Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

rich wrote:
Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see
a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else
I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta
or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not
brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00
one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

Take a hard look at the 14" Craftsman. It works fine out of the box
but you should get the set of three blades. In your price range it's
IMO the best bet. The next step up would IMO be the 14" Rikon Deluxe,
which is pretty much the same saw with more features and more resaw
capacity for about $300 more.

The upside to it is that it cuts everything I've thrown at it, and
I've thrown a good deal of stuff at it so far. Lyptus wanders, but
Lyptus has given me trouble with every saw I've used on it. Maple,
black walnut, ipe, lignum vitae, pine, douglas fir, cebil, all cut as
straight as you please with the half inch blade. I've resawed up to
its capacity, does fine, if it burns or bogs down it's generally
because I did something. Dust collection works well if you've got a
real dust collector--it's got a 4 inch port and a 2-1/2 inch port.
Shop vac alone doesn't keep the dust from building up inside. The
factory blade is surprisingly good. The fence is "ok"--it works well
enough that I haven't felt any urgent need to replace it but it's not
one that I would hold up as a model of excellence. Resaw capacity is
8 inches, which at the time was more than any other 14" without an
extender (note that the Rikon Deluxe takes this to 13")

The roller guides are a mixed blessing. For resawing they're very
nice, but they place a lower limit on the blade width--too narrow and
the teeth hit the guide--this is a problem if you're planning on doing
scroll work with short radius curves. So far I haven't found a source
for solid guides. I wouldn't call them a disadvantage, but they're a
choice that Sears made that optimizes the saw in one direction at the
expense of another.

Now, the downsides.

Big one is that it needs a lot of power to start up. I initially had
it on a 25 foot 10 gage extension cord plugged into a 15 amp outlet
(the closest available) and it took forever to come up to speed start
and popped the breaker half the time. I figured it was the extension
cord and ran it a new 220v circuit and a 20A 110 for the light.
Before I rewired the saw for 220 I tried it on the 110 circuit and it
was fine but since the 220 was already in I went ahead and rewired it
and it seemed to like that.

Table tilt is pretty rough. I seldom need to tilt the table on it so
that's not a big deal for me--if you do need to then try it in the
store and make sure it's OK for your need.

Other than that the disadvantages are mainly just lack of features.
There's no tension release (the Rikon has this) and the wheel is
pretty stiff. This means that I'm not as "religious" about releasing
the tension as perhaps I should be. So far no ill effects but time
will tell. The fence mounting is from the bottom, this means that you
can't put a Kreg on it without drilling the edge of the table (the
Rikon table is already drilled). Not a huge deal but something to be
aware of. I think that's about it for the negatives.



--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

On Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:11:19 -0800 (PST), rich wrote:

Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

That's a tough price range.. Ridgid should be around $350 I think.. I paid 300
for mine a few years ago..

$800 would get the Grizzly G0457, which was just highly rated and a "best value"
in the Sept./Oct. issue of Fine woodworking..
They rated the G0555x pretty well, also, at $625


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Just bought a Rigid for $350. I would not spend any more than that for a
14" saw. It has everything I need. I intend to add a fence later. My
next choice was a Delta or Craftsman for around $500.

I can't see spending any more than what I spend for what I am going to
use it for (hobby tools in the garage).

mac,
Asking what is the 'best' is a dangerous question - it really depends on
individual 'sensibilities' plus has been known to start a LOT of fights!!

That being said - I went through the same exercise a few years ago. I had
been putting off buying a bandsaw for several years. The 'jaws' of my
dilemma were 'cost vs. usage'. I finally made the decision when I saw a
GREAT deal on Amazon.

For under $400 I got a 14" JET Open-Stand, plus the Fence and Miter Gauge
{usually Optional at $$}. Later I got the 6" Riser {to have on-hand - 'just
in case'}.

Added a shelf to the legs, and got a 'rolling base'. It's one of those tools
that you may not use often, but when you need it - you REALLY need it !! Or,
suddenly you find a LOT of projects use a bandsaw !!

Right now - this same unit - can be had at a LOT of places for what I paid.

Regards and Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

"mac davis" wrote ...
SNIP
Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for general use in the shop. This
is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some resaw work now and then, some curved
chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about.
SNIP
So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

rich wrote:
Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

For me it all came down to being at the right place at the right time.
This has happened to me a couple of times, and one time was with the
band saw. I had been looking at the Jet and Delta a few years ago.
Then I walked into my local Sears and they had a 14" Professional
clearance priced at $175. It works just fine thank you very much. Even
tracked down the "real" manufacturer and got a 6" riser kit for $60. I
will have to say though, that blades make a big difference.

When I got it home and set up I tried cutting some wood just to get
familiar with it. I was beginning to think that I got what I paid for.
Then a short time later my riser kit came. After I got it installed
and new "quality" blades put in, it was MUCH better. Could be a couple
of reasons for that including me becoming more familiar with the tool,
getting it better adjusted when I put in the riser kit, etc. But I
saying it was the blades. :-)

Some time later I was at Big Orange (Home Depot) and was looking around
at their woodworking tools. I was actually thinking about getting a
jointer, but the sticker shock got me a little. If I remember right the
6" Ridgid jointer was going for $399 at the time. Then the salesman sez
to me he sez "We have two of last years models we are clearing out. The
ONLY difference is that they changed the color." "How much?" sez I.
"$150" sez he. "MINE!" sez I. Also new in the box. The new ones were
Ridgid orange and the one that I bought was gray. I liked the gray
better anyway.

I have also been at the right place at the right time for some clamps
and my mortising machine. I found 24" Bessey Uniclamps (the little grey
ones) for $5 each at Lowes, Delta mortising machine for $50 (it's the
little one but hey! 50 bucks is 50 bucks and it does what I want), and
more Bessey clamps (k-bodies this time) being clearanced for $25 each
for the 40" type.

Just keep your eyes and your options open and just maybe something will
fall into your lap. Keep you eye on Craigslist too. Of course if time
is a factor then forget everything I just said.



Wayne

Rich,

I have the Ridig bs that i got a great deal on several years ago when HD was
changing Rigid tools from grey to orange...and I really like it.

That being said, I was close to buying the Grizz Ultimate BS. I have heard
some really nice things about that saw.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/The-...-Bandsaw/G0555

Skip
www.ShopFileR.com


"rich" wrote in message
...
Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 15:07:11 GMT, "Ron Magen" wrote:

mac,
Asking what is the 'best' is a dangerous question - it really depends on
individual 'sensibilities' plus has been known to start a LOT of fights!!

That being said - I went through the same exercise a few years ago. I had
been putting off buying a bandsaw for several years. The 'jaws' of my
dilemma were 'cost vs. usage'. I finally made the decision when I saw a
GREAT deal on Amazon.

For under $400 I got a 14" JET Open-Stand, plus the Fence and Miter Gauge
{usually Optional at $$}. Later I got the 6" Riser {to have on-hand - 'just
in case'}.

Added a shelf to the legs, and got a 'rolling base'. It's one of those tools
that you may not use often, but when you need it - you REALLY need it !! Or,
suddenly you find a LOT of projects use a bandsaw !!

Right now - this same unit - can be had at a LOT of places for what I paid.

Regards and Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

I've been very happy with the Ridgid...
The riser kit is cool.. you should install it in your Jet... Not just more
cutting height but more light, room to move wood around, etc...

As with most of my tools, I went to a link belt fairly soon after buying the saw
and it made quite a bit of difference..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:43:02 -0500, "Skip Williams"
wrote:

Rich,

I have the Ridig bs that i got a great deal on several years ago when HD was
changing Rigid tools from grey to orange...and I really like it.

That being said, I was close to buying the Grizz Ultimate BS. I have heard
some really nice things about that saw.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/The-...-Bandsaw/G0555

Skip
www.ShopFileR.com



That looks like a lot of saw for the money... If I was comparing it and the
Ridgid head-to-head I'd go with the Griz..

That said, the motivation for getting the Ridgid seems pretty common:
My wife got me a HD credit card and if your 1st purchase was over $300 you got
10% off and no interest or payments for a year..
Why Ridgid? It was the only 14" BS that HD carried, and I could take it HOME the
same night.. lol

Some big tools like that not only have the "ok, I can wait for it" thing, but
the shipping cost to consider..

"rich" wrote in message
...
Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !



mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

HD had the 14" BS for $349 with free shipping but they are out of stock
online, so I go into the local HD and ask them to drop their instore
price of $369 down $20 to match the online price. Mgr say that is
against policy but yeah he would do it for me.

One of the last few Fine Woodwoirkings just did a review on Bandsaws.
Maybe slightly higher price range but Grizzly had a winner in the
group.


On Nov 29, 11:11 am, rich wrote:
Hi All. Checked the archives for band saw info, but not much in the
past few years. Also went thru my stack of WW mags, and didn't see a
review of band saws. Anyway, I'm looking for a 14" band saw for
general use in the shop. This is a hobby, not a job! Maybe some
resaw work now and then, some curved chair parts, and what ever else I
learn about. I have a Grizzley TS that I like, Delta planer, Delta or
Jet DC ( I forgot ), NoName drill press, so you can see I'm not brand
loyal.

So... what brand is the best buy. I don't need or want a $1500.00 one
that will do everything to perfection, but something in the $300-500
range, or so.

Thanks for all your input! ! !

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
...
One of the last few Fine Woodwoirkings just did a review on Bandsaws.
Maybe slightly higher price range but Grizzly had a winner in the
group.

snip

Many of us think that article was malarkey.

My Jet bs has none of the deficiencies they described. They need to stick to
woodworking articles.