I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
I bought used.
I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts for
my R/C's).
I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of aluminum
on the smaller wood band saws.
The saws I've considered are:
------------------------------------------------
Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
I wouldn't even consider this saw if it weren't for the $87 price tag.
I'm sure it runs like crap and won't last forever, but I plan on using
it for such a limited amount of stuff, it's tempting.
-------------------------------------------------
Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while. Doesn't
come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and is
slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load speed:
2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum cutting.
-------------------------------------------------
Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
I can't even find this saw on Hitachi's site, and only Lowe's seems to
carry it. It's either brand-new or manufactured solely for Lowes. I
know the large-scale Hitachi machines are supposed to be good, but this
seems to be their first smaller saw. I can't find any reviews anywhere.
It looks well-made, and the specs list the speed as: "RPM: 1,410". It
also says "Dual speed capability". This sounds more hospitable to my
occasional aluminum cutting.
--------------------------------------------------
Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend and
really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get something
halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
In the past, I've been more apt to buy good tools (porter-cable,
dewalt, bosch) than crummy ones (black & decker, skil, etc.), but I
fear I'll be using this very little. Can anyone make a recommendation?
-Rich
On 7 Dec 2004 11:30:55 -0800, "NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
>I bought used.
>
>
<snip>
I can't give you any comparisons between the three you mentioned, but I recently
replaced a 12" Jet with a larger saw. I was well pleased with the Jet with one
exception. It just didn't hack it for any significant resawing and that's really
the only reason I got a 16" Jet and passed the 12" on to my son. Who,
incidentally, is also well pleased with it.
My feelings are that the Jet would be satisfactory for you in the wood cutting
application if you toss the stock blade and replace it with a good, premium
blade like a WoodSlicer or Timberwolf, and don't expect it to do any heavy
resawing.
I never did any aluminum sawing on mine so I can't give you any advice on the
performance of the saw in that application. I can't help but believe that it
would do the job if you use the proper blade and don't hurry the cut. What's the
proper blade? Your guess is as good as mine.
Tom Veatch
Wichita, KS USA
"NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
> I bought used.
Some like the Harbor Freight 14" bandsaw. It goes on sale often for about
$220, free frieght on orders over $50, but I think they will tack on a small
handling charge, I think $5 or so.
I believe it is this one,
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32206
Greg
As a Caunukistani born and raised the first time I ever heard of "aluminium"
was from my first year chemistry prof at university (college for you yanks
;) ).
We generally stick with Yank terms here north of the 49th.
"Norman D. Crow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
>
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>
> <snip>
>
>
> > >As aluminum conducts heat six times faster than steel, why doesn't it
> cool
> > >it?
> > >
> > >Aluminum oxide, which covers the surface of aluminum, is a great
abrasive
> > >used on sandpaper.
> > >
> > >Think the second might be the greater influence, and the "coolant"
acting
> as
> > >a lube?
> > >
> >
> >
> > compared to steel, aluminum is *gummy*. the chips want to stick in the
> > gullets....
>
> After all the other comments . . a close friend showed me an article many
> years ago about WWII engineers discovering that you could really cut
> aluminum(aluminium for the Canuckistanis and those across the pond) quite
> well with a DULL blade running at high speed. No proof, just throwing it
out
> FWIW.
>
> --
> Nahmie
> Those on the cutting edge bleed a lot.
>
>
I'm not sure what your set up is on that craftsman, but have you
thought of replacing the belt with a link belt? I'm not even sure if
you can, but I've actually read decent things about the three wheel
band saws. Just a thought
Don
NetMagi wrote:
> I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel
craftsman
> I bought used.
>
>
> I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
> minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
> impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
> belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
>
>
> I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
> basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts
for
> my R/C's).
>
>
> I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of aluminum
> on the smaller wood band saws.
>
>
> The saws I've considered are:
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
>
>
> I wouldn't even consider this saw if it weren't for the $87 price
tag.
> I'm sure it runs like crap and won't last forever, but I plan on
using
> it for such a limited amount of stuff, it's tempting.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------
> Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
>
>
> Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while. Doesn't
> come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and is
> slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load
speed:
> 2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------
> Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
>
>
> I can't even find this saw on Hitachi's site, and only Lowe's seems
to
> carry it. It's either brand-new or manufactured solely for Lowes. I
> know the large-scale Hitachi machines are supposed to be good, but
this
> seems to be their first smaller saw. I can't find any reviews
anywhere.
