: Can you build it? You sure can! But before you do go to a bigbox
: store and look at a Rigid of any of the other 14 inch
: top-of-the-lines that are rip-offs of a Delta. Notice the BIG
: cast-iron backbone. For a bandsaw blade to be able to follow
: lines, cut scrolls, etc. it has to have sufficient tension. And
: the thing that allows that tension to be built up is that BIG
: thick cast-iron backbone. I can't imagine a compact wooden
: framework could be designed to stand up to the tension a bandsaw
: blade requires. There is also the problem of controlling the
: blade in the cutting area. The bigboys will spend hundreds of
: dollars on rollers and guides. You don't need to go that deep
: but you have to have good control (rigidly supported guides and
: rollers with sufficient adjustments) just to be able to cut a
: straight line.
: There is also the problem of a saw's ability to maintain
: adjustements. Even the most expensive bandsaws need regular
: re-alignments to keep it performing up to par.
: If the was one woodworking machine I wouldn't consider constructing
: out of wood it's a bandsaw.

I built a Gilliom Manufacturing "Gil-Bilt" bandsaw back in 1988. I have been using it ever since, and do not plan to purchase another.

I felt that the original plans called for a rather weak single 2x4 as the backbone. I beefed it up to a 5"x7" boxbeam within a boxbeam. The inside box uses 1/2 sheathing plywood and 2x4's and the outside box is 3/4" cherry and 18mm Baltic birch plywood. I also used a piano hinge for the front cover rather than the two leaf hinges supplied with the kit. Closing the front cover adds a lot of stability to the machine. It is not great for resawing, largely because the table is not a very stabile unit. However, it will resaw an 8" board if I have the time.

I use it on a regular basis, mostly for scroll work. The photo shows the bandsawn pattern I am using to laminate a thwart for a Wee Lassie. I also make my own blades from blade material on a reel, closing them with silver solder. I have been using a 1/2 horsepower furnace motor to power it.

The company is still in business, however it does not have an internet presence. The owner (Roger Thompson) prefers to do everything by phone, because he wants to talk with his customers. I have talked with Mr. Thompson on the phone and found him to be a very pleasant and helpful individual.

Gilliom Manufacturing Inc
500 Boones Lick Road
Saint Charles, MO63301-2437
Phone: (636) 724-1812