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Well , the good news is : My bud Al dropped by tonight after he had went shopping for a digital camera, he also brought me some goodies!

Yup, a bran new trimaster blade for my bandsaw, oil for my fretboard, system 3 epoxy samples for my guitar and a nice plank of some nice zoot that we don't even know the name, the brown plank right beside the big maple slab! Yeeeeee haw, life is great! here are some pics







Thanks again bud!

Now the bad news:

We decided to try out the new blade and all went fine when the the cutting height was 1 1/2" but higher then that and the bandsaw was making a scary noise when starting it up. After a half hour of playing with the tension and adjusting everything, we found the problem, the pulley's bolt that pushes some kind of pin onto the shaft had broken inside the threads! it's the second time a freaking bolt breaks inside it's thread since i bought that saw, the first one was on the blade guide assembly, Dang ! I hope RIDGIDare quick with customer service because tonight, the way i felt, i could have just grabbed the bandsaw by one arm and thrown it in a dumpster Stupid Murphy

My pleasure dude! It really is too bad about the bandsaw, though. I'm sure you'll have that thing fixed in no time flat. We'll be makin' sawdust, have no fear!   

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

That sucks Serge. I sure hope you can get it fixed up soon.

Aren't buds great

Nice looking maple there guys. The other piece looks like some sort of mahogany from here but I'm not sure.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Thanks Rod, found a certificate of warranty at home, will give eem a call tomorrow, i just wish i had more money, ied get me a Laguna too!

For the plank, mahog would make sense , judging by the color and it has nice streaks of brown in it. I'll try to have better pics of it tomorrow!

[quote]a bran new trimaster blade for my bandsaw, oil for my fretboard, system 3 epoxy samples for my guitar and a nice plank of some nice zoot [/quote]

Wow! Looks like Santa came in july! Pretty Maple! Are you going to make a guitar with it?   

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I imagine the folks at Ridgid feel much the same as you do when something like a bolt breaks, 'cause they got stiffed by their bolt supplier. Now it not only costs them a couple of bucks to replace it, but their customer satisfaction suffers, too. They seem to be trying hard to make good tools at good prices, so don't give up on them yet!

Well guys, this morning i woke up relaxed and not as angry as i was last night and phoned RIDGID and they reassured me that i was covered by the warranty since i registered my product online which was a clever thing to do on my part! Ahem! I then called Home depot in Ottawa where i purchased the bandsaw and talked to the duty manager there and explained to him what happened and he said he'd have the saw back for full refund. Me and my wife's son Claude loaded the bandsaw into my van and off to Home depot where i asked to have the meanest, baddest and biggest beast in the store but all they had was a tiny delta 14". We then looked in their catalogs and found this:

http://www.deltamachinery.com/index.asp?e=136&p=904

and this

http://www.deltamachinery.com/index.asp?e=136&p=906

The price range is about $2100 and i have no choice but to stay with Home depot for credit purposes so that's the best bandsaws they could come up with.

The Delta 28-640 has a single phase motor and the 28-641 has a 3 phase motor, i don't know what that means in terms of electricity needs, does it mean i need a 220v plugg for a 3 phase motor? If so, that would mean that i'd have to buy the 28-640. Which one of the 2 should i buy please? TIA

Serge

They both need 220V Serge. Some one with more electrical knowledge than should answer the single/3 phase difference.

Where are you Bruce

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My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Hey Serge, I was also thinking that HD sould give you a full refund, money back in your pocket.

If your going to spend that kind of money, there are better options out there for you.

Check out House of tools

Or King Canada

Or Tool Center .com

And don't forget the

OLF Tool shed

There's lots of options out there bud.Rod True38906.6295601852

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Hey Serge-

Sorry about the bandsaw man. If you get a new one, you'll have to get the single phase motor unless you are wired for 3 phase. Some businesses are wired 3 phase but most homes aren't.

I agree with Rod about shopping around. The Delta 28-640 does look nice but you could call up Laguna and see if they have any rebuilt bandsaws or any deals on a particular model. I have called (1.800.234.1976 sales rep or 1.800.332.4094 customer service) and talked to the owner, Torben - he's a great guy. He is the kind of guy that, if asked, will cut you a deal on a bandsaw just because you took the time to call him. Take a chance and see if Laguna can make you a deal on something nice.

