Recommendation? 14" Bandsaws, (Wood)

I just upgraded from my Jet 14. It was an older version that I added bearing guides and the riser kit to. That saw took everything I could throw at it. I looked at a lot of saws and agree the Rikon looked nice as did the Laguna. I was looking in a different price range than you. I would also look for a good used one. Customer service from Grizzly has been top notch!
 
J. Hoffman said:
I just upgraded from my Jet 14. It was an older version that I added bearing guides and the riser kit to. That saw took everything I could throw at it. I looked at a lot of saws and agree the Rikon looked nice as did the Laguna. I was looking in a different price range than you. I would also look for a good used one. Customer service from Grizzly has been top notch!
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So you went with a grizzly? My budget is flexible but the six hundred range is what I could cover entirely with credit card points!
I plan on checking out the Rikon in person and may have to crack the wallet open too.
 
I have the Rikon and am really happy with it. Those of you with the DVR, do you cut metal with it? Just curious if the metal dust causes any problems with bearings, or going back and forth between wood and metal.
 
E.Carlson said:
So you went with a grizzly? My budget is flexible but the six hundred range is what I could cover entirely with credit card points!
I plan on checking out the Rikon in person and may have to crack the wallet open too.
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Yes I went with the 5hp 21". I was planning on getting the 18" Laguna but heard several complaints about not being able to adjust the lower guides easily. I gave up a little resaw height but gained 2 hp and blade length. It's had a couple of motor issues, but Grizzly has been awesome with warranty.
 
I have a 14” grizzly. I’ve had it for about two years and have used it pretty good. Mostly cutting kiln dried hickory and maple for handles. It’s been a good saw, no issues. The factory bearings can be a little loud but otherwise work fine. Will rip perfect with the right blade.
I’ll add that a quality sharp blade is the key. Even a $2K saw will cut awful with a $10 blade..
 
Just to ask I’ve thought about going from bearings to cool blocks? Any thoughts from you guys?
 
I vote Laguna too. I bought the 14"SUV - 3HP with 14" resaw height. It was the biggest & best I could afford at the time - with the Jet, Grizzly, and Rikon in contention but after lots of study I opted to spend the extra for the Laguna. I am exceptionally happy with this tool, even 6 years later. I pretty much run their carbide Resaw King blades - 5/8" to 3/4" and do all my rough stock ripping and resaw on it. Never use the table saw now for ripping. Absolutely no need, the bandsaw is powerful and absolutely safer than the table saw for that kind of work. There are indeed better bandsaws for more money but in the $2,000.00 (-) range I don't think you can beat the Laguna. My 2¢.

Ray
 
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