> It looks well-made, and the specs list the speed as: "RPM: 1,410". It
> also says "Dual speed capability". This sounds more hospitable to my
> occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend and
> really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
>
>
> When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get
something
> halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
>
> In the past, I've been more apt to buy good tools (porter-cable,
> dewalt, bosch) than crummy ones (black & decker, skil, etc.), but I
> fear I'll be using this very little. Can anyone make a
recommendation?
> -Rich
NetMagi wrote:
> I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel
craftsman
> I bought used.
<snip>
> When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get
something
> halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
You should consider Grizzly. I have the G1019, and love it to death. I
have no experience with their smaller saws, but they have two that are
in that $200 kind of money:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/items-list.cfm?key=420010&sort=price
-Mike
it's a wide flat belt with teeth on one side. . I think a link belt
only replaces v-belts right?
-Rich
srwood wrote:
> I'm not sure what your set up is on that craftsman, but have you
> thought of replacing the belt with a link belt? I'm not even sure if
> you can, but I've actually read decent things about the three wheel
> band saws. Just a thought
>
> Don
> NetMagi wrote:
> > I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel
> craftsman
> > I bought used.
> >
> >
> > I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
> > minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
> > impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at
the
> > belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
> >
> >
> > I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
> > basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts
> for
> > my R/C's).
> >
> >
> > I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of
aluminum
> > on the smaller wood band saws.
> >
> >
> > The saws I've considered are:
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------
> > Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
> >
> >
> > I wouldn't even consider this saw if it weren't for the $87 price
> tag.
> > I'm sure it runs like crap and won't last forever, but I plan on
> using
> > it for such a limited amount of stuff, it's tempting.
> >
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------
> > Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
> >
> >
> > Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while.
Doesn't
> > come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and
is
> > slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load
> speed:
> > 2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum
cutting.
> >
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------
> > Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
> >
> >
> > I can't even find this saw on Hitachi's site, and only Lowe's seems
> to
> > carry it. It's either brand-new or manufactured solely for Lowes. I
> > know the large-scale Hitachi machines are supposed to be good, but
> this
> > seems to be their first smaller saw. I can't find any reviews
> anywhere.
> > It looks well-made, and the specs list the speed as: "RPM: 1,410".
It
> > also says "Dual speed capability". This sounds more hospitable to
my
> > occasional aluminum cutting.
> >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend
and
> > really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
> >
> >
> > When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get
> something
> > halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the
case.
> >
> > In the past, I've been more apt to buy good tools (porter-cable,
> > dewalt, bosch) than crummy ones (black & decker, skil, etc.), but I
> > fear I'll be using this very little. Can anyone make a
> recommendation?
> > -Rich
Tue, Dec 7, 2004, 11:30am (EST-3) [email protected] (NetMagi) says:
I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman I
bought used.
I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it. <snip>
I bought one of those used too. On mine the plastic drive wheel
was worn down. Got another from Sears, no prob. I got rid of mine when
I upgraded, and regretted it since. It was actually quite handy. If
nothing else, I wish I'd kept it, and put a metal cutting blade on it.
I'm not actively looking for one, but would be more than happy to
get my hands on another if I can.
JOAT
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind dont
matter, and those who matter dont mind.
- Dr Seuss
NetMagi wrote:
> it's a wide belt with teeth on one side. labeled 120xl. . .
> connects the motor to a smaller pulley on the lower right pulley
Those things suck. They're in everything, they don't last very long, and
once one goes, it's a serious ordeal to come up with a replacement. Been
there, done that. I *didn't* replace it. I wound up using green link belt
and a metric ton of tension to force it all to work. It does, barely, but
it's really not a good solution at all.
The little bitty Delta looks like a piece of crap. I'd take one for free,
but I don't think I'd buy one.
As you noticed, everything else is a huge step up the price ladder.
