I was wondering was is the best size for a stationary bandsaw for use on timbers? Or is a portable bandsaw better? What would be the best size for portable bandsaw? I am new to the Craft and Guild. I am will be setting up a one man shop in the spring. I have most of the power and hand tools to get started with. I am located in BC Canada. I really love working with timbers. I used to work on a timber deck in a western red cedar sawmill. Also I sold western red cedar products too.

hey cedar, if you cant pick it up, take the tool to it. portable. what do you want to cut? rafter tails?

Yes I want to be able to cut rafter tails. To give an nice look to the work pieces. I see that Falberg makes portable band saws.
Or is there another way to cut rafter tails?
Thx-Cedar

For curvilinear rafter tail cuts, the best tool for the job is a portable bandsaw you bring to the material. If you can't spring for one of the portable bandsaws (Mafell makes a nice one), there are options. If you have a shop with a smooth concrete floor, you can get any old 14" shop bandsaw, Delta, Jet, etc, and mount it on a base with large swiveling wheels. It is possible to swivel and move such a bandsaw around pretty well and execute scrolling cuts.

Otherwise, another option is chisels, gouges, shaves.

For curvilinear rafter tail cuts, the best ool for the job is a portable bandsaw you bring tot he material. If you can't spring for one of the portable bandsaws (Mafell makes a nice one), there are options. If you have a shop with a smooth concrete floor, you can get any old 14" shop bandsaw, Delta, Jet, etc, and mount it on a base with large swiveling wheels. It is possible to swivel and move such a bandsaw around pretty well and execute scrolling cuts.

chris -Thanks for the information. I will look into getting a Mafell bandsaw. Also I will try out carving to see how to do things on a rafter tail.
Eric