Alrighty, I am looking to get a larger bandsaw. I am currently operating with a 10" WEN bandsaw. The WEN has a resaw capacity of 6" with a max 1/2" blade and is a 1/2 HP motor. Does a great job for small stuff that is not terribly dense but being a small saw with limited power it does have obvious limitations. I "need" more biggerer and betterer. I want the ability to cut larger wood pieces on the bandsaw, resaw wood and have better success with cutting bowl blanks and items like that.
SO I have been doing some research and reading, looks like 14-18" is the area I am evolving too. I am not hung up on brand preference and frankly don't care all that much about brand specifically, just want a quality tool that will do all I need it too and last many, many moons. So here is the cut list (all have a minimum 12" resaw capacity):
Rikon 10-326, 14"
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1499
Laguna 14-12
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1,599
Laguna 14bx
- 3/4" blade max
- 2 1/2 HP
- $1,999
Grizzly G0555XH
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1,595
Grizzly G0817
- 3/4" blade max
- 2 HP
- $1950
This list may seem a little long but trust me, it could be a lot longer. I know Grizzly has had some good tools historically but it seems like they have fallen behind in recent years in the power tools market. Of this list, I am leaning towards the Rikon. It is an older model that has been out for a while but has had consistent and solid reviews since its release. The next one is the Laguna 14vx because of the HP but I'm not sure on the type of outlet plug that requires. The $1999 is the extreme max price point I am looking at.
Regardless of what saw I go with I need to upgrade the breaker from a 10amp to a 20amp. My question with that is should that break be a single pole or double pole? Or does that depend on a 1 3/4HP vs a 2 1/2JHP saw?
So basically I am just seeking input from all you more experienced guys. This is not a small purchase and I approaching it cautiously because its a lot of money. So let me know your thoughts and insight into this subject.
SO I have been doing some research and reading, looks like 14-18" is the area I am evolving too. I am not hung up on brand preference and frankly don't care all that much about brand specifically, just want a quality tool that will do all I need it too and last many, many moons. So here is the cut list (all have a minimum 12" resaw capacity):
Rikon 10-326, 14"
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1499
Laguna 14-12
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1,599
Laguna 14bx
- 3/4" blade max
- 2 1/2 HP
- $1,999
Grizzly G0555XH
- 3/4" blade max
- 1 3/4 HP
- $1,595
Grizzly G0817
- 3/4" blade max
- 2 HP
- $1950
This list may seem a little long but trust me, it could be a lot longer. I know Grizzly has had some good tools historically but it seems like they have fallen behind in recent years in the power tools market. Of this list, I am leaning towards the Rikon. It is an older model that has been out for a while but has had consistent and solid reviews since its release. The next one is the Laguna 14vx because of the HP but I'm not sure on the type of outlet plug that requires. The $1999 is the extreme max price point I am looking at.
Regardless of what saw I go with I need to upgrade the breaker from a 10amp to a 20amp. My question with that is should that break be a single pole or double pole? Or does that depend on a 1 3/4HP vs a 2 1/2JHP saw?
So basically I am just seeking input from all you more experienced guys. This is not a small purchase and I approaching it cautiously because its a lot of money. So let me know your thoughts and insight into this subject.