I guess I'll end up getting a 14" bandsaw of some flavor because I have been
burned too many times by the temptation to cut corners and buy something
cheap. I've bought two of (or desperately need to replace) almost
everything in my shop, except where I went ahead and sucked it up and did
the hard thing scrimping and saving to get the real deal to start with. It
has been an expensive life lesson.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
Prometheus wrote:
> A 6 or 12 TPI blade should do it. As an aside, aluminum really,
> really likes to have coolant when you cut it on a bandsaw. You can
> get away with cutting mild or tool steel without coolant, but aluminum
> can destroy a blade really quickly if it gets too hot. Seems like
> it'd be the other way around, but somehow that's not the case. Of
> course if it's real thin it shouldn't matter too much.
The other potential problem is speed. I've only barely looked at wood
bandsaws, but they all seem to go REALLY fast. I really have no idea what
the speeds are on my metal (horizontal) bandsaw, but they're slow, really
slow, and crawl. I leave it set to crawl 100% of the time, with a 20-some
TPI blade on it. I've cut through railroad track with this thing without
coolant. (Although it did take about two days, and I couldn't get the two
cuts to meet in the middle, and I couldn't break that last 1/2" of steel
with any amount of beating the shit out of it with a sledge hammer, so I
ended up having to suck it up and finish it with a hacksaw. Wow, that was
unpleasant.)
The OP says he wants to cut wood though, and these things are utterly
useless for cutting wood. The tables aren't much good either. They're
really only good for crosscutting angle iron and stuff, which they do
exceedingly well. They can't cut big sheets and whatnot at all, though I
have used mine to fabricate the odd, fairly small curvy part out of
aluminum or steel with good effect.
It's a useful machine when you need one, but my least used. When I got the
new TS I had to relegate my metal bandsaw to life in the den, which SWMBO
just loves, let me tell ya.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
NetMagi wrote:
> it's a wide flat belt with teeth on one side. . I think a link belt
> only replaces v-belts right?
Right. In case you missed my other post about the subject, it *can* be
done, but it's miles away from satisfactory.
--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan <[email protected]>
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/
http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/
"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:52:11 GMT, Tom Veatch <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >I never did any aluminum sawing on mine so I can't give you any advice on
the
> >performance of the saw in that application. I can't help but believe that
it
> >would do the job if you use the proper blade and don't hurry the cut.
What's the
> >proper blade? Your guess is as good as mine.
>
> A 6 or 12 TPI blade should do it. As an aside, aluminum really,
> really likes to have coolant when you cut it on a bandsaw. You can
> get away with cutting mild or tool steel without coolant, but aluminum
> can destroy a blade really quickly if it gets too hot. Seems like
> it'd be the other way around, but somehow that's not the case. Of
> course if it's real thin it shouldn't matter too much.
>
As aluminum conducts heat six times faster than steel, why doesn't it cool
it?
Aluminum oxide, which covers the surface of aluminum, is a great abrasive
used on sandpaper.
Think the second might be the greater influence, and the "coolant" acting as
a lube?
"NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> ------------------------------------------------
> Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
>
Good for your 10 year old to play on.
> -------------------------------------------------
> Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
> >
> -------------------------------------------------
> Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
> Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend and
> really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
I've not seen the Hitachi The jet is a good saw for the money. If you buy
the Delta for $87, that just means the Jet becomes $362 and the Hitachi is
$386 when you buy one of them in a couple of months.
On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:52:11 GMT, Tom Veatch <[email protected]>
wrote:
>On 7 Dec 2004 11:30:55 -0800, "NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
>>I bought used.
>>
>>
><snip>
>
>I can't give you any comparisons between the three you mentioned, but I recently
>replaced a 12" Jet with a larger saw. I was well pleased with the Jet with one
>exception. It just didn't hack it for any significant resawing and that's really
>the only reason I got a 16" Jet and passed the 12" on to my son. Who,
>incidentally, is also well pleased with it.
>
>My feelings are that the Jet would be satisfactory for you in the wood cutting
>application if you toss the stock blade and replace it with a good, premium
>blade like a WoodSlicer or Timberwolf, and don't expect it to do any heavy
>resawing.
>
>I never did any aluminum sawing on mine so I can't give you any advice on the
>performance of the saw in that application. I can't help but believe that it
>would do the job if you use the proper blade and don't hurry the cut. What's the
>proper blade? Your guess is as good as mine.
