Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 22, 2010 at 2:08am

I have one and find it indispensable, but that is only because for my builds, I need it. You don't need one, but if your designs require intricate woodwork, I would suggest it.

I own a Ryobi 9" bandsaw and use a fine tooth blade. <$200 and worth every penny. Others will say get a wider one (+9") and they're right, but for 95% of what I see you do, 9" will fit the bill.

I will also suggest a drill press and some cheap forstner bits. Get them at Harbor Freight (ones nearest you is either I-95 Florence SC, Charleston or Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington. I WOULD NOT buy a band saw there tho -- nor any other power tools.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on January 22, 2010 at 4:43am

I have a router/table,tablesaw,small bandsaw (9in) about 5 drills, and a tablesander that I dont know how I'd work without. plus other stuff scattered around. I use a couple of drills in my builds so I can have a drill ready to go with a right bit loaded when I reach for it,and another drill loaded with a phillips driver bit, ready to rock when I reach for it.
Other then the drills, I use my new 14 in bandsaw more then any other tools I own.Recently I noticed my tablesaw is covered in junk because I stopped using it for most anything.
If I had it to do all over again ,I would have skipped the router table altogether,I Never use it.When I bought it I thought I Would be using it constantly,it looked so cool watching people route stuff.Didnt work out that way for me.SO its sitting in the back of the shop drawing dust too.
That 14 in bandsaw is by FAR my most used and favorite tool.

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Permalink Reply by HOGS GRUNT on January 22, 2010 at 4:55am

Couldn't agree more with what has already been said.
If you get one you will not be disappointed.
Hogs

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on January 22, 2010 at 5:28am

I don't have one, but I sure wish I did.... I do have a scroll-saw, which is nice for cutting smaller stuff like fingerboards and bridges....It won't handle heavier material.

I'm stuck with cutting out larger pieces with a skilsaw, making sure they're a bit "too big", and then rasping, filing, and sanding them down to final size.

Tedious...

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Permalink Reply by Tim on January 22, 2010 at 9:13am

a band saw is one of those things that one day when i can aford a good one i will buy but until then i will make do i personaly dont see a use for one of those small bench top jobs a jig saw and coping saw do just fine for me. now i think i would get a lot of use out of a scroll saw.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on January 22, 2010 at 10:17am

I think you will love having a bandsaw.

I have a benchtop Delta bandsaw (I think a 12"?). It's a bit underpowered for guitars, but generally ok for CBG's. If I was starting from scratch, and could afford it, I would get a 14" on it's own stand.

My other main power tools are a benchtop belt sander and drill press, both also Delta. The benchtop belt sander has a disc sander that is wobbly and so pretty much useless. I've tried to fix it by taking it apart and finding a screw to tighten or whatever the problem is, but haven't had success. Again sometimes this model seems a bit underpowered for the projects I am doing. I often wish it was longer for necks. The belt size is 4" x 36".

The bench top drill press has been just fine.

I don't use the router much.

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Permalink Reply by THENUGE on January 22, 2010 at 3:13pm

i bought a craftsman 10 inch for 169 bucks on sale and i love it..it is pretty solidly built, but the blade size is uncommon and sears is the only place i have seen them

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Permalink Reply by rockcity on January 23, 2010 at 1:56am

Thank you everyone for your input I think I will go shopping for a band saw in the next few days..

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 23, 2010 at 6:01am

Remember, it's not the size of the saw, it's how you use it ;-)

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on January 23, 2010 at 6:52am

I dont know Wes,,,, There was a world of difference between my 9 in bandsaw and my 14 in bandsaw.The big saw is much easier to control as far as getting the cuts you want and getting it FAST!
Speed is important to me when I'm doing a session of rough cutting 5 to 9 necks at a time.I havent fired up my little 9 in since I 1st tried out the new 14 inch.In fact I've been thinking about selling the 9 inch.
But as you say, if your not in a hurry you can get a good cut from a 9 inch if your careful.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 23, 2010 at 7:54am

Psssst, you missed that one Roger ;-)

"it's not the size that counts..."

Cheers

-WY

Roger Martin said:

I dont know Wes,,,, There was a world of difference between my 9 in bandsaw and my 14 in bandsaw.The big saw is much easier to control as far as getting the cuts you want and getting it FAST!
Speed is important to me when I'm doing a session of rough cutting 5 to 9 necks at a time.I havent fired up my little 9 in since I 1st tried out the new 14 inch.In fact I've been thinking about selling the 9 inch.
But as you say, if your not in a hurry you can get a good cut from a 9 inch if your careful.

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Permalink Reply by Jerryrig240 on January 23, 2010 at 10:01am

For very nice rounded necks from thick blanks of wood....i would say yes, I want a bandsaw myself, but it;s just not in the budget right now. I had a hard time trying to get the right depth of neck inserts in side of boxes. Now, I just cut out my noches in the box, add my neck and make it level with the lid of my box and glue on a peice of thin oak from home depot, only around 3 dollars. It gives the perfect height for string clearence. With this said and done, my necks are very plain jane, but they work.

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