"Sniperborg" wrote in message
...

Hi
I found one bandsaw within my £220 budget, which is a SIP 12" throat
bandsaw, the trouble is the cutting height which is only 7.5", is this
enough for rounding bowl blanks.

Does anyone know of a bandsaw thats available in the UK that can use a
riser block. All the models i've found are fixed height.

Another bandsaw that i've looked at is the Grizzly G1019Z but i don't
think this is availble in the uk. To ship it over from USA with import
tax etc makes it to exspensive.

If anyone can help with any of the above please let me know

7.5 is halfway on a 15" log. Since you want to cut away the center until
you've got about 3/4 between the sides of the first ring, it probably
equates to a 16 or better.

You can even go a bit more than that if you're working a circle jig. Tilt,
trim either side toward the middle, then the middle to size.

Though a lot of urban timber may be over 16, you'll notice that the heart
gets more problematic with diameter. That's why most commercial hardwoods
are cut around the 16 point, before they start to degrade.

Having used and heartily cursed two older grizzly models, and repaired and
re-repaired three other grant-purchased tools up at the school, I wouldn't
go around the block for them, much less pay import. Brand-new Delta stands
beside the 40 year old Rockwell BS now. The Grizzly is back in the corner
gathering dust.