bandsaw

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A power saw with a continuous metal blade that runs over two wheels and cuts wood or metal.

   Grammar: Countable: one bandsaw, two bandsaws. Often written as two words, band saw.

   Patterns

   • a bandsaw
   • cut something on a bandsaw
   • use a bandsaw

   The workshop has a large bandsaw for cutting curves in thick wood.

   He cut the metal pipe on a bandsaw because a hand saw was too slow.

   Always wear safety glasses when you use the bandsaw.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To cut something with a bandsaw.

   Grammar: Takes an object: bandsaw the board. Usually used in the passive or as a participle: bandsawed timber.

   Patterns

   • bandsaw something
   • bandsaw something into pieces

   They bandsawed the frozen fish into neat steaks.

   The panels were bandsawed to shape before sanding.

Word forms

Common combinations

vertical bandsaw

A vertical bandsaw is best for cutting tight curves.

bandsaw blade

The bandsaw blade snapped and had to be replaced.

bandsaw mill

They turned the logs into planks at a small bandsaw mill.

cut on a bandsaw

She cut the chair legs on a bandsaw.

Synonyms and how they differ

jigsaw

A jigsaw is a handheld power saw for curves; a bandsaw is a fixed machine with a continuous blade, better for thicker material.

circular saw

A circular saw uses a round toothed blade for straight cuts; a bandsaw can cut curves and thicker stock.

Word family

saw noun

A tool with a toothed blade for cutting.

sawmill noun

A place where logs are cut into boards, often with a bandsaw.

Commonly confused: bandsaw or chainsaw?

Practice

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