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08-14-2007, 09:14 AM
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#1 |
Name: Todd Hetrick City: Charlotte State: NC County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Mar 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 0.00 over 30 days |
I am looking for recommendations or warnings about 14” band saws. I am looking at what one might call “value” band saws, ones under $400. From what I gather most all the 14” saws seem to come from the same plant in China, all the major manufactures saws look identical. My thought is to buy a less expensive bare bones saw and upgrade it with parts and accessories from places like grizzly as needed.
I have been leaning towards the Harbor Freight 4 speed saw #32208. $299
Hopefully %15 off that if I can find a cupon.
Thanks
Todd |  
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08-14-2007, 12:43 PM
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#2 | | Moderator
Name: Ray City: Raleigh State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Mar 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
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Didn't one of the woodworking magazines just do a review of 14" bandsaws? I'm sure it's in the pile of magazines on my desk... but, as usual, I'm on the road so I don't know what's on the desk.
Ray
__________________
I cut that board twice and it's STILL too short.
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08-14-2007, 12:54 PM
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#3 |
Name: Jeremy City: Charlotte State: NC County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Mar 2006 Age: 30 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.77 over 30 days |
What about the german bandsaw in the For Sales Ads on this website? $200
I have the Grizzly Ultimate 14" bandsaw, as you know ( http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G0555-.../dp/B0000DD0AC). It's a great saw and has served me well. | |
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08-14-2007, 01:01 PM
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#4 |
Name: Jimmy Coull City: Clayton State: NC County: Johnston Join Date: Sep 2006 Age: 49 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.90 over 30 days |
I have a Grizzly 14" bandsaw and it works just fine. I would recommend it to any one who wants a starter saw. On another note, realize that on saws with 1 hp or less resawing is tough, keep it limited to 6". I use my saw sparingly, but if I used it more often (and had the money) I would go for the new Rikon. Everybody has given it great reviews, and from what I've seen it's a great looking saw. Just remember Grizzly stands behind their products and carries spare parts, something that HF doesn't, if you are planning to go that way.
Anyway, this is just my opinion and good luck with whatever you choose.
Jimmy | |
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08-14-2007, 02:44 PM
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#5 |
Name: fred City: franklinton State: nc County: franklin Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 51 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 30 days |
I have a 14" chiwanese bandsaw I am concidering selling. it does the job but can be fiddley at times. [ thus is the way with cheep bandsaws! ] It didnt come from HF but it could have. looks identical. PM me if you may be interested. I am somewhat far away from charlotte but the wworker pony express might be available. Also the price would make the drive more palletable.
fred p | |
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08-14-2007, 02:52 PM
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#6 |
Name: Wildwood City: Jacksonville State: NC County: Onslow Join Date: Mar 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
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Have you had a look at Sears "Craftsman Professional 14" bandsaw for $469.99?
Friend bought one because it has cast iron wheels, 2 dust ports and 1 hp motor, couple years ago. Think he said has an 8" resaw capability.
I bought a Grizzly G0555 with mobile base on sale several years back with shipping came to $485.00.
May not be that easy to upgrade that HF saw as once was. If money is tight may look for one of those old Delta 14" bandsaw's. Even one that needs a little TLC would be a better bargain than HF. | |
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08-14-2007, 06:44 PM
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#7 |
Name: Travis City: Wake Forest State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Dec 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.53 over 30 days |
Doing upgrades on a bandsaw can get to be expensive. I have no experience with the HF, but I would want to make sure the wheels are in line or at least can be shimmed to be parallel and that the guide post runs true. I would definitely take a look at what you can get used as well. Postings here on the site and on craigslist will net you some pretty good deals cheaper and possibly better than you can buy new. | |
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08-14-2007, 09:31 PM
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#8 | | Moderator
Name: Wayne City: Cary State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Dec 2005 Age: 61 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 30 days |
Originally Posted by Ray Martin  Didn't one of the woodworking magazines just do a review of 14" bandsaws? I'm sure it's in the pile of magazines on my desk... but, as usual, I'm on the road so I don't know what's on the desk.
