Drill Press size

[johnnyg]

Hello All,

I am looking for a quick recommendation on and adequate drill press size. There is a good 10" saw on sale nearby and I am strongly considering it. Is this an adequate size or should I be looking at something else. Basically going off Dan Erlewine's recommendation not to spend a lot on your drill press. Also, i am planning on trying out the StewMac safety planer for initial thicknessing, so it needs to be big enough for that. Drum sander will have to remain on my wish list.

Thanks for the help!

[ken cierp]

We had a safety planer and returned it is about ten minutes --- I think they are dangerous, difficult to use as directed blah, blah, blah -- any way not for me. You need a drill press with a good size table, at least 1/2 HP minimum spindle run-out. Buy the very best tools you can afford. I could easily scratch build guitars without a table saw --- I think a good sliding compound miter saw and band saw could take care of most of a guitar builder's needs.

[johnnyg]

What is a good inexpensive option for thicknessing soundboards, backs and sides?

[ken cierp]

http://woodgears.ca/sander/plans/index.html

[John J]

http://woodgears.ca/sander/plans/index.html

That's the one I built. I use it daily.

[Tim Benware]

I've used a safety planer for initial thicknessing on all but the first 2 or 3 one of my builds (60+). It works great for me. However, I only take my acoustic tone woods down to about .115 to .125 with it, then it goes through the thickness sander. I used a Delta 11-990 (12" table top drill press) with it and a home made table and fence for the safety planer.

[johnnyg]

Ok, I ordered a 12" craftsman drill press. Thanks to all for the input.

I do have a couple other questions.

Tim, do you thickness with the the safety planer before or after joining? I read to to thickness before joining, likely because the joined sound board is too big to fit in the drill press. But then I also read to join with the the wood as thick as possible and then thickness to size. Obviously can't do both. Is joining it close to final size ok?

Ken, what do you use the sliding compound miter saw for? I have a compound miter saw, but it doesn't slide. Also, I looked at the drum sander plans and put it on my list to build.

Thanks!