Bandsaw thoughts ...

[WoodWrangler]

I'm considering putting another, smaller, bandsaw back in my shop. Since I too quickly sold my Grizzly 0555 with the arrival of the Laguna, I'm now right back in the market for another small bandsaw (14"-16" probably).

Used would be okay, but I'm not having much luck finding the right match for price/quality/features. I'm willing to give a little, but not too much since it's a convenience purchase and I don't want a tool that's a hassle.

Today I took a trip by WC and took a look at their selection. The one that probably stood out was the Steel City 14" Deluxe bandsaw (the Powematic did too, but also at a much higher price point). Does anyone here have that Steel City bandsaw? If so, what do you think of it?

Though I kinda hate to admit it, I also looked at the Craftman 14" bandsaw (actually dragged myself in that store) ... and I have to admit, it actually looked half decent. The downsides ... it uses a non-standard blade size (99 3/4"), it's Craftsman -- which always burns me. The upsides ... it's a decent price and it has cast iron wheels, a light, and decent bearings.

Other options include getting another Grizzly (maybe?), Jet, Rikon, MiniMax and Laguna -- at least those are the ones I've looked at seriously.

The saw will not be needed for resawing. Instead it will be the saw with the small blade for "curve" work & such. Power should be adequate (a concern with the smaller saws), but doesn't need to be overkill (a price concern with the larger units)

Your thoughts ... opinions ... advice.

 

[Trog777]

Same boat here, though looking at cheaper alternatives than new 14" saws. Like to find a good deal on a used one, but no luck so far. I've also looked at the Craftsman line as they seem to get good reviews in their price range. I think they're made by Rikon.

 

[gator]

I wouldn't be too worried about blade length. When you order from Timberwolf (Suffolk Machinery) they custom make to length.

George

 

[Mark Fogleman]

Did you happen to look at the 10" Bandsaw made for Sears by the same factory as Rikon? It looks pretty good and has a cast iron table, roller guides, etc. and is a better saw than the Rikon version. I'm waiting on it to go on sale for $99 again. Figure it can handle anything below 1" thick and not take up the space a 14" does.

 

[DaveO]

Jeremy, here you go http://www.ncwoodworker.net/ppclass/showproduct.php?product=246
I know that you've seen it already, but it looks like a good deal for your 2nd BS needs.
Dave

 

[jeff...]

Go horizontal, with a high HP gas or diesel motor and a 36" diameter capacity, that'll throw sawdust about 10 feet away. I promise you you'll stop thinking about Craftsman, Grizzly Jet, Rikon, MiniMax and Laguna for a while anyways :tongue100:

 

[cskipper]

Sorry, I just can't resist! Band saw thoughts?

1, He wants me to cut what????
2. I wish he'd remember to occasionally relax my tension.
3. I need an auxiliary table to really shine.
4. Riser blocks would be cool today - I could re-saw much wider boards.
5. Wonder when he'll figure out bi-metal blades are best?
6. Oh-oh, what's that squeak?

 

[Bas]

This reply is short on advice, long on thoughts.

_Another_ band saw? Bwahahahahahaahaahaahahha eh oh, sorry. Basically, what you're saying is you hate having to change blades to do some curve work But I'm with you on that one. Setting up a band saw is not a 30 second job, with the guide adjustments, tension etc. etc. a real pain at times. But this is what I'd call a "luxury" problem.

Of course, I hope you've learned your lesson to NEVER sell a good tool, unless you absolutely have to because otherwise the new tool won't fit in the shop. Remember, you can work much more productively if you can have seven routers dedicated to your most commonly used bits as well.

Oh, the band saw question. I don't think there is too much difference between the 14" Delta, Grizzly 0555, JET, and even the Craftsman. In this category, and for what you plan to use the saw for, there isn't too much variation in features. Since this is your secondary saw, have you considered buying whatever is available first on Craig's List? Makes things a lot easier.

Or, demote your Laguna to secondary saw, and buy something even bigger to replace it!