A 6 or 12 TPI blade should do it. As an aside, aluminum really,
really likes to have coolant when you cut it on a bandsaw. You can
get away with cutting mild or tool steel without coolant, but aluminum
can destroy a blade really quickly if it gets too hot. Seems like
it'd be the other way around, but somehow that's not the case. Of
course if it's real thin it shouldn't matter too much.
>Tom Veatch
>Wichita, KS USA
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
On Wed, 8 Dec 2004 07:57:27 -0500, "George" <george@least> wrote:
>
>"Prometheus" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> On Wed, 08 Dec 2004 00:52:11 GMT, Tom Veatch <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>> >I never did any aluminum sawing on mine so I can't give you any advice on
>the
>> >performance of the saw in that application. I can't help but believe that
>it
>> >would do the job if you use the proper blade and don't hurry the cut.
>What's the
>> >proper blade? Your guess is as good as mine.
>>
>> A 6 or 12 TPI blade should do it. As an aside, aluminum really,
>> really likes to have coolant when you cut it on a bandsaw. You can
>> get away with cutting mild or tool steel without coolant, but aluminum
>> can destroy a blade really quickly if it gets too hot. Seems like
>> it'd be the other way around, but somehow that's not the case. Of
>> course if it's real thin it shouldn't matter too much.
>>
>
>As aluminum conducts heat six times faster than steel, why doesn't it cool
>it?
>
>Aluminum oxide, which covers the surface of aluminum, is a great abrasive
>used on sandpaper.
>
>Think the second might be the greater influence, and the "coolant" acting as
>a lube?
>
compared to steel, aluminum is *gummy*. the chips want to stick in the
gullets....
The 14" Rockwell I fell heir to had a miter gauge but when I tried to
use it the lead angle for the blade in use wasn't compatible. Hangs
on a screw gathering sawdust.
On 7 Dec 2004 11:30:55 -0800, "NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>-------------------------------------------------
>Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
>
>
>Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while. Doesn't
>come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and is
>slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load speed:
>2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum cutting.
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
<snip>
> >As aluminum conducts heat six times faster than steel, why doesn't it
cool
> >it?
> >
> >Aluminum oxide, which covers the surface of aluminum, is a great abrasive
> >used on sandpaper.
> >
> >Think the second might be the greater influence, and the "coolant" acting
as
> >a lube?
> >
>
>
> compared to steel, aluminum is *gummy*. the chips want to stick in the
> gullets....
After all the other comments . . a close friend showed me an article many
years ago about WWII engineers discovering that you could really cut
aluminum(aluminium for the Canuckistanis and those across the pond) quite
well with a DULL blade running at high speed. No proof, just throwing it out
FWIW.
--
Nahmie
Those on the cutting edge bleed a lot.
"Doug Brown" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> As a Caunukistani born and raised the first time I ever heard of
"aluminium"
> was from my first year chemistry prof at university (college for you yanks
> ;) ).
>
> We generally stick with Yank terms here north of the 49th.
I know. We just have so much fun picking on each other!
--
Nahmie
Those on the cutting edge bleed a lot.
On 7 Dec 2004 11:30:55 -0800, "NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
>I bought used.
>
>
>I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
>minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
>impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
>belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
>
>
>I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
>basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts for
>my R/C's).
>
>
>I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of aluminum
>on the smaller wood band saws.
>
>
>The saws I've considered are:
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------
>Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
>
>
>I wouldn't even consider this saw if it weren't for the $87 price tag.
>I'm sure it runs like crap and won't last forever, but I plan on using
>it for such a limited amount of stuff, it's tempting.
>
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------
>Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
>
>
>Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while. Doesn't
>come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and is
>slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load speed:
>2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------
>Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
>
>
>I can't even find this saw on Hitachi's site, and only Lowe's seems to
>carry it. It's either brand-new or manufactured solely for Lowes. I
>know the large-scale Hitachi machines are supposed to be good, but this
>seems to be their first smaller saw. I can't find any reviews anywhere.
