Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20" throat
? what make ? HP motor ?
tia
Junkyard Engineer wrote:
> Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
> some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
> bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
> For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20" throat
> ? what make ? HP motor ?
>
> tia
>
>
I would recommend the "Ultimate Bandsaw" sold by Grizzly. It is a 14"
bandsaw with roller guides, decent fence system and with a riser kit you
can resaw wide wood. And the price is right for the "weekend" wood
warrier....
Philski
If you have the budget, I would consider the 17" Griz but a 14" saw does a
nice job for about everything provided you spring for a riser kit. I agree
with everyone else here as to brand. Jet, Griz & Delta would all be good
choices, but I like the Deltas for ease of bottom guide adjustment. Not a
requirement, but nice.
Don
"Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:23:34 -0500, "Junkyard Engineer"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to
>>build
>>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
>>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>>
>>For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20"
>>throat
>>? what make ? HP motor ?
>>
>>tia
>>
>
> Fourteen inch, 1 HP, is very common. I have the Delta 14" and it does
> the job. A work lamp and mobile base is nice.
Calculate your maximum price. Add half as much again. Then when you buy
the saw get at least a dozen extra blades, 1/8" to 1/2". Make sure your saw
has quick change feature and easy to adjust thumbscrew guides. 'cool
blocks' make for smoother running. finally get the 'bandsaw book'. It's
worth the money. I traded my table saw for a second bandsaw and never
regretted it, so you know I'm a fan of these tools.
JMHO.
twh
"Junkyard Engineer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to
build
> some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
> bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
> For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20"
throat
> ? what make ? HP motor ?
>
> tia
>
>
>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
I now consider a band saw way more important than a tablesaw. If you do
"generic" work, does that mean resawing, curved cutting, ripping (and if you
can, ripping on the bandsaw is far safer than a tablesaw). I now tell people to
spend more on the bandsaw than anythig (except get the biggest jointer you
can).
Instead of just saying get this, or get that, first get the Iturra Design
catalog, and see what Louis has to say about the 14" Deltas and clones. Then
start thinking heavier than that.
I have the MiniMax MM16, and think it's great. The Wilke Bridgewood heavy duty
all steel 16" saw has some good writeups, I prefer MiniMax to Laguna, but the
Lguna is a great saw also.
MiniMax makes a pretty good 14" saw also.
The things to really consider with a bandsaw is first, how much tension can you
apply? Because then you have a lot of "maneuverability" regarding blade
selection. Timberwolf has a selection of low tension blades (available from
Suffolk Machinery), but I have never thought them worth it. The Woodslicer from
Highland does a better job.
Go to bimetal, you need more tension, to carbide, Lenox recommends 25,000 psi,
which you will get from the MiniMax. And carbide is the way to go. The blade
runs around $200, but will last you for years. It can take the tension if you
don't keep it tensioned. And it will cut far better.
If you resaw, then you really should look at somethng like the MiniMax. If your
resawing needs are lighter, than a really good 14" Delta (the good one) is a
better choice.
I've used the Jet 16" bandsaw, with the steel arm, and an old used Delta was
next to it, and the Delta cut better. That can be your best choice: get a 20 or
30 year old used Delta, and spiff it up.
"Junkyard Engineer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to
build
> some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
> bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
> For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20"
throat
> ? what make ? HP motor ?
The traditional 14" with 3/4 or a full HP would be fine. I use the Delta,
and like the close lower guides. The other 14's are more or less similar.
Can't recommend Grizzly based on my experience, but the better types
marketed by JET/PM, General International and so forth should do.
Two suggestions -
1) Enclosed base is overpriced. Build your own cabinet with casters, and
you'll have your mobile base with some storage beneath.
2) Rip fences are more trouble than they're worth. Use ad-hoc specialty
types or just clamp a board to simulate the one that would mount on those
rails and hang out to grab you every time you walked by.
Do I like I did; trade Wife Version 1.0, for improved Version 2.0.
Problem solved. Current SWMBO not only ENCOURAGES me to buy tools, she
wants me to get good ones, PLUS she buys 'em for me for Christmas and
birthdays...