 

[Travis Porter]

My suggestion is to wait and buy a used one off of craigs list. No matter what brand, if you can get it for a good price, you can always buy the parts to upgrade it from Iturra and you are primarily going to be cutting curves with it anyway. Any of the new would be nice, but you aren't in a hurry I don't think and you have the Laguna. Yes, you will need to take the power feeder off, but that really isn't that hard to do if you need to use the saw. My .02

 

[Gotcha6]

I also frequent Sears to look @ tools while holding my nose sometime. It'll be interesting to see, though, what will happen to Craftsman when Sears breaks up - anticipated to happen sometime this year. They will probably have to get off the porch & start runnin' with the big dogs. Expect them to get more competitive on quality for the high end tools to retain market share.

 

[Trog777]

This reply is short on advice, long on thoughts.

_Another_ band saw? Bwahahahahahaahaahaahahha eh oh, sorry. Basically, what you're saying is you hate having to change blades to do some curve work But I'm with you on that one. Setting up a band saw is not a 30 second job, with the guide adjustments, tension etc. etc. a real pain at times. But this is what I'd call a "luxury" problem.

You're right, reason wise, but as I use the band saw in lieu of a table saw, I have to switch more often. I look at it as a table saw shop that's wanting to add a band saw. Least that's how I'm justifying the purchase in my head.

Tarhead, the CM 10" would probably work just fine for me. It looks like a fair deal at the regular price. If it goes to $99, I think it would be a steal.

Ideally I'll find a used 14" saw that hasn't any upgrades in the price. Heck I don't even need a fence.

 

[JohnW]

Jeremy,
I use the 10" Rikon for small stuff. Mostly cutting out rough templates and traced lines. Put on a Timberwolf blade (don't remember the size...maybe 1/8") Very convenient and cuts well. I've got it in a garage off of Idlewild Rd between Margaret Wallace & 51...Your're welcome to come and try it out.

John W

 

[Makinsawdust]

Jeremy,
I've been using the little 14" Rikon as a second saw for about 2yrs now. I got it for $400 when WC had a sale. It's not the best saw I've ever seen or used but it gets the job done. Features that I like are the larger table, and table height is good for us taller folk. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have a de-tensioning device.
Rob

 

[cpowell]

The Laguna will allow you to run down to 1/4 blades with the stock guides, right? If that's the case are you just looking for something to park a 1/8 blade on for scrolling? I would just go small, used and cheap then. No need for anything fancy for a scrolling setup.


Chuck

 

[WoodWrangler]

JohnW - Thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it. I'm not sure if 10" will be "too small" or not, so maybe that would let me see one in action.

cpowell - The Laguna can take a small blade, but it's the "convenience factor" I'm after here. I'd like to have one saw with a smaller blade, and one with a larger resaw blade so I don't have to lose my resaw setup when in the middle of multiple projects (usually my case).

 

[cskipper]

I bought a small band saw for a 1/8" blade so that LOML didn't have to change the blade on his so often. Bought one that apparently has a strange blade length. Broke that blade, but am still using a 1/4" blade. So, be sure you can easily obtain a blade for whatever you use for your 1/8" blade.

 

[PeteQuad]

I don't know much about scroll saws, but what about just getting one of them?

 

[WoodWrangler]

I don't know much about scroll saws, but what about just getting one of them?

Got one. They are good, just way (way!) too slow for anything other than scroll work, in my opinion.

As an update, I worked out a deal with Clark for the Grizzly he had posted for sale. I'm going to buy that one as it will meet my needs. I'll post pics once it happens. :thumbs_up

 

[WoodWrangler]

Well, here it is ... picked up a used Grizzly 14" bandsaw from Clark (aka daclgr) with Kreg fence, resaw guide, light, cool blocks, wheel base, and new tires & bearings. A couple bucks more than I planned on spending, but a good fit for what I needed. :icon_thum

 

[Cliff]

Looks like no one has given 'props' to this reply yet - funny stuff, Cathy.