band saw advice

[Sqirrely]

Hi,
  i've been looking into getting a bandsaw for some time now and would like to keep it under 500 bucks , I was wondering if anyone has any expierience with the porter cable 14" , how about a delta 14"

Thanks

[John Scifres]

The older Delta's are great.  I have also used the older Craftsman's and they are pretty good too.  I find a lot of the older saws on craigslist for really good prices.  The newer consumer model Delta's and especially the new Craftsmans are not nearly as good.  If I were in the market, I'd buy a used one off craigllist.com

[Jim Curlee]

I have a Jet which is a copy of the Delta 14" bandsaw. Had it for over 25 years, been a good machine.
Jim

[Scott F]

It is more than the maximum price that you are asking for but there is an 18" Jet for sale near me on Craigslist for $650.

[MercilessMing]

I heard good feedbac about Grizzly is as good comparing with Delta when I was researching for a bandsaw for bow making.  Although I ended up buying a used 8" Delta just for making limbs, I would give either Grizzly or Delta a try when I am ready for some heavier usage.

[Pat B]

I have a 14", 1hp Grizzly  and love it. I have other Grizzly power tools and they are well made, have good tech support and any parts you may ever need.
  For bow building(at least selfbows) I would go for a 1hp at least. Better a litte over sawed than under. IMO

[blackfeather44]

I have been using a Craftsman 80" saw since '93, using the "skip tooth" blades.  Get the one with legs, not the cabinet...it's more stable. Only problem is that no one but Sears carries the blades/bands.

[Eric Krewson]

You will never regret buying a bigger saw with more HP. I have regretted buying an under powered bandsaw twice because I had to replace both of them.

[Eastern fisher]

I had a Rockwell-King that my Brother-in-laws friend gave him and it was useless.  The blade was thin, if you even so much as put the littlest pressure on the blade it would stop.  No good.  I was checking out the Busy Bee Tool place, not sure if they are in the States or not and they have Bandsaws starting at $550.  I tried the newer Mastercraft ones from Canadian tire.  Not powerful enough either.  Pay the money for a decent one.  As the old saying goes.  You get what you pay for

[sulphur]

the 14" grizzly deluxe is under $500.  I have had one for about a year and love it. you will not be dissapponted.  easy to tune, lots of power (1 hp) and tough as could be.  i got mine for $475 which included shipping.

[Catahoula]

Hi,

I have had my Griz 14 for several years...wouldn't have anything else...get the riser with it and you can resaw small logs and such.  Use mine mostly for making NA style flutes and furniture.  One way or another get the best you can afford.

[Flinttim]

After buying a Grizzly metal lathe and a wood joiner, I'd vote Grizzly too.

[Robertfishes]

Blackfeather, I bought several 80" blades from Bandsawblades.com they will make them any size. I also had them make me a 80" carbide blade.

[pditto613]

Most entry level bandsaws don't have a ripfence, A good one is over $100.  The grizzly ultimate comes with one and has a larger motor.  In the long run the ultimate is cheaper and probably better.  I wish I had bought it instead of Rigid.

[Flinttim]

Like it or not, all the saws mentioned so far are Chinese or Taiwan made. So you have to pick from which ones are best made and control quality the best. Heck the Delta and Rigid and Jet are likely made in the same factory in China. My experience with Grizzly is, they do the best at quality control. They are made in Taiwan and the Taiwan stuff always seems to be better.Plus if you buy  Grizzly, you get that neat catalog every now and then.

[Sqirrely]

Thanks for your input guys I'm going with the grizzly ultimate .

[fish n chicks]

You made a wise decision my friend. I am currently saving up for that exact one. While you are at it, I would look at also purchasing the riser bar for 69 bucks. It'll give you another 6" of resaw clearance. May not mean much to some, but that is HUGE when it comes to resawing 2x8's, 10', 12's, and for me since I carve decoys, the clearance is also a must.

[Teagus]

Anybody reto-fitting with the Kreg adjustable fence for resawing lams?

[Flinttim]

While you are ordering, get a 3-4 tpi skip tooth blade 1/2" wide. (if you are doing selfbows anyway)Anything narrower tends to wander quite a bit.