Forums

Tools

Posted by 3 Fingered Ape on January 6, 2013 at 8:22am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi there,

I'm just getting started in making CBG  and need  some advice on tools I have all the basic tools needed and a drill press, miter saw, and table saw. What I'm wondering about is what about a small band saw? I have a gift card to Home Depot and saw a Ryobi band saw there, does anyone know if it will do the job. I'm Thinking head stocks and neck work mostly. 

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • 3 Fingered Ape January 13, 2013 at 7:08am

    Well I bought the bandsaw from Home Depot yesterday and will be getting some other suggested tool in the near future. I had a gift card to finance these purchases so I'm not out any of my own money. Buikding should commence very soon. I have a few projects to do around the house first.

  • RTZGUITARS January 12, 2013 at 4:59pm

    This is off subject but this is my new favorite tool Stanley surform rasp they come flat shaped or round. You can shape a neck in a few minute with one of these.305954280?profile=original

    • wormil > RTZGUITARS January 12, 2013 at 6:06pm

      I have one of these, they work well for rough shaping.

      • David McQueen > wormil January 12, 2013 at 10:20pm
        Yup. I use it on oak all of the time. I finish off prior to sanding with a scraper.

        Note to those in more northern climes: if you can't get a scraper or can't get one at a decent price at a hardware store, look for a store selling cross country ski equipment, in particular tools for re-tarring bases. I got mine a Mountain Equipment Co-op for about $8.00 Cdn. Bases have to be fine scraped as part of the dressing.
  • Larry Chapman January 7, 2013 at 3:44pm

    Never had a 3-wheel band saw but the first one I bought back in early 80s was a 4-wheel and it was horrible. Impossible to keep the blades on. Sold it and bought a 2-wheel 12" Craftsman and it has been fantastic for over 30 years. The only thing I ever did to it was replace the motor with one of greater HP because I was using it for heavy-duty commercial purposes and the original motor was too small. 

  • David McQueen January 7, 2013 at 1:26pm
    Yup, I also want to get a band saw ... Again. The one I used to have was a three wheel band saw. I could not get the blade to stay on. Next time, a two wheel one.

    Ryobi is a budget brand. I would treat it the same way I used to treat Black and Decker. I would buy B &D first. If it did not break, fine. If it did, that meant I really needed a better grade of tool. Over years I saved a lot of money. It was surprising how often I did not need the latest and greatest.
  • Ron "Oily" Sprague January 7, 2013 at 1:18pm
    I think the most repeated complaint on the review sites I've seen about the Ryobi bandsaws (which appear attractive, price-wise), is that it's difficult to keep the blade from drifting, resulting in cuts that are not straight. I'd give it a pass. You can build a great git with the tools you have. Instead, search eBay, Craiglist, and local auction houses for pre-1970s bandsaws, if you're set on getting a tool that is definitely nice to have.
  • Larry Chapman January 7, 2013 at 10:00am

    My only Ryobi experience was with a weed wacker and it didn't last long at all. But it was very cheap and I got what I paid for. Replaced it with a Stihl and it's lasted for years. If I wasn't going to work a tool hard I would probably buy a Ryobi. 

  • wormil January 6, 2013 at 11:39pm

    I've never owned a Ryobi tool but on the woodworking sites I frequent they get the most complaints.

    • Larry Chapman > wormil January 7, 2013 at 7:17pm

      Just discovered that the orbital sander I recently purchased at an auction is a Ryobi. I tried it out today and it worked fine. Don't know how old it is but it doesn't look abused and it runs strong. I have a larger Black & Decker I bought used at a yard sale and it too works well. Yard sales and auctions are great places to find bargains on wood working tools, both hand tools and power tools. 

This reply was deleted.