Best benchtop bandsaw?

Best benchtop bandsaw? · 11-03-2009, 09:52 AM

I am considering getting a better benchtop bandsaw. I went the cheap route on a big one and did not get a good one and I really don't have space for stationary tools; the lathe is out where I can always use it, but everything else needs to tuck away. So the big bandsaw went away. I have a little 9" that has worked okay for me, but I recently split the tensioning knob (yes, I can find another) and it is underpowered (like most). I cut a lot of blanks and staves in the 2"-4" thickness range and the 9" just isn't close to optimal for that.

Anyway, this Craftsman 10" seems interesting:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P#reviewsWrap
as does the Hitachi:
http://www.amazon.com/Hitachi-CB6Y-1.../dp/B000SMA8T8
which is a little lighter, but bulkier (I think).
This Rikon looks like the Craftsman, but claims a lighter weight:
http://www.rikontools.com/productpage_10-305.htm

Other thoughts?
Another stationary one is pretty much out of the question right now.

bwat · 11-03-2009, 10:05 AM

I haven't compared specs but I hear the new Jet benchtop models are selling well. Might be worth investigating?

gritz · 11-03-2009, 10:27 AM

I was gifted a Craftsman like the one you are considering. The first thing I noticed is that it is underpowered. It was very clean, but several of the guide bearings were frozen and replacements were not available. Parts support is thin with this saw. I finally found some from a skateboard distributor in California.
I will keep the saw as a backup to the new 14" mustard one still in the box, but would not purchase it.
My advice...Set your price a little higher, or wait and buy a better quality used one.

Splint Eastwood · 11-03-2009, 10:41 AM

Check / call Klingspor Raleigh */Capital Blvd.

They had one on clearance $149 I think it was the 9inch bandsaw.

This was a week or two ago.

M

Kicbak · 11-03-2009, 11:11 AM

I have the Jet benchtop. It is similar to both the Rikon and Craftsman but it does has some distinct advantages.
http://www.waltermeier.com/us/manufa...7&product=1890

Pros
1) 1/2 hp motor instead of a 1/3 hp. I have been thinking about upgrading it to 1hp. It still doesn't have the power to cut wet bowl blanks. Switch over to using a festool jig saw with 4.5 inch blades for that.
2) The quick tension release on the back is really handy, assuming you remember to use it.
3) All the guides are bearings instead of those blocks that rub.

Cons
1) The stand uses the bottom of the saw as the top. Meaning it isn't easy to use the stand for anything else if you store the saw somewhere
2) knobs have a cheap plastic feel but considering it is about $300 its kind of what I expected.

Overall it is a good tool and I would keep it when I actually have a shop where I can get a larger bandsaw to resaw and cut thick stock. It works very well with ripping and curving 4/4 stock.

Wes

CarvedTones · 11-03-2009, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Kicbak

1/2 hp motor instead of a 1/3 hp. I have been thinking about upgrading it to 1hp. It still doesn't have the power to cut wet bowl blanks. Switch over to using a festool jig saw with 4.5 inch blades for that.

You just put me on another heading entirely; I had not considered that some jigsaws could cut at that thickness. I had given some very brief consideration to reciprocating saws. More research to do...

Kicbak · 11-03-2009, 12:09 PM

The good thing about bowl blanks is they can be totally sloppy to start. I just have a delta midi and just cut the corners enough to get it spinning. I bought a 12" pruning blade for my reciprocatingsaw but I haven't tried it yet. The jig saw is good for cutting bowl blanks that fit the midi.

Wes

CarvedTones · 11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

I started another thread on jig saws.

I have a B&D cordless powered handsaw with a pruning blade. It is an awesome yard tool, but not so good at ripping. I am ignoring it's "less power than what you are considering" issue. With a fresh battery, it will cut a 4" sapling down almost as quickly as a chain saw. It doesn't need too much power because it removes very little wood (thin kerf). But it binds too easy to rip or cut that depth for more than a short stretch. If I had more power I think I would just tear the blade up or rattle my teeth out, not cut better.

Tarhead · 11-03-2009, 12:40 PM

Andy I have the 9" Craftsman/Rikon and it's taken everything I've thrown at it after I figured out you have to adjust the drive belt super tight. I didn't at first and it kept stalling with very light cuts. I got it from a friend of John and Cathy Skipper in Forrest City who runs a perpetual Craftsman tool yardsale for cheap. The Craftsman version is heavier because they use cast iron tables and Rikon uses cast aluminum. Otherwise pretty much the same and should be able to interchange parts. It's light enough to pick up and move around, small enough to not hog a lot of storage space and has enough power if you're reasonable in your expectations and use a sharp blade. A 12" bandsaw is outside of what I would consider a portable benchtop tool.

Now if you stumble on an Inca I would make room for it. They're very nice saws. Made and perform like a Rolex.

CarvedTones · 11-03-2009, 01:55 PM

Mark,

I should do some maintenance on my little saw. I used to say stuff like that about it. It is nothing special, but it does have a stabilizer bar to limit vibration and stiffen it some:

And I used to resaw to just over 4" with it before I knew any better:

Your comments made me reflect on that. I don't think the motor has lost power since then. But that was cutting dry wood and the mahogany in the picture is pretty soft.

CarvedTones · 11-04-2009, 10:24 PM

It's official - I am a moron!

I messed around with the little bandsaw tonight. The cracked tension adjuster was not holding at all; zip, zero, nada, nothing! I knew it was hard to adjust , but thought I was getting some tension. The threaded rod extends out of the case just enough to put a washer under a nut and get a couple of turns to snug up and then I used a crescent wrench to turn it further and apply real tension. It cuts like it used to again! I still bogged it with 3" or so of fresh maple but I slowed the feed and got through it. The Bosch jigsaw is still on Santa's list, but I am not shopping for a different benchtop now.

Sealeveler · 11-05-2009, 06:38 AM

Try the timberwolf blades.They cut great on a 10" saw but the small radius is kinda rough on breaking them but I am more than likely doing something wrong.Tony

CarvedTones · 11-05-2009, 07:13 AM

Tony,

I have a TW; I bought a few a long time ago. Yes, the radius is tough on them and they do not warranty them in that length. It cuts much faster and rips better in the right stock. Sometimes I have to shut the saw off and drive a wedge in the kerf to keep from binding though. Lenox makes some that are a little thicker than most that work pretty well also. On a lot of stuff, I have actually found that the really thin ones work best for me. Tracking can be an issue, but the tiny kerf lets them sneak through without much power required. Big downside is that instead of bogging if you feed too fast they break.