Radius cuts with a bandsaw should be cut how far from the line on the waste?

• A. On the line
• B. 1/32 inch from the line on the waste
• C. Outside the line
• D. Any margin

Answer: (B)

When you cut a radius with a bandsaw, you have to account for the blade’s kerf—the amount of material the blade removes as it passes through the wood. To end up exactly on the drawn line, you don’t cut right on the line; you cut slightly to the waste side so there’s a small margin to remove later. Cutting about 1/32 inch on the waste side gives you a tiny bit of extra material to trim away during finishing, so the final edge can meet the line precisely after sanding or cleanup. This offset helps compensate for the blade’s width and any slight drift, ensuring an accurate radius.