Table top band saw nightmare

[JamesV]

I was given a (no name) 3 wheel table top bandsaw. After months of new blades and adjusting I put it in the trash. Never cut more than a few min without the blade jumping off the wheels. I was looking at a Skill 2 wheel tabletop, any suggestions guys?

[Pat B]

If you are using it for bow building I would suggest a 14" with at least 1 hp motor.  Check out Grizzly!

[walkabout]

yea 14" is probably ideal. i have used a 9" but its not easy to do stuff like cutting out risers. grizzly like pat said is probably the most reccomended brand of saw.

[JamesV]

Thanks guys, willl give grizzly a look

[kodiakkid]

Grizzly has the 14" model G0555 on sale for 425.00 + 75.00 shipping. They also have one in the color white that they claim is the same as the G0555 for 399.00. My wife just ordered me one for an anniversary gift. I'm waiting for it to get here. I also tried one of the small Craftsman saws. It too was junk.

[John Scifres]

I highly recommend getting an older saw off craigslist.  I used a 12" Craftsman for 10 years and hundreds of staves and bows.  It's still going strong in someone else's shop.  I don't know where you are in Mississippi, but here's one in Memphis, Tn for $75  http://memphis.craigslist.org/tls/1778462070.html   There are several others in the list.

[Shaun]

I have a 19" Jet, 14" Delta and recently picked up a slightly used 9" Delta table top for travel set up. The 9" saw will cut fine with a sharp blade and going slowly. I paid $40 for it off Craig's list.

The little 9" BS100 is a fine tool and for casual use should not be rejected out of hand. The same saw is sold under several brand names with different color and stickers on it. New cost around $120.

If you find you are hooked on bow building or enjoy spending time doing shop carpentry, then a 14" bandsaw is a good investment. It will last much longer and cut easier.

[fish n chicks]

Benchtop band saws suck. No disrespet to those that like theirs. I got myself a 9" craftsman, newer one even with very little use on it off craigs list and it has been the nightmare tool in my shop. If you can't afford the $500 for the 14" grizzly (still saving for that myself) I'd at least go with the new 12" craftsman. $380 from their stores:

 http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00922400000P?vName=Tools+%26+Equipment&cName=Power+Tools&keyword=band+saw

Sorry JamesV, but my suggestion is if you can't afford that, look for a used Delta 14". I've come across VERy good used ones on Craigs list for 150-200, but they never last more than a day. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from the benchtops.

[tommy6]

I dream of the day when I have the money and space for a 14" band saw, a drum sander, a full size table saw, a lathe, a huge drill press, and a full on dust collection system.
Meanwhile, I just cut through a block of cocobolo to add  bubinga and zebra wood accents using my lil 9" Ryobi bench top band saw. Touched it up with my bench top Rigid belt/ spindle sander and was ready for glue up in less than an hour.
I believe that a good blade for a 14" band saw costs about what I paid for the Ryobi.
 
Please dont misunderstand me, the grizz is a much better tool fo the job.

[fish n chicks]

Originally posted by tommy6:
I dream of the day when I have the money and space for a 14" band saw, a drum sander, a full size table saw, a lathe, a huge drill press, and a full on dust collection system.
Meanwhile, I just cut through a block of cocobolo to add  bubinga and zebra wood accents using my lil 9" Ryobi bench top band saw. Touched it up with my bench top Rigid belt/ spindle sander and was ready for glue up in less than an hour.
I believe that a good blade for a 14" band saw costs about what I paid for the Ryobi.
 
Please dont misunderstand me, the grizz is a much better tool fo the job.

That's a great point. Certain tools can certainly do the jobs, it's just that some tools are better suited for it.

[Jeremy]

Tuning on the cheap 9" benchtop saws is harder and more critical than for the bigger models.  The tires are narrow and don't allow for much slop in tuning before a blade jumps off.  Getting the blade to track correctly and getting the back wheel guide set correctly are key, as is blade tension.

I've resawed dry 2" osage with my cheap hand-me-down 3-wheel benchtop model, so even a poorly powered and constructed saw is capable of doing a demanding cutting task.  
When I switched to a narrower blade I spent a good hour getting it tuned so the blade wouldn't jump off the front if I let up on the pressure or tried backing the blade off the cut.  MUCH harder to tune than the larger models, but duable with patience and persistence.  And hey, the saw only ran me $50 delivered.

[bigcountry]

Originally posted by Pat B:
If you are using it for bow building I would suggest a 14" with at least 1 hp motor.  Check out Grizzly!

List to Pat.  I have a 12" craftman with 3/4HP, and it ain't cuttin the mustard with hickory.  Hickor staves just have a hard time with this saw.  I can do osage for some reaosn.

[Roy from Pa]

I find it hard to believe you guys use power tools to make a Stickbow! That's cheating in my book. I cut my bows out with a real saw. A Bowsaw:)

 

[scrub-buster]

I just upgraded to a craigslist special 12" craftsman with a 1 1/8 hp motor.  Paid $130 for it.  I had been using a Delta 9" desktop model for cutting out osage staves.  It did the job, but I had to go slow.  

IT IS ALL IN THE TUNING.  Even a great bandsaw won't cut good if it is out of tune.

[kodiakkid]

Roy from Pa
Trad Bowhunter
Member # 10602

  posted 15-06-2010 09:53 PM                        
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I find it hard to believe you guys use power tools to make a Stickbow! That's cheating in my book. I cut my bows out with a real saw. A Bowsaw:)
 

It ain't cheating to you use power tools. The indians would have used em if they would have had em.  :D

[Roy from Pa]

LOL, my shop is loaded with a bandsaw, jointer, drum sander, belt sander, etc:) I have a 14 inch 1 1/2 hp sears bandsaw that works great.