I'm into guitar repair and I want to start making my own thin stock lumber from what I already have. Thin stock is pretty pricey, so I thought, why not make it myself? However, I'm worried about getting straight cuts with a bandsaw, and using a drum sander feels a bit wasteful. How do professionals typically create thin stock?
3 Answers
A big reason thin stock costs a lot is that a lot of it is produced by slicing with a bandsaw and then finished with a drum sander. Expect to have some waste with this process, usually around 50%.
You might also want to consider a thin-rip jig on your table saw for consistent sizing. Just keep in mind that this method tends to waste a bit more wood, which could be a concern for you as a luthier working with expensive materials.
For cutting thin lumber, a resaw bandsaw paired with a drum sander works best. With the right setup, even a standard bandsaw can give you good results. I once tackled cutting 60 strips of Douglas fir at around 5mm thick and it was quite the challenge! So, tuning your bandsaw is key, along with using a good fence for straight cuts.