>It looks well-made, and the specs list the speed as: "RPM: 1,410". It
>also says "Dual speed capability". This sounds more hospitable to my
>occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------
>Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend and
>really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
>
>
>When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get something
>halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
>
>In the past, I've been more apt to buy good tools (porter-cable,
>dewalt, bosch) than crummy ones (black & decker, skil, etc.), but I
>fear I'll be using this very little. Can anyone make a recommendation?
>-Rich
This is a real apples to oranges comparison. I have the Delta 9" and
for what it is, it's okay. It's tougher to get it to track accurately
and it has a tendency to bow on thick wood.
If you're cutting wood 1" or less it will work all right. That's
mostly what I use it for. Aluminium, I dunno. I think it would depend
on finding the right blade.
The other saws you list are much more substantial. I wish I had one of
them.
--RC
Projects expand to fill the clamps available -- plus 20 percent
On 7 Dec 2004 11:30:55 -0800, "NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
>I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
>I bought used.
>
>
>I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
>minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
>impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
>belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
>
>
>I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
>basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts for
>my R/C's).
>
>
>I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of aluminum
>on the smaller wood band saws.
>
>
>The saws I've considered are:
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------
>Delta 9" Shopmaster BS100 - $87
>
>
>I wouldn't even consider this saw if it weren't for the $87 price tag.
>I'm sure it runs like crap and won't last forever, but I plan on using
>it for such a limited amount of stuff, it's tempting.
This is the one I've got- sucked in by the price tag as well, but I
wouldn't buy it again. It's seriously underpowered and mostly
plastic. It does work for small stuff, though- and I haven't had any
problems with it yet, it just seems like I will eventually every time
I use it.
For about the same price, they've got one at Sears that has a metal
case at least. I don't know if it's any better, but the fit and
finish seem a lot nicer. Also, bear in mind that most places do not
stock metal-cutting blades that small- I had to special order mine.
They didn't cost much, but it was a bit of a wait.
>-------------------------------------------------
>Jet 12" Open Stand JWBS-12OS - $275
>
>
>Has great reviews and seems to have been around for a while. Doesn't
>come with a mitre gauge, but the table seems well contstructed and is
>slotted for it. One concern is the speed. Specs state: "No-load speed:
>2,750 rpm" That seems too fast for that occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------
>Hitachi 12" CB13F - $299
>
>
>I can't even find this saw on Hitachi's site, and only Lowe's seems to
>carry it. It's either brand-new or manufactured solely for Lowes. I
>know the large-scale Hitachi machines are supposed to be good, but this
>seems to be their first smaller saw. I can't find any reviews anywhere.
>It looks well-made, and the specs list the speed as: "RPM: 1,410". It
>also says "Dual speed capability". This sounds more hospitable to my
>occasional aluminum cutting.
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------
>Both the Hitachi and the Jet are far more than I wanted to spend and
>really can 'afford' to spend, but you know how that is.
>
>When I saw the el-cheapo Delta for $87, I figured I could get something
>halfway-decent for around $200, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
>
>In the past, I've been more apt to buy good tools (porter-cable,
>dewalt, bosch) than crummy ones (black & decker, skil, etc.), but I
>fear I'll be using this very little. Can anyone make a recommendation?
>-Rich
Get the better saw- you'll probably get it and discover some uses for
it you didn't anticipate.
Aut inveniam viam aut faciam
In article <[email protected]>,
"NetMagi" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I'm shopping for a band saw to replace an old little 3-wheel craftsman
> I bought used.
>
>
> I was TOTALLY dissatisfied with the craftsman. It lasted about 10
> minutes before the synchronous belt broke and a replacement is near
> impossible to find. In it's defense, it was -old- and looking at the
> belt, I think it was partly torn when I bought it.
>
>
> I'll be cutting different sizes/types of wood and on an occasional
> basis, thin aluminum stock up to .125 for hobby stuff (custom parts for
> my R/C's).
>
>
> I've heard people have had success with cutting this type of aluminum
> on the smaller wood band saws.
>
Rich, I've got an old Craftsman 3-Wheel bandsaw that when adjusted seems
to perform adequately, but it has no fence so I have to improvise. It
was made by King-Seeley.
But, what do you mean by a "synchronous belt?" On mine there is one
belt, from the motor to the pulley on the saw, otherwise the blade runs
over the three wheels.
--
Yours,
Tom