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Thoughts on a Bandsaw
- Thread starter jimbob91577
- Start date
Band saws
shop fox is a good saw but if you can go big the 14 in just don't have the guts. I use the Grizzly GO513X plows thrue eny thing you can throw at it
shop fox is a good saw but if you can go big the 14 in just don't have the guts. I use the Grizzly GO513X plows thrue eny thing you can throw at it
Don't know your budget but when faced with upgrading from 12" bandsaw I went to the Grizzly 17" (G0513X) especially cause I wanted ability to cut larger bowl blanks.
I've been very happy with this 220v 2.0 hp machine. Bought it when it first came out 2 years ago.
Jim
I've been very happy with this 220v 2.0 hp machine. Bought it when it first came out 2 years ago.
Jim
I would worry about the 1HP motor... The Grizzly G0555X (you know they are basically the same firm, right?) offers an additional 1/2 HP
Personally I bought the G0457, which has the same motor as the 17 inch the others have referred to. The downside of my choice is the blades are full custom only.
Personally I bought the G0457, which has the same motor as the 17 inch the others have referred to. The downside of my choice is the blades are full custom only.
1. Get the most hp you can with your budget
2. Something most folks don't think about - get the saw with the largest table. This seriously helps when cutting bigger chunks of wood.
2. Something most folks don't think about - get the saw with the largest table. This seriously helps when cutting bigger chunks of wood.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I have a 14" Delta with a riser block and 3/4 hp motor. I don't have any trouble cutting though green lumber as thick as the saw will cut. This saw looks just like your Shop Fox. My saw does struggle a little on 10" dry wood resawing but it's so much better than my old 14" Taiwan job it's not funny. It also had 3/4hp motor. There must be a difference in the motors because I am totally happy with my Delta.
Thanks for the input - the same store has the 14" delta only for $175 more than the Shop Fox and without the cast iron base.
Budget wise, I've only got about $500 to put into it. I too was looking at the Grizzley, even the Rikon, but unfortunately price is of a concern at the moment.
I am planning on getting the riser block kit at some point in the next few months, but for what I'm going to do with it between now and then - the 6" gap should be sufficient.
Budget wise, I've only got about $500 to put into it. I too was looking at the Grizzley, even the Rikon, but unfortunately price is of a concern at the moment.
I am planning on getting the riser block kit at some point in the next few months, but for what I'm going to do with it between now and then - the 6" gap should be sufficient.
quick question....
Is this for milling, for finish work, or both?
If for milling, bigger and stronger is a good thing and fine quality doesn't matter so much.
If for finish work or both, the ShopFox or Grizzly will be somewhat limited and money should be saved for a higher grade saw such as the Rikon.
I've got a Chinese special with a 6 inch riser and bigger motor. I also have a plywood slide on table expansion that gives me a 2' square surface to work with. Milling only, of course. Couldn't cut a straight line in butter.
Dietrich
Is this for milling, for finish work, or both?
If for milling, bigger and stronger is a good thing and fine quality doesn't matter so much.
If for finish work or both, the ShopFox or Grizzly will be somewhat limited and money should be saved for a higher grade saw such as the Rikon.
I've got a Chinese special with a 6 inch riser and bigger motor. I also have a plywood slide on table expansion that gives me a 2' square surface to work with. Milling only, of course. Couldn't cut a straight line in butter.
Dietrich
I would get the riser block kit and put it all together at once.
I put my Delta together with the riser and it made it easier for me to assemble the entire unit myself. Lifting the complete bandsaw onto the stand without help will put a big hurt on you.
The riser kit has you separate the two halves , its much closer to a one man job.
Mark.
John Van Domelen
Retired Forum Admin
Been very happy with my Grizzly
I have the G0570 14" Industrial Bandsaw 1-1/2 HP , it has a little over 8 '' re-saw height, and a 13.5 throat. I have been very pleased with it.
Bought it on closeout, check Grizzly's website for for some good deals on discontinued products.
Upsides - will hog through just about anything I can cram under the guides.
- can use it for hogging out roughs to making veneer.
Downsides - claims to be able to take from a 1/8 inch to a one inch blade - a Timberwolf AS 3/4 inch re-saw blade taxes the stock tension spring. Non-standard size blade - 101 inches.
I have the G0570 14" Industrial Bandsaw 1-1/2 HP , it has a little over 8 '' re-saw height, and a 13.5 throat. I have been very pleased with it.
Bought it on closeout, check Grizzly's website for for some good deals on discontinued products.
Upsides - will hog through just about anything I can cram under the guides.