Ray That would be FWW October 2007 issue.
They reviewed the Delta 28-475X, General 690-1, Grizzly G0555X, Grizzly G0457, Laguna LT14SE, Jet JWBS-14DX, Powermatic PWBS-14CS and the Rikon 10-325. In this group, the Laguna ranked "Best Overall" at $1500!!! And the Grizzly G0457 as "Best Value" at $795.
I picked up a used Delta 14" for about $150 on Craigslist last year. Cleaned it up, added CoolBlocks, neew blades and tensioning spring and it is has been great!
I would keep my eye out for a deal like this on Craigslist or here on the board!
Like this one posted last week... http://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/390498055.html
Wayne
__________________ ..............found out many years ago that Elbow Grease doesn't come in a bottle!!!! | |
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08-14-2007, 10:49 PM
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#9 |
Name: Paul Crews City: Oak Grove State: KY County: Christian Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 35 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 4.90 over 30 days |
Originally Posted by Ray Martin Didn't one of the woodworking magazines just do a review of 14" bandsaws? I'm sure it's in the pile of magazines on my desk... but, as usual, I'm on the road so I don't know what's on the desk.
Ray Woodworker's Journal, Aug 07, did a top 10 review on band saws. The Rikon 10-325 Deluxe got best bet at $749. The Craftsman 22401 was in the review and it does have a 8" resaw capacity. If you are going to buy a new saw check the reviews by customers on tools websites. The craftsman has good reviews. I remember reading a while back about people having problems with the 14" Rigid. Good luck.
Paul | |
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08-14-2007, 11:14 PM
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#10 |
Name: Gary Noble City: Fayetteville State: NC County: Cumberland Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 46 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 1.17 over 30 days |
I also have the Grizzly 0555, It's been a great saw for several years....
The only problem so far: the lower bearings tend to gum up (after about 18 months), I bought new bearings at a very reasonable price through VBX online, they come in 10 packs.
The quality of this saw makes it worth the extra expense..
Hope this helps
Gary | |
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08-15-2007, 12:38 AM
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#11 | | Moderator
Name: Peter Davio City: Hope Mills State: NC County: Cumberland Join Date: Dec 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 30 days |
Originally Posted by gotojeremy the german saw is a small Metabo/BASF brand saw, and is SWEET!
__________________
Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. – Henry Ford
However your life is, meet it and live it. Henry David Thoreau
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty, nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
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08-15-2007, 08:35 AM
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#12 |
Name: Rick Herrell City: Pilot Mountain State: NC County: Surry Join Date: Apr 2006 Age: 56 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 0.00 over 30 days |
I also have the Grizzly G0555 and like it alot.
__________________
Rick
Pilot Mountain,NC
" The pain of using a cheap tool lingers long after the joy of saving money has passed " | |
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08-15-2007, 10:38 AM
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#13 |
Name: Rob City: Charlotte State: NC County: Mecklenburg Join Date: Jul 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 0.00 over 30 days |
I would recommend waiting for a good, used bandsaw deal, kind of like that Grizzly one. I recently was in the market and waited until a good deal on a used Delta 14" came up and have been extremely happy with it. Much more saw than I really needed for a price less than I would have paid for a much lower level saw. | |
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08-16-2007, 01:54 PM
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#14 |
Name: Mark City: Fuquay Varina State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Nov 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.13 over 30 days |
I too would recommend buying a used saw. I'm a big believer that that provides the best value - almost all of the equipment in my shop was purchased used.
If you are concerned that you "don't know what to look for" in a used machine then stick to buyers you trust to represent their goods fairly or take a more knowledgable buddy along.
FWIW, my first bandsaw was and remains a Hitachi CB75F resaw, for which I paid the princely sum of $450, including two carbide blades.
-Mark | |
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08-17-2007, 07:16 PM
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#15 | | Moderator
Advisory Panel
Name: Cathy City: Forest City State: NC County: Rutherford Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 53 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 3.73 over 30 days |
FWIW: The Fine WoodWorking we got in the mail today rated 14" band saws.
__________________ Cathy Skipper 
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