Restoring a Piece of Woodworking History: My Gil-Bilt 18-Inch Bandsaw

I recently acquired a truly special piece of woodworking history: an 18-inch Gil-Bilt bandsaw. This isn’t just another vintage tool—it’s one I’ve dreamed about since childhood. Thanks to a thoughtful gift from friends, I now get the chance to restore this fascinating machine and bring it back to life .

For those unfamiliar, Gil-Bilt was the brainchild of Lyle Gilliam, who began designing build-it-yourself woodworking machines after World War II. Instead of selling fully assembled tools, Gilliam published plans in magazines like Popular Mechanics and Popular Science.

Builders could either source materials locally or purchase cast aluminum parts directly from Gil-Bilt. This DIY approach allowed enthusiasts to create sturdy, fully functional machines with a mix of plywood, hardwood, and metal components.

Gil-Bilt offered several designs, including lathes, drill presses, and bandsaws. This 18-inch bandsaw is the larger of the two models they sold. “18-inch” referring to the diameter of its wheels, which roughly determines throat capacity.

A Bandsaw with a Story: Don Bowyer’s Custom Touches

This machine carries with it not only engineering ingenuity but also a personal history. It belonged to Don Bowyer, a skilled craftsman. His daughter Susan (along with siblings Allan and Linda) gifted it to me, sharing fond memories of helping their father paint it as children.

Mr. Bowyer made several clever modifications to the original Gil-Bilt design:

• Integrated Lighting: He wired a light fixture into the saw’s cover. I’ll update this feature with LEDs during restoration.
• Aluminum Table Surface: Instead of a standard table, he added an aluminum sheet for durability. It lacks a miter slot, but I may eventually build a steel table for magnetic accessories.
• Custom Cover Attachment: Large handmade knobs and L-brackets replaced the original wing nuts, making maintenance easier.
• Reinforced Column: Perhaps his most impressive innovation is the wooden column was strengthened with aluminum channel, transforming it into a sturdy box frame.
• Dual-Purpose Use: Evidence of metal shavings shows he used the saw for both wood and metal cutting, making that aluminum tabletop choice even more practical.

What’s Next: Tires, Blades, and Bearings

Like any vintage machine, it needs some attention before running. The lower tire is nearly gone and the upper is dry-rotted, so I’ve ordered polyurethane replacement tires. They’re bright orange, not my preferred Blue Max tires (which were considerably pricier in this size), but they’ll get the job done.

I also picked up a set of Timberwolf blades to replace the assortment of old blades found with the saw. The lower wheel runs on a bearing-mounted shaft powered by a 1HP motor. The tilting table trunnions are still in excellent condition, and the top wheel assembly uses brass/bronze blade guides along with a ball bearing—all of which I can replace if needed.

Ingenious Design Worth Admiring

One detail I truly admire is Lyle Gilliam’s tensioning and tilt mechanism for the upper wheel. A single cast aluminum part raises and lowers the wheel shaft to apply blade tension, while a simple jam nut and bolt provide precise tilt adjustment for perfect tracking.

It’s a simple but brilliant solution—one so good that Gil-Bilt used it across multiple machines, including their 6-inch belt sander. These cast parts are highly prized today, often turning up on eBay. The cleverness of this design reminds me of Magna Engineering’s use of a water pump bearing assembly in their Shopsmith tools: an elegant, practical engineering choice.

The Restoration Journey Begins

I’m thrilled to roll up my sleeves and start this project. In the coming weeks, I’ll be cleaning, repairing, and restoring the Gil-Bilt bandsaw so it can once again serve as a powerful, reliable tool in my shop.

This isn’t just a restoration—it’s a continuation of a legacy. From Lyle Gilliam’s vision to Don Bowyer’s craftsmanship and now into my own shop, this bandsaw represents generations of ingenuity, skill, and creativity.

Stay tuned for updates as we bring this vintage powerhouse back to life.

👉 Have you ever restored or worked with a Gil-Bilt tool? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them!

Gilliom "Gil-Bilt" combo Drill-Press Lathe video

I finally got around to posting video on my Gil-Bilt drill/lathe combo machine. I picked it up used via Facebook Marketplace, along with a Gil-Bilt table saw, which will make an appearance eventually. 

Over 40,000 Power Tools Built By Our Grandfathers: The Story of Gilliom “Gil-Bilt”

In the golden era of postwar do-it-yourself ingenuity, thousands of hobbyists and craftsmen built their own power tools at home. At the heart of this movement was Gilliom Power Tools, based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded by Lyle Gilliom, the company empowered everyday makers to construct their own machinery from a combination of locally sourced materials and factory-supplied parts.

A Company Built on Plans and Ingenuity

Gilliom advertised hand-drawn plans in popular magazines of the time, offering woodworkers the choice to either buy individual parts, complete kits, or simply follow the plans with materials on hand. With this model, more than 40,000 power tools were built across the country.