Take a good look at their website and see what looks good to you and then call them up. It would be sweet if you ended up with a Laguna for the cost of what you were going to spend on a lesser Delta. I just looked at their website and they have a demo model Minimax 16" bandsaw for US$1395.00/$1552.91 CAD. They have a great deal on shipping too. I will paste below their webpage about Canadian shipping:

"Hello Fellow Woodworker,

We are factory direct to all of Canada from our Irvine California Office. This keeps our prices factory direct without the high cost of dealer mark-up.

Laguna Tools ships a container of machinery, at the end of each month to Coquitlam BC, and Mississauga Ontario, with each customers order for that month. These shipments arrive in Canada the first week of the following month.

By doing it this way, Laguna Tools pays the freight to these two locations for you, as well as clearing the border, duties, customs, and brokerage fees. You do not have to pay for, or deal with this. We do it all for you!

Freight is only charged for shipment from these two locations, and only if required. All machinery under 2000 lbs that does ship from these two locations will be delivered with a lift-gate truck so you will not have to get your machine out of the truck.

Customers close enough to these two terminals are not charged any freight, but only a $25 US Funds terminal fee for paperwork processing. Terminals are open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and will assist in any machinery being picked up.

Laguna Tools collects pickup fees and/or freight charges and submits these charges for you.

All our prices are in US Funds. Canadian price is based on the current daily exchange rate set by the bank of Canada. The daily exchange rate can be viewed at: http://www.x-rates.com"

Let us know what you buy dude-

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

Too bad about your bandsaw Serge. And you were so happy with it when you bought it!Well,I would say to get your refund and check out the places Rod suggested. Good Luck with it Serge.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Sorry to hear about the saw, Serge. A big delta should be fine, but you do need to stay with a single phase motor.

So far I've managed to not open an account with HD or Lowes cause I'm afraid I'd max it out in a couple of days .

Sounds like you mean that you didn't get a cash refund, just got the account credited, so you're stuck at HD.

That saw could have been just a fluke, you could try replacing it with one just like it.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

[quote]Take a good look at their website and see what looks good to you and then call them up. It would be sweet if you ended up with a Laguna for the cost of what you were going to spend on a lesser Delta. I just looked at their website and they have a demo model Minimax 16" bandsaw for US$1395.00/$1552.91 CAD. They have a great deal on shipping too. I will paste below their webpage about Canadian shipping: [/quote]

That looks like a good deal especially with the shipping, but that saw is also 220v if you are talking about this one http://www.lagunatools.com/lt16.htm.   I have a 12" Delta and would like to upgrade to a 16", but I only have 110v.

Thanks for the great support and input guys, i really don't know what to do at this point, it seems, like Ron said, that i'm stuck with HD because of their credit card that they refunded the $500 some bucks on but would have to spend it there instead of being refunded with cash money which is a PITA but i still have access to an old 14" Delta(without a riser block) from a friend of mine, i think i'm gonna use his and gather money to get me a Laguna later. The HD card will be useful if i need smaller tools or whatever from there!

Rod, Many Thanks, i'm gonna check them all out to see if they have something strong with cast iron wheels that could be plugged to 120v!

John, thank you very much too, i'm gonna save your post in case i'd decide to go with them, like Don said, if it's good enough for the zootman, it should be good enough for me also! Laguna seems to have the love quotes nowadays!

Thanks Dave, it's a lil setback but might just be a blessing and somethin' better is about to show up i guess!

Thanks Todd, do you know if there are any 14" bandsaws with cast iron wheels instead of cast aluminum? I'd rather wait and save to buy me one great saw that will last way longer than the one i returned after just 3 months, i had my lesson on power tools, i'd rather pay twice the amount and get the quality.

Graham, looks like we're in the same situation, i just wish we could run them Lagunas on 110 v, even the 14" at $995 is very attractive but still works on 220v, Dang!

Serge, whay is 220 a problem?

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Mike, i don't know if i could have a 220v machine plugged into a 120v outlet, the electrical in my shop is not that much, i would have to pay a certified electrician to wire it for 220v but i would need a permission from my boss and since i do not pay for hydro, i feel it would be too much ambition and nerve to ask that fron him, i'm spoiled enough to have a shop right now so...

I'd see if your friend would sell you that old Delta... Those are great machines. I fixed up my friends '46 Delta to use, it was fun taking it apart and putting it back together, all the pieces just fit right and were high quality, nothing flimsy about it. Some of the guys over at OWWM.com (old woodworking machines) have restored old saws like that, fresh paint and everything. When/if I get a proper shop (not an upstairs bedroom) with proper electrical, I'll probably be shopping around for an old Delta.

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Jonathan Kendall, Siloam Springs AR

Serge, sorry about your bandsaw blues!

