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If I am not planning on re-sawing, is the Delta 9" band saw enough to do the rest? Also, is the Delta 9" drill press adequate including using Wagner Safty Planer?
Thanks alot,

I have a 9" band saw, and until very recently it has gotten me by... but I have never much cared for it. It is not cut out for any precise work, or work that involves cutting thick tough wood... (such as making your own forms.)... but it is ok and should get you started. Just don't plan on that being the last bandsaw you will ever buy.

On the drill press I would go with at least a 12". I have a Delta 12" and wish I had bought one a little bigger.... The 12" is good for most thing though.

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

I have a Rigid drill press floor standing model. It’s a 15" or 16". It cost about $200.00. I love it and recommend it. As for the bandsaw I do not recommend the Delta 9" I recommend checking out the grizzly web site I think they have the best value in bandsaws. I understand that the Delta only cost around $100.00 but in my opinion it is smarter to buy one that you will really be happy with. I’ve heard a lot of bad on the Delta 9".

Check out these 14" bandsaws.

in general, get a tool that will do more than you think you are going to do, because as you start doing things yuor horizons will expand and you will want to do more.

re drill press: the nine is too small and too light to do what you want to do with the satety planer. and the throat is too amall to reach many of the places you are going to want to drill holes. get a 16" or 17".

re band saw: the only small band saws i know of that i would buy by choice for doing just small jobs are a ridiculously expensive swiss model and the small cast iron grizzly. but i would suggest you get a 14" delta or similer. it will outlast you, and is capable of expanding its capacity to do just about everything you might possibly need to do in guitar making.   

and do not limit yourself to thinking only in terms of a new tool. unlike handheld powertools which are prone to suffer from heavy handed use, good quality stationary tools will literally last a lifetime of heavy usage and there are bargains to be had by buying used. at worst about all that is likely to be wrong with one is a worn bearing. if you decide to go into the used market spent $20 and get a dial indicater and mag base from enco so you can measure runouts, eccentricity etc. the indicator/base will have plenty of uses later on as   well.
crazymanmichael38480.5005439815

Go for at least a 12" drill press, I think the 9" will probably be underbuilt and be too small. I have the Delta 12" benchtop model and it has done everything I ever needed it to do. Don't skimp on your tools, this is the advice I was given and am glad I listened. A small benchtop bandsaw on the other hand is not a bad investment, but look for at least a 12" throat. Plan on using it for cutting out backs and tops and other small jobs. You can always buy a larger bandsaw later if you plan on re-sawing. A large and small bandsaw are nice since changeing blades on bandsaws are a bit of a pain.

I agree with the others, if your looking for an affordable bandsaw go with Grizzly. I bought the 14inch with a riser kit and it's great. When you goto a low end delta the only difference from a grizzly is the price and the blue paint

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CVT Inc.
A tour of our shop (Somewhat outdated)
My Personal eBay profile. BCWoodBug

Thank you all so much. Exactly the info. I am looking for.

Hopefully the Grizzly quality control has improved since I bought my bandsaw. When I visited there showroon in Bellingham, WA I wasn't impressed. Even the saws that they had set up as demos needed quite a bit of intial attention to get them to the level of a Delta or Jet out of the box. This combined with my earlier experiences of dealing with their telephone customer service left me looking elswhere. I ended up with the Jet 14" over the Delta based on price and calling there customer support.

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg

bob

if you are thinking bandsaws and want some good information about the 14" delta/jet saws go to iturra design's site. he has some very revealing comparisons as well as excellent general information.

Look for used stuff too. I started with the Delta 9" bandsaw and it got me through #1 and #2 though I really hated it at times. Then I found a Chinese made 14" in the paper for $150 and ened up paying $125

The little drill press is a pain as well. I started with it too and recently went to a bigger unit.

Buy once cry once.

I have the Delta 9" bandsaw. It's nice to have a bandsaw, and it's fine on the real thin stuff (tops, sides, etc), but it clearly has its limitations. anything thicker than an inch is a real chore. I have resawn some 3" hardwood with it to make rosettes and it can be done but you won't get anywhere near a straight line so there's lots of clean up to do afterwards. But if springing for a real bandsaw is out of the question for now these little ones do have their place.

I have the Jet 12" and love it. Quite a bit cheaper than the 14, but pretty much the same saw. If you aren't going to resaw wide boards its just fine.

Whatever you have or buy, look at Timberwolf blades. Makes a world of difference in your saw.

Michael,
I cannot find webb address or site of articles.

bob

sorry;f
forgot to mention he is a throwback like me, i.e. doesn't have a web site.

you can call him him at 888-722-7078, fax 904-642-2802 and email kalll@aol.com.

he's a very approachable bloke, good to talk to. he snail mails the article on 14" bandsaws. if you ask he may email it, i don't know. but i recommend getting it and digesting before you part with your dollars.

and again i would emphasize the benefits of looking at the used market. know a fellow up this way who picked up a delta 20" bandsaw on a bid from the school board for $200. it needed a new belt. there are bargains to be had if you take the time to look.

I agree with the others, I saw you mentioned the wagner safety planer, It's a good tool but you definitely want a large drill press. I have one and I use to use it in my small 9" drill press and I could never plane all the way to the center on my backs especially in the lower bout, and I build classicals not those big dread acoustics. I finally broke down and bought a floor model and I couldn't be happier! I wish I would of went with the floor model in the beginning, I use it all the time.

Michael, thank you and thank you to all.

Bob:
Watch the newspaper for local auctions. You can oftentimes get some real bargins if you don't mind used equipment. I got a 1960's model Delta 14" bandsaw for $60.00 at a yardsale and a 12" table top drill press for $50.00 at another sale. The older tools are often better made than some of the newer stuff.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com