band saw woes and triumphs - learning through failure

That’s not a bad looking first try at all! I’m kinda new to wood working also, and you are right, learning never stops and I truly never have enough tools.That’s what I love about it though. As for the spindle sander, I found that I can get by with a smalll drum sander attachment for my drill press if I am really carefull.

-- Terry T, South Georgia

The box looks real good.
Congratulations
As for spindle sander, I have the Rigid and as anyone else who has one, I love it.
I pay $100 for it used but in excellent shape.
Do not buy another one, this sander is the only one you can use with spindles and belts.
In every review it comes#1
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100061671&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100061671&ci_src=14110944&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googlebase-_-D25X-_-100061671&locStoreNum=4403&marketID=76

-- Bert

Hang in there Kathy. You will get use to it. There are alot of videos and articiles about tunning up your bandsaw. The manual that came with my grizzly explained things pretty good. Your first box is nice for your first one. They will get easier as you go.

-- Tim, Missouri ....Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened

I’m still sanding bandsaw boxes by hand, but seriously considering a spindle sander. I find building bandsaw boxes very relaxing and really enjoy making them.

-- Mike ...Success is often the result of taking a misstep in the right direction

My son and I both have these or similar ones and they work great….if you have a drill press. Plus the price is right.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=1268

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

good lessons. lessons learned from experience stick for a long time.

As for the BS- that is by far the most complex machine in the woodshop – bar none! it requires constant maintenance, and adjustments (blade guides, tracking). a good tune up is really priceless. I would recommend getting a good BS book like this one to get a better hang of what needs to be done in a BS, and how to keep it working like a champ:

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

I concur with what PurpLev says above, another good book on the saws is The Bandsaw Book by Lonnie Bird. I own Lonnie’s book and it is excellent.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I actually have the book above and it has been helpful, but it really take trial and error, and yes boo boos.

-- curious woodworker

new tools new hurdles to get over :-)
and for a first shot that box ain´t looking bad

here is a link that might help you
http://lumberjocks.com/stefang/blog/16611

and I know woodwhispere has a vidio on his site about it

congrat´s with your new toy
hope it will serve you well

take care
Dennis

“A day you didn’t learn something new is a day you were dead from the neck up!”

- Big Tiny sr. -

-- The nicer the nice, the higher the price!

A cheaper alternative to a spindle sander is to wrap sand paper around a length of dowel (secure the ends with masking or similar tape) and mount it between lathe centres.

-- Bandsawn Box Plans available at ~ http://www.tonyward.org

If one had a lathe!!! LOL sorry, I haven’t gotten that far yet.

-- curious woodworker