Official Luthiers Forum!

HI -

I am pretty close to buying the Delta 14" from Lowes. It is a 3/4 hp - I was hoping to occasionally resaw, as I like to use found wood. I read some negative reviews about it on Amazon, from when it first came out - but lately the reviews have been good. I will be using it for all luthiery work. Brace cutting, purfling cutting and rosette log cutting.
I would also like to resaw 6" stock if needed, maybe once a year... I don't mind going slow while doing this, nor do I mind setting it up properly and changing the guides etc... and the blade. Keep in mind this is the cheaper Delta model - not made in USA.

Any opinions ?



Also the plan may be that if I do resaw more, I can get the riser kit and upgrade the motor to a 1hp or 1.5 hp.



Or am I better off getting a better quality 10" band saw ?

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

that's what i've got and i love it. it's no wood hog or anything - but it does the trick. i've also got a kreg fence for it which is really slick. next up will either be cool blocks or the lift kit (riser block).
about using it to resaw, you should check in with tony karol about that. i believe he uses a pretty light saw for his resawing and likes it. you might need a beefier tension spring, but i think it'll get a bit of resawing done.
from the little i know of bandsaws, having a low powered saw set up right is better than a powerful saw set up poorly. so no matter what saw you buy, expect to spend some time worrying about the small stuff before it works properly for you.
phil

Thanks Todd. Thanks for the list by the way - looks very good - my other thread related to this one was me looking for a good 10" saw. But it seemed like I will want to move the 14" fairly quickly. I got a great price on this one - $250.00 - new - so I jumped on it. The Rikon would be great - but I don;t want to part with the $$$ right now.
So this saw is actually my step up from my initial thought of a 10". I hope I made the right choice, I just paid for it. I am happy it comes with a 2 year warranty
I doubt I will go for a riser kit. I would be just as happy resawing 6" stock and making 3 piece or 4 piece backs.
I just sold my Craftsman air compressor that was collecting dust and used the money to pay for the saw. I will pick it up tomorrow.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

You'll be one heck of a lot happier with this saw than the 10" one you were contemplating John.

I think at $250 you'll have no trouble selling the saw for very close to what you paid should you decide in the future to upgrade.

I started off with a Harbor Freight 14" on sale and with 20% off and it was more of a piece of junk that all of the trash in my trash can. Luckily I sold it for very close to what I bought it for and upgraded to the Rikon 14" deluxe. I love the Rikon and for now it's more than enough for my needs.

Good luck with your new saw, and enjoy!

_________________
Thanks,
Blain

http://www.ullrichguitar.com

"89.67% of all statistics are made up on the spot."

I've got that Delta. It's a good saw. I don't re saw with mine. I have access to a huge 3 phase saw for occasional re sawing. I believe you'll be alot happier with it that you would have been with a 10".

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Todd -

Thanks ! I will probably build the solid closed stand - good idea. Man I am glad I got the 14" - spoke to the wife and told her I am selling my air compressor, listed two days ago on Craigslist & sold in 24 hours, and purchasing a band saw, just about the same size. No problem.
I picked it up this morning ! I will be ordering Timberwolf blades from Suffolk. Any suggestions - I need one blade for resaw and the other for intricate work, ie cutting soundboards, headstock shapes etc.... without tearing wood.
I will be picking up the cool blocks next time I am in Woodcraft or when I order the blades. Wow - band saw is a hobby in itself ! need to make a few kid toys to keep the family happy.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

What is the difference between your closed base and just closing the stand I have with plywood ? I can use it as a cabinet to store blades as well. Putting plywood on the sides will also add strength.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

It is a good idea to read Lonnie Bird's Bandsaw Book before buying a saw. I was going to buy a Delta a few years ago, but after reading his book I went out and got a Laguna 16HD. Couldn't be happier, but I wish I had waited a year longer, when the exchange rate was at par.

Bob

Even tougher to beat it at $249.00 - plus it keeps the home life happy and I have a little left over from selling my air compressor to put into good blades and cool blocks.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX