Ok, I'm ready to break down and get a Bandsaw and Drill press for making bows. Best bang for my buck? Any brands to stay away from? Any feedback on the SKIL 9" table bandsaw? Or should I go with the Porter Cable standing model bandsawfor 4X as much? They are both made in China, and most likely in the same factory, as the parts look very similar. Any feedback is appreciated!
I would personally pick up an older Rockwell or Delta Bandsaw used off Kijiji - the new ones you get a big block stores are really cheaply built, don't have any cast iron and typically don't last long.
Its hard to beat Grizzly tools. They have 14" models from $375 and up. You wont find a bad review.
Get the biggest, most powerful one you can for the money.
Read that over and again cause it's a fail safe formula. It all depends on your budget, but I would get a GREAT band saw and an ok drill press before I did the vice versa. PD is right, grizzlies are awesome for the $. 14" deluxe would be the minimum i'd go. To keep under $500 after shipping, you'd get 3/4 hp. That could easily be all the band saw you'll ever need as a bowyer.
I have learned through experience to always buy the best tools I can afford and to look to future uses of those tools. A bandsaw can do so much work in a shop. It can profile a bow, cut veneers, re-saw lumber, cut out large and small carvings, etc.
I agree with fish n chicks about getting a great bandsaw and an ok drill press as long as you don't go bottom of the barrel on one. Cheap tools = poor quality and cost more in the long run. Plus badly made tools can even get you hurt.
Dave.
I've had great luck with vintage american made tools mostly from the 40s - 60s, solidly built longlasting workhorses. Craftsman, Delta etc.
I have the 14" jet - 1HP. Really like it.
I have a 14" Delta that was made in the early 50s. Built like a tank and would probably cost a small fortune if I had to replace today. Got it from my Dad. Yea, Dad !
Drill press is a Harbor Freight wanna-be (meaning no name, made in China). Got it from a co-worker years ago for $50.00. It's 8" I think. My only gripe is that that table has no crank to move it up/down. So far it has done all I need with regards to bow-building.
Bill W
I havent done any glass work yet...but I do plenty of woodworking tinkering. I Have a 12" craftsmen. Its a nice bandsaw...but I wish I had the 14"er. size and horsepower and over all better quality.
Found an older drillpress. So far I love it, best 70 bucks I've spent. SHe aint pretty but she's got the nads to do what I ask and the most importantly the spindle is perfectly true unlike most of the other dp's I've tinkered with!
Time to start making some slate calls ;) . And bows...and and and LOL
Go an craigslist and find an old Craftsman or Delta bandsaw. 9" aren't big enough for stave work. I made over 100 selfbows with a 12" Crafstman built in 1985.
Do us all a favor and don't buy anything from china if you can avoid it!
QuoteOriginally posted by DVSHUNTER:
Do us all a favor and don't buy anything from china if you can avoid it!
Hear! Hear!
DVSHUNTER; I agree 100% about avoiding China products "if" possible, but doing so is next to impossible these days! I just noticed my Dewalt drill bits are made in China! The drill itself (and the Dewalt power saw too), is made in Mexico. And as I walked around Lowes and Home Depot yesterday, it seems like almost NOTHING is made here in the USA anymore. All the drills, saws and sanders (aside from Dewalt)... Made in CHINA. I do have to say that the Porter Cable, although Chinese made, is a nice looking drill press. Skil looks ok too, at least better than the new Sears Craftsman (Chinese made), stuff I saw. I guess all we can do is hope that the consumers (us), and the big multi-national Corporations continue to encourage China to improve the quality of their exports. Hell, even Uncle Henry and Marble knives are now made in China, as is the Hudson Bay Axe heads of Snowe & Neally. A Civil War era Axe company, located in Bangor Maine, importing axe heads from China. ???! My Grandfather's are spinning in their graves!!!! Woolwich red / black plaid wool hunting shirts and jackets, sold at L.L. Beans... yup, also made in Asia. Read the fine print or label the next time you go shopping.
What happened to our jobs, our culture? How did this happen in just 10 to 15 years? Everything has changed...?!! Sorry to rant, but this upsets me, as I worry about what remains of this Nation my son is growing up in!
I need to go shoot my American made bow!!!!!!!!!
get a high quality "14 band saw and learn how to run it well!!
Grizzly 14" no question!
Check you local pawn shops too. I picked up a brand new craftsman drill press for $30.
I had a cheap bench type drill press, it worked for very basic drilling but upgraded to this one when I built my shop.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/12-Speed-Heavy-Duty-14-Floor-Drill-Press/G7944
Daylight and dark difference over my el-cheapo and worth the extra bucks.
I would like to upgrade or buy some new tools, but I wonder; are any machine tools such as saws, drill presses, lathes, etc, made in America or Canada anymore? It's a sad question to have to ask.
Dave.
One more vote for craigs list and the older tools.Of course be careful. Check the items out carefully. I intentionally look for the older machines. They were made so much better than most of the stuff being sold today and parts are generally still available for old Delta's and Rockwells.Many times you can find machines that have been used very little. Someone got the wood working bug, used it a couple of times and it sat.
And yes. Not to offend anyone but if it says China, run like h-ll as it is junk.
Good luck in your search.
Ed
Grizzy. Get 1HP or higher on the saw. Great customer service. I'm going to get their model G0555 next spring. It will do everything I'll ever throw at it. Don't tell my wife. :saywhat: