Anyone ever use the 9" Delta Band saw?

wildmanh

wildmanh

Part time Leather Bender/Sheath maker
Joined
Jul 9, 2000
Messages
7,764
I'm going to buy a small band saw to cut out wood handles and other odd things around the house and the 9" Delta Band saw has caught my eye. Cen get it locally for around $89... It's the Delta Model BS100. Anyone have any experience with this model? Can I get some Pointers abou Band saws in general? I've been using Delta tools for a long time and trust them, just mainly looking info on Band saws in general I guess.

I have a bunch of woods I'll be using to make knife handles out of. Most of it is big chunks that need to be cut down to size. I've done a few handles in the past and really enjoyed it. Since I developed Popeye Elbow a few months back I have to be carefull with what I do, so a Band saw would really help. Going to use some Purple heart to rehandle my BK-9 and possibly a Ranger Knives RD-7, White Maple for my SOG X-42 Field knife.. and so on. :D. Just got to sell my UBE (Check the sale forum).... If anyone has any info on that model or recommendations on using them in general, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,

Heber
 
I have a larger model Delta. You might want to consider the fence attachment that lets you cut at angles too. Be extremely careful and use push sticks. Wood can be replaced. Fingers can't.

Ice
 
I have read this sort of question at woodnet.com. The responses that I read generally went something like - get a bigger bandsaw. People reported blade tracking problems with the smaller ones.
I don't have a bandsaw, so this is "second hand" info.
I use a jig saw, saber saw, circular saw and table saw - but have always been wary of bandsaws after meeting people who lost fingers to them.
I know that the table saw is responsible for lots of accidents each year.
I am skeptical about the quality of the cheap, small bandsaws.
 
The Delta 14" is a standard - by which others are judged. I love mine and use it for a million shop tasks. The Highland Hardware Wood Slicer super-thin re-saw blade is a great addition, as are the unique after-market tune-up products from Itura Designs. It isn't a cheap tool, but there are used ones out there. You won't be disappointed.
 
I have had the 9-in. Delta for about two years. It's much better than nothing (or than a coping saw, for example), but it does have its limitations. Most of all, I find I can't put on as much blade tension as I'd like, and as a result I find the blade flexes too easily out of vertical when I'm sawing something very hard or relatively thick. Still and all, for under $100, it's a pretty nice machine and impressively versatile. Yes, I'd much rather have a 14-inch bandsaw, but good ones at that size start at well over $400 (plus shipping in the case of Grizzly).
 
I've been drooling over the 14" Delta, but at $400 from Sears, it's a little out of my price range. $120 is about my max. Thats where the 9" comes in.. actually I'd really like the 10" but no one carries it here.

Thanks for the words of causion. I will definantly be carefull with it. I have a lot of respect for power tools. Seen lots of bad things happen with them before. :eek: What are these push sticks? Are they just pieces of lumber you hold on to and use to push the wood threw the saw?

Thanks,

Heber
 
wildmanh said:
What are these push sticks? Are they just pieces of lumber you hold on to and use to push the wood threw the saw?
Click to expand...

A push stick is like a wooden paint stirring stick. It has shapes like a "V" or "L" shape cut into one end to make it easier to move the wood when you cut.

Ice
 
Save the money buy the 14 inch from grizzly. If you are serious you will end up doing it eventually anyway. Then you will just wish you hadn't wasted the money on the little saw.
 
i have a delta 9" and a delta 14" and i find that the 9" DOES have its limits(but most tools do) and the 14" is strong but too bulky for precision work IMHO. I use the 9" for cutting ALOT of different materials i.e.:carbon-fiber,
G-10,various woods and other synthetic handle materials,truthfully i have even used it to cut steel b4 but i wouldnt suggest that w/o the right blades and proper tension. I have used the 14" for mostly just cutting steel and carbon steels,usual blade w/19-24tpi i find works well for me. I think if all you're gonna do with the 9" is just cut woods and those types of materials,than the 9" should be JUST FINE for what u wanna do with it. Many guys who use these types of tools arent willing to push the limit of their tools for whatever reasons. I can say that i have,definatively,PUSHED the 9" to the very EDGE of what it is,and tryed to make it push past that limit w/o breaking it,and i suceeded.i say if its what u can afford,then get it,if u can afford the 14" one,then get that one. but i think if u get the 9" saw and use it for what u want then u will be suprized at just how much it can and will do for u. good luck.
Storm-Shadow :cool: :cool:
 
Storm-Shadow, Thanks for that information. Since I mainly will be using it to cut out knife handles and the ocational home inprovement project, I figure it should be good enough. My Delta Sander has taken quite a lot since I got it and it's still working great! Thanks again for to all those that commented. :D Will let everyone know how it goes when I get it.. Possibly this weekend.

Heber
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top