About any band saw to a new user will require some fooling around to get it right. Even when blades are changed, there are settings that have to be re-done.
The charm of the old USA-made Delta saws is that they are so easy to adjust, particularly the lower guides. As far as heavy duty goes, the Delta 14 is not built for that. The top wheel shaft is housed in pot metal. So are the so-called clones. Putting big, thick blades on a Delta 14 puts a lot of stress on the upper wheel assembly that it is not made for.
Here's some photos showing some aspects of the saws that don't seem to show up on other sites. Look at the photos and judge for yourself. Even photos won't show the actual differences one observes when looking at the saws and their components side by side.
Low priced band saws may have great utility to the user, but that doesn't mean that they are as well made as some other saws.
On the left is an upper wheel carriage from a Powermatic 141 14" band saw. All steel and cast iron. On the right is the cast aluminum upper carriage for a Delta band saw. There's a radical difference here in quality. Granted, the Powermatic 141 saws are hard to find and very sought after.
Delta's aluminum upper carriage, close-up
Delta's aluminum upper carriage, close-up inside. There's just not a lot of meat in there.
Underside of a Taiwan/Chinese saw. A Jet in this case. Just not much there.
Lower guide and trunnion bracket of an Asian made saw. Beyond is a cast iron trunnion bracket from an older USA-made Delta saw. This specimen is pretty ratty looking because it is all that I had at hand when I took the photos. The Asian saw has an aluminum trunnion bracket. The Delta guides have adjusters right out front that are easy to get to.
Another comparison shot. Calling the Asian made saws "Delta Clones" is observably not so correct. They may look like a Delta from 40 feet, but that's where the similarity ends.
Lower part of a Delta, this time cleaned up.
another shot of the lower part of a Delta saw.