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Kind of a weird question... Are there any alternatives to the bandsaw, for tasks like cutting out the body shape, neck, etc...? I don't need any heavy duty re-sawing capabilities. BTW, what did luthiers use before the bandsaw was around? Does anyone still build like that today, or does the convenience of the bandsaw win out.

We're talking acoustics, right?

There's a bow saw, or an electric jig saw. Which is more or less what I used until I got my bandsaw not so long ago. Necks can easily be made with just hand tools, although cutting a headstock angle on a one-piece blank with hand tools may be a bit annoying.

If you build electrics, jig saw and router with template will do the trick just fine.

I used a 16" dremel scroll saw a long time. works fine and if limited space, can store it. Before that though would get a 10" bandsaw like the delta for $99.00 or so. Can cut more and do binding etc on it. Guess just depends on your expenses and shop space. Handsaws of various types can work, but would power one if could unless just want to use the other for personal reasons. I forget what Hesh has but know he has gotten more out of little space than anyone else I know. A lot of that though goes to his ability as a goooood builder

I used to use the power tools in a free public craft shop in a Chicago park district center. You might also check in your area with local schools or colleges for adult classes. I recall also that there was once a retail facility at which you could rent time to use the full range of shop tools. So, if you are not making many guitars, you can have the convenience of the power tools without as much expense.

I built my first electric guitars with a coping saw. There are very well made european blades for them that cut quite well.
-C

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Freeborn Guitars
and home of BeauGuard©

I'd love to try one! Have a link, brand name, or other hint?

Jay

Jack buddy before I bought a small/medium sized band saw I bought a Ryobi 9" from Home Depot I believe for about $100. It works fine and even though I have a bigger saw now the little Ryobi is my preferred saw for things like cutting out tops/backs, cutting things like braces to length, head plates, etc. They tune up nicely if you read the stinkin manual (something I only do when I get irritated enough)........

It is not however powerful enough to cut through a 3" brace billet.

A decent or even basic 14" bandsaw would be pretty hard to do without in guitar building.

this sounds like a job for trained termites

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

What did early luthiers use? A bow saw and often home made tredal powered band saws

Just some insight IMO it is hard to waste money on a band saw unless you don't get one If you get one even, a small one you will find task after task after task that nothing does the job better. Feel free to mock my words if you must, but I will bet if you stay in the craft for long you will own a floor model sooner or later. I have a 9" a 12" and a 14" I use all three regularly and would not be with out them.

I cut the outline of my second electric by cutting a bunch of parallel cuts with a hand saw (as in a rectangular-blade contractors saw) and then knocking the pieces out with a hammer. I cleaned it up on a spindle sander, though you could do the same with a rasp or an electric drill with a sanding drum on it.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Wow guys. Thanks for all the feedback. I'm just trying to feel my way. One day I'm set on buying a 14" 1hp, and then the next I'm thinking of going with one of the smaller saws. I should probably just throw the money down on the bigger one. Like you guys said, it will end up paying off in the long run.

Does anyone have experience with the Craftsmen saws? Normally I would probably not buy Sears tools but the prices seem good and I've seen a few decent reviews.

Saws powered by other than human energy sources have been around a long time. But without power saws it was coping saw for curves, bow saw for resawing. One big advantage there is that you can cancel your gym membership and still bulk up.

John has had some luck with trained termites. I'd go with a team of starving beavers myself.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

A band saw is such a versatile tool, it is more than worth the investment. Don't forget to figure in the cost of several upgrades you will definitely want to do if you get something like a Delta or Jet 14" saw (link belt, better tensioner, etc - get Lou Iturra's catalog).

I was just using mine to rip a couple hundred small 1/4" thick stickers for stacking guitar making wood. Much safer than doing that on the table saw, and if I had neither, it would be a monumental task.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I have the Sears 10" saw, and like it very much. I chose it because it has a cast and ground iron table rather than an aluminum table with grooves in it as the Rikon has. I hate grooved aluminum tables for small stuff. It means you always have to put something under your work to keep it flat. Dust collection on the 10" is not great, but adequate. It is worse when you use a zero clearance insert. Doing a cup adapter for dust collection, like Hesh, is probably a good idea, but I have not done it.

One issue with the Sears saw, and maybe with the Rikon too. I tried to adjust the bottom wheel, and the bolts holding the shaft are threaded into pretty soft pot metal. They are easy to strip. I stripped mine, and Sears replaced the saw, as it was still under warranty. There was a chance that they could have said I was negligent, and done nothing. The little Miter Slide that comes with it is very cheap, and don't drop it, because it'll break - DAMHIK! Fortunately, I kept the one from the returned saw.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have an older craftsman 12" and newer Pro 14" I bought the 14" from a local cabinet maker that bought it new and retro-fitted a 2HP thereby voiding the warranty. Then decided he needed an 18” so he sold it to me for $250. I like the saw a lot. It is a built for sears by Rikon. The only issue I have with it is it has duel roller bearing guides and the assembly block that the roller bearings attach to is made of aluminum and care must be taken to not over tighten the bearing adjustment screws. Out side of that it is a great saw with a 2hp. I am not sure but I think the newer models come with 2 hp now but the original came with a 1hp I believe. My older 12" uses guide blocks and looks very much like a Delta. Sears also offer the pro series built by Rikon in a 12". I saw it on sell here a while back fo $299

The dulcimer on the right in my avatar was for my youngest. I felt the need to forgo the use of power tools in its creation. The top, back and sides where cut using a back-saw that I cut the spine off of (die grinder and cutoff disk). The scroll was cut out using a coping saw.

Honestly I like the place I go to when doing things by hand.
Honestly I don't think the dulcimer cares.

I have the Grizzly g0555 with riser-block for re-saw. I like to leave it setup so I found an old pain in thee butt 10" three wheel used for 25 bucks.

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"It's a Tone Faerie thing"
"Da goal is to sharpen ur wit as well as ye Sgian Dubh"
"Sippin Loch Dhu @Black lake" ,Kirby O...

On the subject of bandsaw alternatives, my blade recently broke but I've been too sick to venture out into the world to get a new one whereas I'd normally just get one the same day. As a result it's occured to me how vital it has become over the years for just about every single step of building... if I had to cut a piece of paper in half I reckon I'd reach for the bandsaw .

Trying to do the same jobs with hand tools is incredibly frustrating, making jobs that'd normally take a few seconds take several minutes... certainly can be done as I built my first few without but I think there's pretty well no going back.

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Richard
http://www.guitarmaker.com

I bought a 'used' 14" Grizzly with 3/4 hp for $80. Not the best, but in almost new condition. I've bought almost everything in my shop used. Seems like a lot of guys buy big tools and hardly use them?

i started with a 10" Delta and just upgraded to a 19" Grizzly. It is, without a doubt, the most indespensible power tool in my shop!
- Justin