- can use it for hogging out roughs to making veneer.Downsides - claims to be able to take from a 1/8 inch to a one inch blade - a Timberwolf AS 3/4 inch re-saw blade taxes the stock tension spring. Non-standard size blade - 101 inches.
Bandsaws
Jimbob - There is a Grizzly factory store in your neck of the woods in Bellingham, WA. If their store there is like the Springfield, MO one, they have a section of the store with scratch and dent specials that you can pick up at reduced pricing. Also, I think Woodcraft currently has a special on Jet tools. The Jet 16" is a great saw, but may be higher than what you want to spend, but the 14" is also a good saw, probably a little better fit and finish than the Griz. Good Luck!
Jimbob - There is a Grizzly factory store in your neck of the woods in Bellingham, WA. If their store there is like the Springfield, MO one, they have a section of the store with scratch and dent specials that you can pick up at reduced pricing. Also, I think Woodcraft currently has a special on Jet tools. The Jet 16" is a great saw, but may be higher than what you want to spend, but the 14" is also a good saw, probably a little better fit and finish than the Griz. Good Luck!
I've got the Grizzly G0555 with riser. Since my turnings are boxes and hollow forms I cut rectangular blanks. However, in order to get the most of a log I want good even straight cuts. Cutting 10" logs are problematic. Lots of deflection and wander. To get good cuts I have to go slow enough to fall asleep.
I'm looking at the Grizzly 514X as an upgrade. Big jump in price but I'm going through the shop and selling anything that has a thick layer of dust on it.
Burt
I'm looking at the Grizzly 514X as an upgrade. Big jump in price but I'm going through the shop and selling anything that has a thick layer of dust on it.
Burt
Band saws
the grizzly x513 i get my 131.5 blades from sunbelt industrial compy custom tooth and width for about 12 buck each with free shiping
the grizzly x513 i get my 131.5 blades from sunbelt industrial compy custom tooth and width for about 12 buck each with free shiping
Bandsaws
Got my Jet 16" 3 years ago....could not be happier. Built a ripping table, so I can rip logs 12"x 48" plus... gawd!!! got me a sawmill!!! I run 1"x 3 or 4 tpi blade, am cutting dry and green hard and soft wood, and have given this machine a true stress test. The main thing is to use SHARP blades. My saw takes 123" blades, and I use that spray non-stick "PAM" on the pitchy or high resin woods....just spray a shot on both sides of running blade to make life a LOT easier.
Got my Jet 16" 3 years ago....could not be happier. Built a ripping table, so I can rip logs 12"x 48" plus... gawd!!! got me a sawmill!!! I run 1"x 3 or 4 tpi blade, am cutting dry and green hard and soft wood, and have given this machine a true stress test. The main thing is to use SHARP blades. My saw takes 123" blades, and I use that spray non-stick "PAM" on the pitchy or high resin woods....just spray a shot on both sides of running blade to make life a LOT easier.
513x or Rikon 14†deluxe feedback
So several comments on the 513x ( now the 513x2) I just want to know how much wander do you get in a cut. I’m worried about the guides systems. Rikon has good name and the 14 deluxe gives the same resaw height for a little less $ it is only 1.5 hp! It may have a better guide system? After fighting a 12 in craftsmen. I just want the blade to cut true and stay that way. Oh and cut more than 5.75 in height -
So several comments on the 513x ( now the 513x2) I just want to know how much wander do you get in a cut. I’m worried about the guides systems. Rikon has good name and the 14 deluxe gives the same resaw height for a little less $ it is only 1.5 hp! It may have a better guide system? After fighting a 12 in craftsmen. I just want the blade to cut true and stay that way. Oh and cut more than 5.75 in height -
Paul,
This is a good question. The guides on my G0555 are pure crap. They don't keep alignment for more then one cycle of the blade and the bearings either get stuck or fall out. Essentially, I don't use the guides at all. Just keep the blade fully extended to 12". If I go slow enough I can get a decent cut (I only cut logs).
I don't want to plunk down $150 for Carter's if I'm going to "upgrade."
I'd like to get an idea also on the durability and accuracy of the guides on the larger Grizzlys, especially, the 514X(x).
Burt
This is a good question. The guides on my G0555 are pure crap. They don't keep alignment for more then one cycle of the blade and the bearings either get stuck or fall out. Essentially, I don't use the guides at all. Just keep the blade fully extended to 12". If I go slow enough I can get a decent cut (I only cut logs).
I don't want to plunk down $150 for Carter's if I'm going to "upgrade."
I'd like to get an idea also on the durability and accuracy of the guides on the larger Grizzlys, especially, the 514X(x).
Burt