Metal Cutting Bandsaw questions

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godogs57

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Apr 16, 2004
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Been cutting on my $175 special for 10 years now...it has a 1 hp motor and it is, other than the larger motor, like all those others in that price range...64 1/2" in blade and does a decent job. Starting to wear out now, hard to keep in line, etc...good time to upgrade.

Wanting to upgrade, and see where Sears has a wood/metal cutting bandsaw for a $999.99 (15") and $1299 (18") in their Craftsman catalog. This has caught my eye because we have a Sears card and I could make a purchase that large more easier if I spread out the payments. Question: Anyone ever work with one of those dual purpose bandsaws? Are they a pain in the butt to switch over to from one speed to another? Do they do a decent job, or, like some dual purpose tools, do a halfway job with both? I see where Wilton sells a similar saw and Koval et.al. sells them.

If they don't do a good job, I could just get one of those in the $500 range from Northern tool...any comments on those?

Comments are very much appreciated

Hank Hammond
 
Thanks for the tips...I had no idea that there were sites devoted just to 4x6 bandsaws...what a hoot. I do like the idea regarding building a box for the saw, as opposed to leaving the old sheet metal stand...I do need more stability.

Take it easy.
 
Went back and looked at my bandsaw..it is a Jet brand...was looking at purchasing some parts for it and now see that the Jet co. is a Canadian company and does not sell in the US. Any suggestions on how to get parts? Specifically, I am needing a new set of blade guide brackets (that hold the rollers above and below the cutting table. They are the "good" ones that are solid not stamped metal. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again!
 
godogs57 said:
Went back and looked at my bandsaw..it is a Jet brand...was looking at purchasing some parts for it and now see that the Jet co. is a Canadian company and does not sell in the US. Any suggestions on how to get parts? Specifically, I am needing a new set of blade guide brackets (that hold the rollers above and below the cutting table. They are the "good" ones that are solid not stamped metal. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again!
Click to expand...
Jet machines and parts are sold all over the USA. :)

Don Hanson lll

P.S. I have one of the Wilton wood/metal saws and it's a fine machine but I have found that I still use my old 4x6 grizzly for metal and just use the Wilton for ivory and wood. Those old cheap metal saws are hard to beat, mine is about 14 years old and get's used everyday.
 
Good Lord Trick, Tifton is about 40 miles from here...thanks so much for your help!

Sunfishman: I have an old Craftsman wood bandsaw that I have refurbished. It appears that my best option is to rework the old Jet and save myself some bucks.

I appreciate the help!

Hank Hammond
 
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