Choosing Tool Bandsaw

Jack A.

Jack
Corporate Member
Not everyone does Facebook. My ID was stolen by some kid in China trying to get around their firewall. Facebook won't fix it. Craig's list is still OK for local tools. E-bay I trust about as far as I can throw my table saw. It is a cabinet. It is heavy. I can't lift one corner. We do now have Rex's site for hand tools buying and selling by woodworkers.

Snark, snark, yea a used benchtop saw is someone else figured out they wanted a
"real" saw. :)

I haven't been able to sell anything on craigslist in the last couple years. I'll list something and no contacts for weeks. List something on FB and I get a dozen contacts w/in hours.

I typically go on craigslist if I'm looking to buy something because their search works better. Sadly people on craigslist seem to have gotten worse about getting back to you when you contact them. FB tends to be a whole lot better about that.
 

paulmeinhart

New User
Paul
I am finding myself in need of a better bandsaw. I bought a Wen tabletop saw that I am supremely disappointed in. I am trying to use it to cut 1-3" thick blanks for turning, and it just doesn't seem to have the juice.
I'd like to get some input on a tabletop saw, keeping in mind I am not wanting to spend a pile of money, and it would be more for occasional use.
I did consider this one:

I have a Grizzly 14" G1019 that i'm trying to sell for cheap. It's in fine shape. Has seen little use over the years.
 

karlkoch

Karl
Senior User
I looked at Rikon and Harvey. Decided on a 3HP Harvey and don't have any regrets. I feel like it's very well made, the fence etc. are square and the blades run true without vibration. It has two vacuum ports...quite th upgrade from my old Craftsman 12".
 

rmontgomery1

Roger
Senior User
Stolen, Hacked, inaccessible.

WEN 3962T 3.5A 110V is as usual sold out. WEN makes batches and does not keep large supplies. I suspect that is one way they keep costs down. I am a fan of WEN, but as the best dirt cheap junk tools, not as serious tools.

HP listings are somewhat misleading. Torque differs between universal and induction motors and with RPM. You can get about a 1 3/4 HP on 110V with a universal motor @ 15A. 3 1/2 Amp on 110V? Good for cutting 1/4 inch pine maybe.
Mine is a Wen 3959T I bought new, in the box, from a guy on FB. Just super disappointed in it.
 

mentosik83

mentosik83
User
I was in the same position and I got used Rikon 10-325 for like $500. It ton of ripping capacity and pretty powerful motor. I see this model here and there for like $900.
 

Hmerkle

Board of Directors, Development Director
Hank
Staff member
Corporate Member
Mine is a Wen 3959T I bought new, in the box, from a guy on FB. Just super disappointed in it.
Roger, you say "Just super disappointed in it."
Can you elaborate on your disappointments?
 

rmontgomery1

Roger
Senior User
Roger, you say "Just super disappointed in it."
Can you elaborate on your disappointments?
It's hard to adjust, and even when getting the guide pins as close as possible without binding, the blade still drifts in anything heavier than ~1/4". And never mind anything over an inch think. It'll come to a dead stop. Plus, it's a 59-1/2" blade, which to me appears to be an oddball size.
I'm no bandsaw expert, and maybe for very light work this is fine.. But I've stalled this thing cutting a 3/4" epoxy blank! The one I used to use in a friend's shop (Rikon) was quite a bit more powerful than that.
Kinda goes back to that 'you get what you pay for' adage.
 
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rmontgomery1

Roger
Senior User
@rmontgomery1 Are you still using the stock blade? If so, I'd recommend trying a new blade before buying a new saw.

You can have one made by Union Grove Saw and Knife (one of our sponsors), or you can buy one from Highland Woodworking (blades for small bandsaws are at the end of the list).
I'm not against that idea. I need to go back and look at the blade requirements again.
Update: just placed an order for a 3/8" 4tpi blade. We'll see how it works out. Thank you for the tip!
 
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rmontgomery1

Roger
Senior User
I did get the Highlands Woodworking blade and it worked perfectly!! Tuned the saw as best I could using Alex Snodgrass' video. Made a HUGE difference -BUT- the guide has a ton of play in it, and as far as I can tell, there is no method to tighten that up.
 

Craptastic

Matt
Corporate Member
Went to Menards and lookd at the Rikon 310. That thing is a steal (even with shipping) if they have kept the quality there. I'm even considering replacing my BS with that. I think something that nice I would use more often.
 

ErinJ

Pat
User
Went to Menards and lookd at the Rikon 310. That thing is a steal (even with shipping) if they have kept the quality there. I'm even considering replacing my BS with that. I think something that nice I would use more often.
Don't you think a 10" saw is just too small? Why not go somewhere in the middle? 14"? Laguna 14|12? You'll never when you need something bigger in the future.
 

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