Bandsaw for wood?

N

nc_cooter

Joined
Sep 26, 2004
Messages
574
Looking for a bandsaw for wood. It will be used for slab and rough profiling. As usual cost is a major consideration, but would like best bang for a buck.

Thanks.
 
I use the 14" band saw from HF it's about 250. Cheap, not very precise, but does all I want it to with good blades.
Stan
 
I got a 14" Jet for $425 at christmas time. Its a dream to use. My grizzly tools are usually pretty close to Jet though and usually 40% or so cheaper.
 
425 for a 14" Jet, that is only 25 dollars from what the Delta costs. I would think the Jet would be better than the Delta is, cool.
 
I don't have their bandsaw (yet), but I've been really impressed with Steel City's performance/price ratio. I have a table saw and drill press from them and they're built very solid for a machine in their price bracket.
 
I have INCA which is about 15 years old and going strong. Two considerations what is the throat size (how thick of piece can you cut) which for slabs is very important and where can you get blades.
 
Keep an eye for an older used Rockwell Delta. Twice the machine that's made today and half the price.
 
Get the biggest saw you can. (And remember- You usually get what you pay for in woodworking tools. ) Then take off the blade that came with it, and install a Wood Slicer blade. You can slab away for the next several years with ease.For re-sawing and flitching, you want a good solid fence.NEVER re-saw by hand.

For general cutting of blocks, etc., use a Tri-master carbide blade from Lenox.

These are two of the best blades on the market.

Wood Slicer
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1296

Tri-Master
http://www.lenoxtools.com/enUS/Product/Tri-master.html

Stacy
 
As tempting as it is price wise, do not buy the Rigid 14".

There is known issue with the wheels being unbalanced and Rigid seems to be unwilling to address the problem. Took me an entire afternoon and drilling 13 holes to remove enough material to balance the top wheel. Cuts better, but wish I had done my homework first. Hope this helps.
 
radius said:
As tempting as it is price wise, do not buy the Rigid 14".

There is known issue with the wheels being unbalanced and Rigid seems to be unwilling to address the problem. Took me an entire afternoon and drilling 13 holes to remove enough material to balance the top wheel. Cuts better, but wish I had done my homework first. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...


I've got one and it works great. Maybe I just got lucky?

Brad
www.AndersonKnives.ca
 
I certainly hope you did Brad.
It would be nice to know that Rigid finally corrected the issue.

Regards
Cliff
 
i was gonna use a mounted dewalt portaband to cut my wood, i just dont know what kinda blades to get that fit. ill try my metal blade--the inbox one. we will see--anyone think this is a bad idea
 
Thanks for the input. I have heard rumblings about the drop in Delta quality and the Rigid problems. A 14" saw is all I have room for and it will have to be on wheels. Good quality used bandsaws are scarce around here, been looking for 10yrs. Will have to check the imports.
 
I really like my Grizzly G0555 14" bandsaw. It has been treating me well for several years now. It looks like Grizzly has an upgraded model (the G0555X) which comes with a bigger table and better fence (makes me wonder if I can upgrade the fence on mine).

Erin
 
WOOD Magazine just did a comparsion test on several bandsaw's the Grizzly G0555 came out on top Shop Fox second, they beat out the Craftsman Jet and Rikon in the 14" catergory,check out their issue.
 
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