be very hard if they are a hardwood that old. We have done this several times and count on hitting nails even if you don't see any.

[terrifictimbersllc]

Try either of your bands with only lube to to keep the blade clean or cool-watch the tension carefully-and also sight down the kerf on both sides like a hawk during the cut. If it's not straight ,stop and change something.  Especially watch for a straight kerf right after hitting metal.  A ragged cut is usually ok but one that climbs or dives will ruin one or both boards. Myself I'd try a 7 first and go to a 4 if this showed problems.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I have resawn old 1800's boards until I could throw up.   

If indeed it is hardwood.....I would go ahead and use the 4°.
On any resaw job...go ahead and count on a nail every once in a while.
You can probably count on ruining aboard every now and agin also.....but don't sweat it. Things happen when you hit nails.

A lot of the old boards I sawed, I had to first just shave one side just to get a flat surface. Then flip the board and shave a flat surface on that side.....then saw in half.

By the way....if I had a nickel for every time someone told me there was no nails in that wood, I'd have over $300.00 right now.

[Peter Drouin]

Famous last words.[ No nails]  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Nomad]

     Remind him he owes you for a blade every time you hit a nail that isn't there. :D

[terrifictimbersllc]

Just saw through the nails as long as you can saw straight.   He'll get what's coming to him at his planer.

[LittleJohn]

.... He'll get what's coming to him at his planer.

OUCH  :D ;D

[coppolajc10]

 :D, thanks guys ... I'm gonna pass on this job.

[backwoods sawyer]

Just saw through the nails as long as you can saw straight.   He'll get what's coming to him at his planer.

I alway circle the metal i have cut thru with a lumber crayon for their future reference to minimize the chance of the planer finding it a second time ;) 

start with a resharpened saw, new saws find metal faster ;D