Band saw opinions

newtowood · 06-11-2008, 08:49 PM

I am getting ready to purchase a band saw. I don't need one of the Rikon seventeen inch that is popular on the site. A fourteen inch will be all that I would need for now. I am looking and soliciting recommendations from the fine people here. This will be a self purchase, father's day gift combination purchase. I am looking to spend about $500.00 or less but want all of the quality and features that I can squeeze into that amount of money. Now I will consider "ALL" recommendations and opinions on this subject. I will not be doing any re-sawing that I know of. So I am in need of a good quality basic band saw. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.

DaveO · 06-11-2008, 09:10 PM

If I had to do it all over again I would get this one -
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=20041
But that is a little out of your budget range. I like the larger capacity of it. You will want it someday

But more in your price range is the Griz 0555 like I have, it is a solid machine at a good price -
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G0555-...3232722&sr=1-1

For a little more cha-ching, there is the upgraded model of the 0555, I am not sure how much better it would be. I can't seem to access the Grizzly.com site right now to compare the specs. It does look better, though

-
http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-G0555X...3232722&sr=1-2

MTCW,
Dave

newtowood · 06-11-2008, 09:19 PM

Thanks Dave. The G0555 is actually what I was looking at. I appreciate the other references you provided.

NCPete · 06-11-2008, 09:59 PM

Tracy, I like this one! Craftsman Professional 14 in. Bandsaw

1 hp motor, 8 inch resaw capacity with a welded frame, and two speeds and not a big budget buster at $549.

Bas · 06-11-2008, 10:27 PM

I have the G0555 as well, and I've been happy with it. Since it's my first band saw, I have nothing to compare it against though. It has plenty of power for the work I do, and it's been reliable so far. Just like with a table saw, a good blade makes an enormous difference. I don't have the riser block, but I'm thinking about getting one to add some resaw capacity. I should have bought it from the get-go, but some things you just have to experience first. Don't forget to add a mobile base, these suckers are heavy.

Since resawing is not high on your priority list, I don't think you can go wrong with the G0555. Worst case, you decide in 2-3 years you want something bigger, and sell this one on Craig's List for $250.

newtowood · 06-11-2008, 10:30 PM

Thank you Bas. As always your opinion matters

ebarr · 06-11-2008, 10:42 PM

My vote is with the Grizzly also, Got mine about 6 months ago and I love it. I looked at pretty much every 14" model made before I purchased mine and really could not find one that had the same features for the price. I am limited on space so 14" was a large as I could go.

Good Luck

newtowood · 06-11-2008, 10:45 PM

I too am limited on space, that is why the 14" is attractive to me. Small 10x20 shop for now.

newtowood · 06-12-2008, 07:08 AM

Pete, I had not looked at that model. Thank you.

skysharks · 06-12-2008, 08:24 AM

Tracy, I know where you can get a 16" Grizzly for the price you would pay for a 14".
Let me see if I know how to link my Gloat post to here.
http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f...-2-post155853/
Ok I hope this works, now let me see this list that I have here.
There is a 16" Grizzly band saw with mobile base and blades for 550.00.
I looked at it when I was there last week and it looked almost new.
HTH.

Mike Gilley · 06-12-2008, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by NCPete

Tracy, I like this one! Craftsman Professional 14 in. Bandsaw

1 hp motor, 8 inch resaw capacity with a welded frame, and two speeds and not a big budget buster at $549.

I have this bandsaw, and it is very nice. The motor is (supposedly -haven't done it yet) switchable from 120v to 220v, and the resaw capacity is very nice.

However there is one big draw back on it, and that is the size of the saw blades for it is unusual. It use's 99 3/4 inch band saw blades, which I can only find at Sears, and only certain sizes (currently 3/4 2TPI, 1/2 3TPI, 3/8 4TPI, 1/4 6TPI, 3/16 10TPI & 1/8 14TPI).
So either I just accept what Sears sells, or I learn how to brazen band saw blades and make my own.

This was something that I didn't realize, until it was too late, so that is something else to keep in mind, will you be able to use standard size saw blades that can be purchased anywhere?

Regards,
Mike

Travis Porter · 06-12-2008, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mike Gilley

I have this bandsaw, and it is very nice. The motor is (supposedly -haven't done it yet) switchable from 120v to 220v, and the resaw capacity is very nice.

However there is one big draw back on it, and that is the size of the saw blades for it is unusual. It use's 99 3/4 inch band saw blades, which I can only find at Sears, and only certain sizes (currently 3/4 2TPI, 1/2 3TPI, 3/8 4TPI, 1/4 6TPI, 3/16 10TPI & 1/8 14TPI).
So either I just accept what Sears sells, or I learn how to brazen band saw blades and make my own.

This was something that I didn't realize, until it was too late, so that is something else to keep in mind, will you be able to use standard size saw blades that can be purchased anywhere?

Regards,
Mike

You can order blades from a lot of places. Suffolk machinery has good blades at good prices. I would expect them to be of equal or better quality than the Sears ones.

Travis Porter · 06-12-2008, 09:18 AM

I have no recommendations of a specific brand or type. Personally, I think they all have their pluses and minuses, and a lot of them are made in the same factories IMO.

I do have a couple of recommendations on specs though.

Do not go below a 3/4 HP motor. Although you don't resaw today, you will want to resaw some and 1/2 HP motor just isn't enough to get it done.

Check out the table sizes. Bigger is better and makes it a lot easier to work with.

Almost all saws have tilting tables, but see if it will tilt both ways. Most (but not all) will tilt 10 degrees or so to the left.

After seeing what some have gone through (Sapwood for example), I am not a big proponent of the riser blocks. In some instances they go well and in others they don't so if you do need to do resawing greater than 6" borrow some time on a bigger machine.

Check out the guide systems. Carter guides are a plus. Additionally, Carter makes a little add-on guide set up that lets you run 1/8" blades easily.