The lineup included a 12-inch bandsaw, an 18-inch bandsaw, a 6-inch belt sander, and a 10-inch tilting arbor table saw. Each design shared parts and concepts, making the tools not only economical to build but also clever in their adaptability.

Spotlight: A Lathe That Doubles as a Drill Press

The tool featured in the video is a remarkable example of Gilliom’s approach—a lathe that transforms into a drill press.

• Lathe Functionality: The tailstock features a quill that extends and locks in place with a small hex wrench, reminiscent of Shopsmith tools. The headstock carries a 5/8-inch threaded shaft with a flat for accessories. Gilliom even manufactured their own cast faceplates, interchangeable with Shopsmith accessories. With adapters, users could also mount modern chucks.

• Drill Press Functionality: By tilting the headstock and motor upright, the lathe converts into a drill press. Unlike standard drill presses where the bit moves, this design raises and lowers the workpiece into the stationary drill bit. Precision jewelers and watchmakers used a similar approach, prized for its alignment accuracy.

This dual-purpose system reflected Gilliom’s philosophy of maximizing function while minimizing the number of unique parts.

A Design Ahead of Its Time

One of the cleverest aspects of Gilliom’s philosophy was reusing components across multiple machines. The same castings and assemblies appeared in bandsaws, sanders, and the multi-purpose tool, echoing how larger manufacturers like Shopsmith also engineered interoperability into their product lines.

This strategy meant that a builder could recognize and repurpose parts, creating consistency across the workshop.

What Happened to Gilliom?

After Lyle Gilliom passed away, the company was sold to a man named Roger Thompson. Remarkably, Mr. Thompson was still answering calls for parts and support decades later, though the company never established an online presence. Eventually, operations faded, and the business disappeared completely.

The Legacy Lives On

The particular multi-purpose tool in the video is in rough shape today. It needs a complete rewiring and rebuild, but it still runs, proof of the durability of its design. Though the original instructions for this model are missing, the plans for other Gilliom machines live on among collectors and enthusiasts.

Gilliom’s tools stand as a testament to an era when creativity, thrift, and craftsmanship intersected. They remind us of a time when the satisfaction of building extended not just to furniture or projects, but to the very machines that made them possible.

👉 Have you ever seen or used a Gil-Bilt tool in person? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear them.

DIY Shopsmith-powered 6" Belt Sander

 While this isn't a Gilliom Gil-Bilt sander, it's close enough for inclusion in this blog. Notice that it is powered by a Shopsmith Mark V!  Thanks to Leo Plude for sharing this with us. 

Click the pics to "Biggie Size" them. 

Another Gil-Bilt 10" Tilting Tablesaw built from a kit

I found another email lost in my inbox with a great photo and details of a homemade 10" tilting blade table saw built from Gilliom MFG plans and Gil-Bilt components. 

Scott…saw your blog about Gil-Bilt …enjoyed reading the articles! 

I’ve got my Dad’s table saw which he built back in the early fifties (he actually used it to build his first house I remember him telling me)….he used solid oak for the top, and has held up well over the years.  Matter of fact,  I still use the saw to this day…works great! (see attached picture you can use if you’d like)

Did you ever get current contact information for Rodger or Gilliom Mfg, or does it no longer exist?  I know the 500 Boone’s Lick address is no longer valid, as there’s some law firm there now.

I’d like to get a set of original Table Saw plans, as well their catalog, as I’m thinking of building some of their other tools to pass down to my kids and grandkids someday.

Thanks for any info.

Bob Schuster

Olathe, KS

So glad to hear she is still performing well and thanks for sharing!  Scott

A beautiful 18" Bandsaw built from a Gilliom MFG plan and Gil-Bilt components

I received the following email and photos from Dave Dietz, who offered to share some details from his Gil-Bilt bandsaw build: 

Hi Scott,

I found your blog when I was perusing the internet to find out if Gilliom Manufacturing even still exists. I bought one of the bandsaw kits back about 1982 or 1983. I had read many reviews and the main complaint folks had was the flexibility of the frame being made out of common 2 x 4 lumber and plywood. The suggestion was to use 4 x 4 hardwood with the plywood.

At the time I worked for The Boeing Company, and they had a great surplus sales store. They sold all kinds of excess aluminum, so I decided to make my frame from aluminum plate and a 4-inch square tube for the column. I did also make my own two-speed pulley drive so I had the normal speed for wood and plastic, and then a slower speed for metals.

I started my construction right away, but stopped at the point where I was to make the table. I didn't like their design, so I figured out a new one, and then life happens and kids came along, and I just never got around to finishing it. Fast forward 25 years, and I finally had time to get back to it. Believe it or not, through two house moves I still had all the original parts and plans. Out they came and I finally finished up the saw. It works perfectly and is as stiff and true running as any commercial saw I have used.

Of course, the old original rubber tires had rotted out, so I just bought some urethane ones cheap via eBay and man do they work great.

I thought you would like to see pictures, so I have attached a bunch.

Enjoy!

