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I have this idea for keeping wood pressed tight to the fence for resawing and I figure I would see what you guys think first incase anyone has ideas or if this is a dumb idea so I dont go wasting my time trying it. Maybe it has even been done before.
Anyway, basically the idea is to put a vertical slot on the fence on each side of the blade that accepts the shaft of a clamp.
Attached to the clamp on the outside is a block with wheels or bearings running horizontally. So you you put your piece of wood against the fence, and then tighten the clamp with the block up against it and it provides pressure against the fence but the wheels still allow it to move along.

Heres a poorly drawn diagram but I hope it display what I am talking about.

What do you guys think?

hey edward.
i think it's a great idea, but,
instead of wheels, you might consider using feather boards instead.
i'm thinkin' the wood might get stuck between the wheels as you keep resawing after the first cut.
you know, push push, get stuck, aaarrrggghhh!

Or you could spring-load it or use rubber wheels with some give. But make certain that you've completely adjusted for drift!! Otherwise, you'll have all sorts of issues (and kindling).

You might consider wheels from in-line rollerblades.

Bob

I think your idea will work & 2 wheels are necessary for anything wide say over 5 ". I have had good results with a product called a feather wheal by Stockroom supply. They attatch in the mitre slot.
I tried submitting the link but the mht is not allowed whatever that is.
Just go to stockroomsupply.ca
then products, then drum sanders & scroll down to feather wheals.
MM

_________________
Mike McNerney

Shane Neifer posted some pics of his 'pressure wheels' which are tensioned with a pneumatic ram a few months back- you might find it with a search.
I don't find that it is a lot of trouble hand-holding against the fence, but I don't do a lot of resawing in each session.

Cheers
John

I forgot about the mitre slot, that might also be a good way to make something like this.
Either way its going to take some experimenting.
I saw Shane's device, looks good. I am planning on getting a compressor soon so maybe I will just go all out and make something like that.