I have a...well.....limited budget for tool buy.

[fanlee]

Hi. I find manual fret slotting drugery....like hand washing clothes or dishes...so I've been looking at powered options . Basically I've seen clearly described methods using table saws band saws and sliding drop saws. There are machines avaliable all within the $500.00 + or - range.

As I understand it band saws are the bees kness, but for < $500 it would be bottom end & small : SYDNEY TOOLS - Carba-Tec 10'' Wood Cutting Band Saws

I would really only be using it for guitar building and certainly not full time. Would a band saw like the one pictured be big enough to do other things like slice a top ie for bookmatching & cutting the body outline? The specs mean nothing to me. I would rather spend the money to get the most versatile result.

Wouls a table saw be a better purchase at this price point? or the drop saw - (which seems to me to be too specialised)?

All advice welcom & appreciated.

Regards,
Rob.

[Baz1000]

Hi. I find manual fret slotting drugery....like hand washing clothes or dishes...so I've been looking at powered options . Basically I've seen clearly described methods using table saws band saws and sliding drop saws. There are machines avaliable all within the $500.00 + or - range.

As I understand it band saws are the bees kness, but for < $500 it would be bottom end & small : SYDNEY TOOLS - Carba-Tec 10'' Wood Cutting Band Saws

I would really only be using it for guitar building and certainly not full time. Would a band saw like the one pictured be big enough to do other things like slice a top ie for bookmatching & cutting the body outline? The specs mean nothing to me. I would rather spend the money to get the most versatile result.

Wouls a table saw be a better purchase at this price point? or the drop saw - (which seems to me to be too specialised)?

All advice welcom & appreciated.

Regards,
Rob.

Rob, have a peek at my youtube clip Fret slots by Bandsaw.m4v - YouTube A bandsaw for making stringed instruments is a must. There are so many processes that can be accomplished with this very versatile machine

Regards
Baz

[Baz1000]

The bandsaw you have linked to is plenty big enough to do most processes. However, if you want to re-saw, you may want to look at something with a bigger throat. But that depends on what you are re-sawing of course.

[steamjunkprops]

Get a bandsaw. I got a great 14' inch bandsaw for $300 second hand on gumtree. Keep an eye on there and ebay. There are usually some good buys


Check me out:
www.facebook.com/steamjunkprops Or Steamjunkprops.deviantart.com

[steamjunkprops]

http://Www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/Winma...saw/1018680341


Check me out:
www.facebook.com/steamjunkprops Or Steamjunkprops.deviantart.com

[steamjunkprops]

Not sure where you are but this is the same saw i have and it is great.


Check me out:
www.facebook.com/steamjunkprops Or Steamjunkprops.deviantart.com

[old_picker]

1 hp 14" is a minimum i reckon - i wish i had have bought an 18" when i bought mine
mine has a 12" riser and I can resaw tops - just - the 18" would be a more versatile machine
you will find the 10" will not be particularly versatile

i like having a table saw as well which i find is at the heart of everything i do
the drop saw is a bit of a luxury item and i have never bothered getting one as i felt iit would not pay its way space wise

go for a 14" saw at least - the bigger it is the more it will do

[kiwigeo]

1 hp 14" is a minimum i reckon - i wish i had have bought an 18" when i bought mine
mine has a 12" riser and I can resaw tops - just - the 18" would be a more versatile machine
you will find the 10" will not be particularly versatile

i like having a table saw as well which i find is at the heart of everything i do
the drop saw is a bit of a luxury item and i have never bothered getting one as i felt iit would not pay its way space wise

go for a 14" saw at least - the bigger it is the more it will do

+1

I wouldn't go any smaller than a 14".

[Hermit]

What they ^ said. Mine's a 12" and I find it a bit limited when it comes to resawing. Can only cut a little over 7" thickness. 14" plus would be much better.