Thread: Bandsaw advice

Originally Posted by LivingHistory

If you are making scales I would think a scroll saw might be better

I thought so too, at first, but if I have a piece of wood that needs to be re-sawed, I won't be able to do that on a scroll saw. And I have a table saw, but the kerf of the blade would eat practically a whole other set of scales I could have gotten out of the material, I'm thinking.

But you are right, the scroll saw would be nice for doing the profile cut outs. I figured a band saw would be too and I'd have more capability.

Originally Posted by spacetoast

I've been thinking about getting a bandsaw lately and I was wondering if you all had some advice on what to look for in one. I don't want to spend tons of money, but I have a feeling that the $99 Ryobi might be lacking in certain areas. I'm hoping to spend about $300.

What are some things to look for in a bandsaw that someone not totally familiar with them might miss? I'm guessing that having a rip fence would be a good idea. Any other attributes?

I have one of those Ryobi`s and let me tell you they are lacking in every area

Kind regards Peter

The advice given to me when I was looking to buy my bandsaw was go for the largest motor and largest wheels you can afford, as you will always want to cut something bigger.

I went for a 1.1hp motor and 14" diameter wheels. It cost more than I originally budgeted for, but I have never once regreted buying it, as it will cope with anything that I have yet to cut, from timber 7" thick to cutting veneers around 1mm.

Oh, and avoid 3 wheel bandsaws.

Hi Curtis,

Let me know when you start turning out some scales, I'm not too far from Golden.

Thanks,
Neale

But you will lose alot from resawing also because the blade rarelly cuts perfectly straight then you need some way to flatten i.e. a thickness planer or drum sander or both. whne its all said the kerf you lose on the band saw is pretty close to what you lose by resawing and planeing.Plus theres the cost of the bandsaw. Unless you are resawing cocobola or other exotic woods you could lose alot of sawdust before you break even on a band saw that is decent. OTH ifin you also want a woodworking shop then you need a band saw planer and a performax drumsander with a dust collector not a shop vac. ;-)

Originally Posted by LivingHistory

OTH ifin you also want a woodworking shop then you need a band saw planer and a performax drumsander with a dust collector not a shop vac. ;-)

That's what I'm talking about!

It looks like me buying a bandsaw is going to be put on hold for a little while, at least. Which is a bummer, but the reason is actually a pretty cool one. My wife and I are under contract to buy a 2,600 sq. ft. building on some land to move our business into. We also have our first kid on the way due in June. So there are some pretty major expenses coming up.

But, I guess I can start out with not-too-expensive materials and re-saw them on the table saw, or buy nicer material pre-sawn to thickness.

I do think that I might visit harbor freight and get one of those small benchtop 1" belt sanders, though. I think they run less than $50.

Padron, I'll let you know. I hope I'll have some time to work on them. I have some blades without scales that look like good candidates for restoration.