ThomD
>Before I got a bandsaw, I made a hrizontal frame saw using the most agressive German bowsaw blade I could find. They are designed for resawing wood. They are also really cheap, less than 10 bucks. Stay away from the ones with Japanese teeth, they are rough crosscut formated teeth, at least the ones I have found. Putsch is a good name in blades.

Ive spent up to 500 bucks for a rip saw, but long before you reach that point, or even the cost of a new bowsaw and a bunch of blades, you could probably snag something off of craigslist.