Bandsaw Recommendation - Space Saving...

[BassBow]

Folks,

It's been a while since I have been on the forum. Recently, I had the opportunity to finish a permanent workshop area in our house, and have a desire to start building bows. I have never had a space to do this sort of thing and am excited about the potential. I am sure my boys and I will have fun times ahead!

I don't have a ton of space and am wondering if you can recommend a band saw for board, fiberglass lam, and wood lam bow making? I know everyone likes the Grizzly 14". It looks like a great saw. However, I have a bit of a space constraint and am wondering if there are 9"-12" options for the table top(my tables are 36")that would suit my needs.

Thanks in advance. I hope you all are enjoying your new year thus far.

Mike

[Pat B]

I think if you plan to build bows you would be disappointed with anything less than a 14" with a 1hp motor. Get a roller stand for it so you can move it out of the way.

[Krasus]

I use a General 12" with a 1hp motor and it works great. I built a rolling cart with locking wheels and drawers (as the metal stand it came with sucked).  Takes a 67-1/2" blade. Wouldn't want bigger.  Unless your doing resawing....

[kennym]

Get the biggest and best you can, you won't ever regret it.

[scrub-buster]

I used a 12" craftsman for several years.  It did the job.  I upgraded to a 14" grizzly and love it.   I made a rolling base for mine.  When I'm not using it I cover it with a sheet and put it in the corner.  It doesn't take up much room.

[Roy from Pa]

Buy a good one and only cry once...

Not much difference in size between a 14" and a 10 or 12"...

[BassBow]

Look like the Grizzly 14" is in my future. Thanks, Gentlemen.

[macbow]

If you decide on the Grizzly 14" I reccomend getting the extension to the 105" blades right off. Will save on replacing blades later.

Asked here about the extension and it was unanamous to get it.
Glad I listened.

[mikkekeswick]

Yes always get the biggest saw you can. You won't regret it. A smaller saw that struggles with thick stuff is a real pain.

[Mad Max]

My 14" Griz. is not in the bow room.
It's on wheels too.

[LittleBen]

I own a 9" benchtop bandsaw and it's got about enough power for building model airplanes from balsa and basswood; or other light craft work.

Not going to cut it for bows. It's basically a paperweight in my shop. I've been trying to give it away for a while.

Get yourself a nice 14" saw with a 1 1/2 hp motor and a deep cut and you are good to go...  Just put some wheels on it and put it out of the way if you need space...  The band saw and your edge sander are your two main tools...  
   My second bandsaw is a craftsman 10" saw... About $160 new...  It is a solid saw...  I keep a 3/8" blade on it for doing all of my tight radius cuts...  Good little saw...  In the time it takes to change blades out 6-7 times on one saw you already made your money back on that little saw...

Originally posted by Roy from Pa:
Buy a good one and only cry once...
 

I like that...  Some wise words Roy...    

  I cried a little the other week when I bought that Ruger 9mm... Cried with a smile on my face...  Lol...

[wood carver 2]

I bought the biggest that would fit in my shop ( 19 inch Grizzly ) and I didn't shed a tear. Even with the exchange rate, duty and delivery from the U.S. it still cost a thousand less than a similar saw from a mile down the road.
When you buy a tool that you will be using for a hobby or project, you might tend to not think of the other uses that you will have once you own it. Buying the biggest and best you can afford and that will fit into your workspace will pay dividends later. When I have more room, I intend to build a log milling jig to saw my own lumber from smaller logs.
Dave.

[peanut39350]

Whatever you don't get a 9" bandsaw that's what I bought and i cry every time i try to cut out a riser you have to go really slow and it still boggs down