javacody Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 I would appreciate your opinions, as its time for me to buy a small saw of some type. I don't care for the results of my jigsaw for sawing bodies (waaaay too much sanding). Sorry for the typo above, that should be band saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_A_T_T Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 I think even the smallest bandsaw would be an improvement over a scrollsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~john~ Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 I looked into both and went for a bandsaw, once ou get past setting it up it really is a good tool to have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksound Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 I just ordered a Wes Special Delta 9" bandsaw from Amazon (even with shipping, still cheaper than buying it local). It'll be here in a day or so, so we'll see how it goes. By the way, I got this 6 piece 1/4" shank router bit set yesterday. We'll see how far my 20 bucks goes ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
araz Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 ... I don't care for the results of my jigsaw for sawing bodies (waaaay too much sanding). Have you thought about using a router with a flush trim bit with the bearing riding on the template? This makes a much nicer countour and is much less stressful than following a pencil line with a jigsaw. If I remember correctly, GuitarFrenzy used this technic in his guitar building tutorial. Let me know if you don't know what I'm talking about and I'll find it for you. Araz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfcoast Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 As I have both types of saws I can say that the bandsaw wins hands down for cutting the body and neck shapes out. The scroll saw has a hard time (I say this because I tried it) cutting the shapes out straight through a 1.5 inch thick block of mahogany. I will say the scroll saw has come in handy for other things but I would definitely get the bandsaw before the scrollsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hughes Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 If you don't have a router to flush trim the edges, I'd say scroll saw since the blades can bend and work around tight edges whereas a bandsaw just stops running if you take a tight turn so thats why you SHOULD have a router if you have a bandsaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegarehanman Posted February 12, 2006 Report Share Posted February 12, 2006 I disagree. I can make some pretty tight turns with my bands. With the right blade and a decent setup, mine can cut an LP horn with ease. However, my routers are, by far, some of the most indespensible tools in my shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnewman Posted February 14, 2006 Report Share Posted February 14, 2006 An 1/8" band saw blade can cut a 1/4" radius curve. That should be fine for anything on most guitars, and an extra blade only costs about $10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryovanni Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I have both. My Bandsaw is great. I use 1/8",1/4" and 3/4" blades and can do tight curves to 12" re-saw. My scroll saw is great for light duty fine cuts. It is nice to not have to switch bandsaw blades for a small task. If I had to choose one. It without hesitation would be the Bandsaw. A 14" Bandsaw w/riser block, 1-1/2hp, nice guides cool block or Carter bearing, and good quality blades is a really great tool(that will get plenty of use). Peace,Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitey Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 so how much is a small band saw? and roughly how big? i thought that they were arongd £500 plus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_A_T_T Posted February 19, 2006 Report Share Posted February 19, 2006 so how much is a small band saw? and roughly how big? i thought that they were arongd £500 plus! A £500 saw will be huge, probably. A 'small' bandsaw will sit on a workbench and have a capacity of at least 8" wide and 3" thick, and will cost maybe £100, but I'm not sure exactly how much british pounds are or what the market is like over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitey Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 wow,i was always put off by starting a body from scratch,i've just bought rough outlines on ebay well i guess i will look into a small bandsaw for the summer projects lol thanks oh,will they be able to handle the thick guitar bodies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted February 21, 2006 Report Share Posted February 21, 2006 wow,i was always put off by starting a body from scratch,i've just bought rough outlines on ebay well i guess i will look into a small bandsaw for the summer projects lol thanks oh,will they be able to handle the thick guitar bodies? Depends on the wood and the power of the bandsaw, really. Check the max depth of cut, and you'll want a good bit more than your max if at all possible. The larger the wheels, the less stress on the blade (no tight bends), and the more power, the smoother the cut. Also, from what I understand, the thing that seperates an OK saw from a great saw is a good setup, so I'd consider getting a book on bandsaw setup and tuning. I'm still trying to find the space for a nice Scheppach, MiniMax or similar, but so far, no luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitey Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 ah ok,thanks,summer is fast approaching,so i would like to have one for then i will ask my grandpa about them,he is a handy man. thanks mattia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarfrenzy Posted March 11, 2006 Report Share Posted March 11, 2006 If your on a budget the Delta 9" bandsaw is the best for the money. I tend to agree with Wes, it's the only small bandsaw I'd recommend. It's suprisingly strong for it's size. A scroll saw is great for cutting out templates, etc., but if I only had to have one, it'd be a bandsaw, handsdown. That's just my opinion though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
javacody Posted March 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2006 Guitarfrenzy, your comment pushed me over the edge. I was at the Woodsmith shop today and saw a Delta 9" saw for $99 bucks and went home with it. I've got it put together and my job this weekend is to follow the manual very carefully and set it up. Thanks to everyone for your advice and sharing your experiences. I appreciate it! While I was there, I also picked up a flush cut saw, a two handed Microplane shaper for making necks, two pieces of birdseye maple (only $13!!) and a piece of indian rosewood (only $11!), all neck sized blanks. I love that store. I wish I could live there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.