John,

If one were to build a wood bandsaw yours has everything needed to make it as good as possible. A larger box beam (my delta is 4.5x3 in the 6" extender block) and the cover can provide better stiffness for the wheels. The delta has a sheet metal cover which provides nothing for stiffness.

: 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