Dave Dietz (D2)

Well done, Dave!  

Gilliom "Gil-Bilt" tools featured in Boat Joinery & Cabinetmaking Simplified book

I can't believe that I haven't mentioned this before, but the book "Boat Joinery & Cabinetmaking Simplified" has an entire chapter dedicated to Gilliom Manufacturing's "Gil-Bilt" kit tools! It's available new and used in hardback and softcover from Amazon.

Buy Boat Joinery & Cabinetmaking Simplified from Amazon

Gilliom MFG Gil-Bilt 6" Belt Sander

I just purchased a NOS (New, Old Stock) Gil-Gilt belt sander on eBay for $82.55 total, including shipping. A tad more than I had hoped to pay but I'm thrilled to finally have one on the way.

Stay tuned for the build.

Who makes great woodworking tools? With Gilliom kits the answer is "You do!"

I've been racking my brain trying to recall when I first saw an ad for Gil-Bilt tools from Gilliom Manufacturing. I'm fairly certain it was in High School when I used to spend hours in the library during study hall reading through smelly old back-issues of Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines. I knew I was interested in woodworking, and seeing that I was soon to lose my access to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's hobby shop as soon as I moved out of my parent's home, I needed to move into tool-ownership and fast. By the time I turned 18 I had a folder full of Xerox articles on tools, jigs and plans and among the collection was several ads from Gilliom for home-made tools. Home-made tools? Seriously?

As the years went by I went the Dayton-made Shopsmith route and put the folder of articles away in a box.

And the years went by.

Now, if you know anything about me from my other blogs, I am a DIY'er to the bone and I love to build weird stuff. Like what? How about a world-class belt sander racer, a six cheese fountain, a wooden lathe, a box-joint saw, a pencil-post bed with giant pencils for the posts, animated wooden lobsters, wooden wheels for a 1924 Ford Model T Fire engine and hundreds of jigs and fixtures.

Recently while digging through boxes in my shop I came across the folder of articles and after an evening of walking down memory lane I found myself obsessing about home-made tools once again. A quick Googling and low and behold I learned that Gilliom Manufacturing is alive and well!

FYI: One of these articles was titled "Save Money With Tools You Build From Kits", which is from the December 1983 issue of The Family Handyman magazine.


More in the next post. Click on ad to Biggie-size it.

An incredible Gilliom Manufacturing Gil-Bilt bandsaw

Lincoln East High School Gil-Bilt Crescent Bandsaaw, Front

At the 2015 AWFS woodworking show the power tool company "RIKON Power Tools" sponsored the display of a spectacular student-made bandsaw that was built to mimic an old Crescent bandsaw.  The beautiful saw was built utilizing a donated Gilliom Manufacturing Gil-Bilt bandsaw kit! (Click pics to Biggie-Size)

Tim Montague, a junior at Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, Nebraska entered an impressive replica 1919 Crescent band saw into the 2015 Fresh Wood student woodworking competition. “This was a first for us,” said AWFS Assistant Education Director Adria Torrez, “since we have been running the Fresh Wood competition, we have never seen a student-made woodworking tool or machine! It was a unique entry that focused on different aspects of the woodworking industry; typically we see examples of traditional or production woodworking, but this also embraced the training involved in building woodworking machinery.”

Lincoln East High School Gil-Bilt Crescent Bandsaw, Back

However, the band saw was not selected by the Fresh Wood judges as a finalist to be on display at the

AWFS Fair with the Fresh Wood exhibit. That’s when RIKON Power Tools stepped in. Says RIKON President Jack Bransfield, “This was an opportunity we couldn’t resist.  As a leader in woodworking power tools, with band saws being an integral product for us, we were impressed to see a student endeavor to build one and consequently learn about the history of the machine and the intricacies involved in the process of duplicating the machine in wood.”

The Lincoln East High School program is run by instructor Jeff McCabe, a long time WoodLINKS instructor and current Woodwork Career Alliance (WCA) Evaluator.

“The Crescent” began as a kit of parts donated by a benefactor and was built by seven students over a two-year period. “It was a culmination of efforts with a lot of R&D last year and the mechanical, electrical, finishing (execution) this year,” says McCabe.

Lincoln East High School Gil-Bilt Crescent Bandsaw tracking mechanism

The group of student builders voted on designs and agreed that the 1919 crescent was the best one. Since the original had very little guarding, the students developed new guards to meet modern-day safety standards. The students used AutoCAD and EnRoute with a CNC router to nest and cut the shapes from maple plywood.  The students sprayed the plywood with texture paint to make it look like cast iron like the original. A vacuum bag process was used for the decorative patterns.

I have to tell you that I stood and admired this saw over several days of working and walking the show, and the students and their teacher deserve all the recognition that they get with this lovely saw.  Well done everyone! 

“The Crescent” was on display in the Rikon booth at the AWFS Fair, July 22 25 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To learn more about the Woodwork Career Alliance, go to www.woodworkcareer.org