Official Luthiers Forum!

Wondering what anyone with experience with these has to say about one in pretty good condition for $400 on my local Craigs List. It's actually in very good condition but I'm thinking that $300 would be a more fair price.

I'm looking for a band saw good enough to resaw for back and side sets. My current set up only has a 6in height. Most of the material I have for resawing is only 4.5in anyway so I've been able to do it and get 3 or 4 piece backs. But it's getting old and ragged and I know these saw's have a good reputation.

I really envy you guys being able to get 14" deltas at less than 400 dollars. The least I pay for 14" bandsaw is 800 dollars for a new one (like Steel City). I would have jumped on it.

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

If it has the riser block kit and at least a 1 hp motor, his asking price may be reasonable. The 14" delta is good for occasional resawing but if you intend for this to be it's main purpose a bigger saw would be a better choice. The 14" delta is a good all around bandsaw. I paid $500 for mine brand new many years ago , but I haven't kept up with the current pricing.

My 2 cents , hold out for a bigger BS thatcan resaw well to 8in min.

I have an 28-245 I bought new back in 92 or so. It's a great saw, I added the riser kit and with a good blade it resaws fine.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Thanks for your opinions. I'll sit back and watch it and if it gets reduced then think about it. After the old crappy saw I have any one would probably seem like it's incredible.

What blade Todd?
(I typically use Vikings
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 1036,41037
but maybe this would be better on my delta clone - never tried 5/8"
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 1036,41037)

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Dave
Milton, ON

Thanks Todd (...my wallet just groaned.)

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Dave
Milton, ON

Cool, thanks for the review Todd.

I am a semi retired woodworking teacher - 30 years ago a 14" Delta would be a great machine with a riser setup. We have 3 newer ones in the shop I teach in now - (bought by previous teachers). In my opinion pieces of junk. Delta has gone through so many ownership changes that I wouldn't recommend any of their tools. I have a 17" Grizzly at school (will be ordering one more for next year) and a 14" Grizzly in my home workshop. Great machines, well built - I recently resawed some 10" ash on the 14" - and it was a piece of cake. For a few dollars more, get a better machine. Fine Woodworking rates both machines a best buy.

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Ken Bremer
Madison, Wisconsin
http://www.bremerguitar.blogspot.com

I notice on many 14" bandsaws there are those Delta cast iron designs, then there are welded steel designs like what all 18" bandsaws are made from. Is single piece welded steel better than cast iron, all things being equal?

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Ditto what Todd said - I have a 28-280 and have done basically the same upgrades he mentioned (probably looking over his shoulder). At this point, I'm happy with the saw running a 1/2" Trimaster, but, in terms of resawing exotics, it wasn't worth a hoot until the 2 HP Baldor motor was added. I've undoubtedly spent more money on the saw altogether than I would have spent on a somewhat larger steel frame saw to start with.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu