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Hi guys. I'm looking for a band saw. I want something with sufficient power that won't break the bank. I saw the Rigid 14" for around $370-400. Delta has one too but that one is rated at 1/2 HP. Has anyone here tried the Rigid? I'm not going to be doing any heavy duty resawing(at least I don't think so). Probably just cutting tops, braces, etc... What do you think?

If all you want to do is cutout tops and necks, I can't imagine it not being enough. I have a lesser machine (I have not used the Rigid) and have no problems at all. If your future includes re-sawing then look for a bigger machine and a good one at that. Re-sawing is another thing entirely from cutting guitar parts. Good luck.

We used a Ridgid at Vermont Instruments - it definitely had the power for necks and cutting out profiles. Resawing was done at another saw - a Delta, which if I had the choice would purchase for the extended resaw capacity.

I personally have a Sears Professional, purchased for the 8 inch resaw capacity. I recently resawed both yellow birch and maple quite accurately with a 3/4" blade. It took a little work to set up originally, but thus far is doing a great job.

Now that I am serious about this guitar thing, I wish I had spent a few hundred extra for the Delta.

KB

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

I use a delta 12 inch with a 1/2 motor. It only has 6 inch cutting hight so i'm not resawing tops or anything like that but I do some resawing for fingerboards and bridges with little problems. I just feed the wood at a slow rate and its good enough for that so i think the ridgid will be ok for what you want.

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Guitars, guitars and more guitars.