Now on this Delta, it's been discontinued by the manufacturer. It's a 20 inch Hoss of a Bandsaw, are you sure you want to get into resawing this badly? I think you'd be happy with something that doesn't weigh in at 700 pounds.

One phase, 230 V is the rating and it's a 2 Horsepower. I think something comparable in a Laguna will run a bit more.

Laguna has improved their saws in two ways since I purchased mine, ceramic guides made by Laguna, and Baldor Motors made in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. I've heard great things on both counts.

My saw has updated Euroguides with the Italian motor on the Italian saw. Torben being Swedish, I believe, but don't be confused, his bandsaw is Italian. I like mine a bunch. I have a 2HP 220V unit, 18 inch. Eighteen is the magic number for proper use of carbide blades by the way. But I've heard of some folk running them on a 17.

Good luck, it's a tough decision when you are trying to determine which saw to buy with your kid's lunch money.



Link to the saw on Amazon.comDickey38906.8771759259

Serge Sorry to hear about your bad experience with your bandsaw. If you buy a new one, buy the single phase one. I don't know about your neck of the woods, but in the lower 48 3 phase power is only available in commercially, or industrial zoned areas, and never in residential. If you have a breaker (or fuse) panel in your shop, you probably allready have 220 volt power, and it just needs the proper wiring and plug to use it. If your panel is remotely located, the 220 will be there, and the cable will just need to be longer. Find an electrician that plays guitar, and mabe you can work a deal.

Al

Serge, following along with what APeebels wrote above, single phase 208-240 or in between vs. 110-120 actually pulls less amps and is more energy efficient. Running a 1-2 HP motor on 120 in other words cost more in operational costs than the same using 220 single phase. It is just a matter of wiring from your panel in the shop. Your boss may come up and give you a big kiss on the mouth!

I work with all kinds of electric submersible pumps for large fountains up to 25hp, circulation systems and watergardens of all sizes and types. It is interesting to see the differences in energy usage and cost going from 120 to 220SF to 2203P and on to 4403P. The amp pull drops at every step up running the same size electric motor.

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Mike
White Oak, Texas

Thanks Jon and Bruce, i might look into Delta even more, they've been around for quite a while, it will wait a bit though, i will just fix my friend's bandsaw,now that i have more experience with them toys!

Thanks Al and Mike! The big problem i have now is that i don't have any electrical box right in the shop, the electrical panel is situated in the hallway, 2 apartments down from where my shop is, all i have is the single outlet that was there on the wall and another one that's hooked from the light fixture! I think i should just stay with the same size machine, thinking of it, i just need a machine that has quality parts, might not need that big of a beast after all!

Sorry to burst the bubble, but a machine wired for 220V does NOT use any less power than the same machine wired for 110V. Yes it draws less amps, but it draws it on TWO legs of the phase in your house, as opposed to a 110V devise which will draw double, but only on one leg. The total amps drawn is the same. The wiring may not get as hot and there might be some savings in a bit of loss there, but its minimal - inless you have like a 200 foot run from the panel to the plug.

Exactly what are you planning to do Serge - go into the resaw business ??? I have a 3/4 hP 110V Delta 14 inch with riser, and have cut a LOT of back and side sets on it - tops too - probably more than you would use in the next 20 years. It has never broken down, or even really slowed down for that matter. Its a good saw for the 750 I paid for it. You go slow, you use the right blade, and it works great.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Thanks Tony, i was back at HD today and was debating if i was gonna buy the exact same saw you have, the only things that stopped me were those cast aluminum wheels and other parts that i'm not sure of. I was probably just having bad luck with the RIDGID, maybe it was built on a friday by guys who couldn't wait to punch the clock and head for the nearest bar! Having 2 bolts breaking in their threads, one by itself or vibration got me worried about those saws, but i might just be paranoid!

I don't know what to do at the moment, wisdom tells me to wait and use my friend's old delta 14" from the 40's or 50's since i don't run a tonewood business and only need a bandsaw occasionaly, but when i'll buy another one, it will be top quality for the bucks i'll pay, i hate spending money on tools that break so easily, if Alain had not been there with me, that saw would have made a flyin' exercise!

I might also buy a used one and recondition it , all options are on the table, time will tell...

Thanks bud!

I now know why I depend upon electricians to do the box and wiring, I see in our spec sheets we give to the electricians that the 220V 1/2 HP draws 3 amps and the 120V 1/2HP draws 6 amps..........1/2, was not aware about the two legs, thanks for the info, I always thought it dropped the pull, learn something new everyday.

Mike
White Oak, Texas