Dylanwad Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 I'm looking to buy a router, bandsaw and drill press as I am (finally!) setting a workshop for myself. They need to be decent (do the job they are meant for) but not cost the earth. Something mid priced. I'm based in the UK so the suggestions need to be available here. Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonx Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Best advice I can offer is to buy the biggest and best your budget can possibly stretch to. When looking at the bandsaw, look at the hight and make sure it's enough to run a big blank through, then look at the width, between the blade and the stand and make sure theres enough space to move a guitar body around. Also I suggest make sure it has roller bearing guides. not the plastic ones. I had the plastic ones on mine and they were ****, so I had to buy the roller bearing guides to upgrade. When looking at the router, will need variable speed as I change mine for different timbers. look at adjustablity and how sturdy it is. They are bloody dangerous and you dont want to loose a finger cause you cheaped out on a cheapy router. Drill press, same thing, adjustabilty and POWER. I bought the biggest cheap one I couild find, but if I bought another I would definitely not buy cheap again. It takes ages to drill a hole as it keeps jamming up and slipping all the time. It's just cheap crap. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Bandsaw: Look for power and cutting height. Don't skimp these. A resawing capacity of 7" to 8" should be plenty for guitar building. Drill Press: Look for the distance between the column and the center of the drill point. If you ever build a string through, you'll need the extra capacity of a larger, floor standing drill press. Router: A single speed router mouted in a home built table is the best. I have a Porter Cable and its been a solid performer. Porter Cable has a kit with two bases: the fixed base and plunging. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanwad Posted February 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 How does this look for a bandsaw? http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-awhbs250n-bandsaw-prod804528/ Dust extractor. http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-rdc100h-vacuum-extractor-prod794272/ Still not sure about a router or pillar drill, how much should I look to spend on a decent ones? 1/4" router or 1/2" router? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanwad Posted February 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 This drill press? http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-awbrd550-bench-radial-drill-prod719353/ Or maybe the floor standing version. http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-axminster-awfsrd550-floor-standing-radial-drill-prod719351/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 The bandsaw looks almost exactly like my Craftsman. I've been happy with it so far. That's not to say I wouldn't get a larger one if I were independently wealthy.......but I'm not and this one has done everything I've asked to. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mender Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 If you can stretch your budget, I would suggest you go for a bigger bandsaw than 250mm. I've had small and bandsaws, and haven't been happy with them. I ended up with a second hand 14 inch 3 wheel bandsaw http://www.drapertools.com/products/manuals/36761ins.pdf It isn't bad, but the table is cast aluminium and has dipped slightly in the middle, also it is limited to 139mm depth of cut, and I'd rather have more. In anticipation of having my operation at the end of March so I can start building again, I decided to upgrade to a 14 inch two wheel SIP 01548. This one allows up to 230mm (9 inches), which will be ideal for resawing tops for bookmatching. I got it at a very good price, £418.80, far cheaper than anywhere else http://www.twwholesale.co.uk/product.php/site/froogle/sn/SIP01548 . It should be here on Thursday Full specs: This machine is suitable for most workshop environments. The extra powerful 2hp induction motor on this machine enables it to maintain accuracy and to cut effectively up to its maximum depth. Dual speeds for efficient cutting of all types of wood, plastic and non-ferrous metal plus a large capacity cutting height of 230mm. Motor - 1.5kW (2hp) Supply - 230v (13amp) Throat Width - 340mm Table Size - 550 x 400mm Table Tilt - 0º - 45º Max. Cutting Height - 230mm Blade Length - 2560mm Blade Width - 6 - 25mm 2 Speed - 400 metres/min / 840 metres/min Net Weight - 85kg Packaged Dimensions (HxWxL) - 1260 x 420 x 560mm Quick lock rip fence and Cross-Cut cast heavy duty mitre guide supplied as standard Fully adjustable blade tensioning and tracking - with guide Quick release cam tensioning system Powerful dust extraction facility Rack and pinion rise and fall brass-bearing guide Large cast iron tilting table Supplied with adjustable LED light, stand and heavy duty wheels 0º - 45º table tilt - rack and pinion adjustment I'm really looking forward to making some sawdust at last Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) go for a bigger band saw, you can get away with a bench top drill press. Here is my favorite router: Edited February 5, 2012 by bigdguitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Yeah, I just looked at he pix and didn't check the specs. Mine is bigger than that: 12"- 305mm throat and 175mm re-saw height. I had one the size of what you're looking at once, but a guitar I was building ate it. You're going to want a bigger one. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mender Posted February 5, 2012 Report Share Posted February 5, 2012 Yeah, I just looked at he pix and didn't check the specs. Mine is bigger than that: 12"- 305mm throat and 175mm re-saw height. I had one the size of what you're looking at once, but a guitar I was building ate it. You're going to want a bigger one. SR I looked at several 14 inch bandsaws with 175 - 180mm re-saw height, which would have been big enough, but they were more money that the SIP. There were a few on Ebay second hand, but they seemed to be going for around £380 - £400, hardly any less than I paid for the SIP, and I get a two year standard SIP warranty on mine All I have to do now is re-arrange what I laughingly call my workshop (an old 12 foot caravan) to make room for it along side my 13 inch thicknesser, 6 inch jointer, pedestal drill, router table, belt sander, cupboards, shelves, and drawers. I just hope I end up with enough space to actually get in to do some work in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanwad Posted February 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Would this bandsaw do the trick? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-76236-230-Volt-370-Watt-2-Wheel/dp/B00205HB1O Or this one? It's about 30 miles away from me. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/bandsaws-/290669977279?pt=UK_BOI_Building_Materials_Supplies_Carpentry_Woodwork_ET&hash=item43ad47debf#ht_563wt_1344 Also, when it comes to a pillar drill, how much distance does there need to be between the where the bit goes (chuck?) and the pillar. Most of the ones I've seen look very shallow. I've looked at so many tools buy now I'm even more confused than when I started! :-\ :-[ I've got no idea at all. I've seen talk of 1/2" and 1/4" routers too. What that about? Sorry for all the basic questions, if I can get past this maybe I can start making guitars!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ljbarbeau Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 I'm pretty sure if you don't get at least 8in of resawing capability you will regret it in the long run.... (for bookmatching purpose...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted February 12, 2012 Report Share Posted February 12, 2012 Forget those tiny ones http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BAND-SAW-/250988562120?_trksid=p4340.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26its%3DC%252BS%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6285772285011687507 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylanwad Posted February 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2012 Any one familiar with this saw? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110830491196#ht_500wt_1361 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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