David
Junkyard Engineer wrote:
> Thanks to everybody ! Well, my bank account is called : Wife... so as usual,
> since she don't consider tools useful, the least expensive is the best one
> for her. But not for me so I will have to negotiate that aspect with your
> recommendations.
>
Thanks to everybody ! Well, my bank account is called : Wife... so as usual,
since she don't consider tools useful, the least expensive is the best one
for her. But not for me so I will have to negotiate that aspect with your
recommendations.
"D. J. Dorn" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de news:
[email protected]...
> If you have the budget, I would consider the 17" Griz but a 14" saw does a
> nice job for about everything provided you spring for a riser kit. I
> agree with everyone else here as to brand. Jet, Griz & Delta would all be
> good choices, but I like the Deltas for ease of bottom guide adjustment.
> Not a requirement, but nice.
>
> Don
>
> "Phisherman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:23:34 -0500, "Junkyard Engineer"
>> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to
>>>build
>>>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand
>>>&
>>>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>>>
>>>For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20"
>>>throat
>>>? what make ? HP motor ?
>>>
>>>tia
>>>
>>
>> Fourteen inch, 1 HP, is very common. I have the Delta 14" and it does
>> the job. A work lamp and mobile base is nice.
>
>
men you're killing me... I did switch version 1.0 to version 2.0 but
somehow, I got more of the same for some part of it...
"David" <[email protected]> a écrit dans le message de news:
[email protected]...
> Do I like I did; trade Wife Version 1.0, for improved Version 2.0. Problem
> solved. Current SWMBO not only ENCOURAGES me to buy tools, she wants me
> to get good ones, PLUS she buys 'em for me for Christmas and birthdays...
>
> David
>
> Junkyard Engineer wrote:
>
>> Thanks to everybody ! Well, my bank account is called : Wife... so as
>> usual, since she don't consider tools useful, the least expensive is the
>> best one for her. But not for me so I will have to negotiate that aspect
>> with your recommendations.
>>
On 01 Feb 2005 16:03:23 GMT, [email protected] (DarylRos) wrote:
>>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
>>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
>>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
>I now consider a band saw way more important than a tablesaw. If you do
>"generic" work, does that mean resawing, curved cutting, ripping (and if you
>can, ripping on the bandsaw is far safer than a tablesaw). I now tell people to
>spend more on the bandsaw than anythig (except get the biggest jointer you
>can).
==============>
To each his own...I'm just glad I was not around to listen to your
advice... After 40 "active" years in this hobby and for the projects
that come out of my shop I disagree completely... like I said to each
his own..and this is not an attack on you
==============>.
>Instead of just saying get this, or get that, first get the Iturra Design
>catalog, and see what Louis has to say about the 14" Deltas and clones. Then
>start thinking heavier than that.
>
>I have the MiniMax MM16, and think it's great. The Wilke Bridgewood heavy duty
>all steel 16" saw has some good writeups, I prefer MiniMax to Laguna, but the
>Lguna is a great saw also.
>
>MiniMax makes a pretty good 14" saw also.
>
>The things to really consider with a bandsaw is first, how much tension can you
>apply? Because then you have a lot of "maneuverability" regarding blade
>selection. Timberwolf has a selection of low tension blades (available from
>Suffolk Machinery), but I have never thought them worth it. The Woodslicer from
>Highland does a better job.
>
>Go to bimetal, you need more tension, to carbide, Lenox recommends 25,000 psi,
>which you will get from the MiniMax. And carbide is the way to go. The blade
>runs around $200, but will last you for years. It can take the tension if you
>don't keep it tensioned. And it will cut far better.
>
>If you resaw, then you really should look at somethng like the MiniMax. If your
>resawing needs are lighter, than a really good 14" Delta (the good one) is a
>better choice.
>
>I've used the Jet 16" bandsaw, with the steel arm, and an old used Delta was
>next to it, and the Delta cut better. That can be your best choice: get a 20 or
>30 year old used Delta, and spiff it up.
=============>
I just "listened" to that you said above and to be honest it makes
sense... Guess I will have to listen with at least one ear ...
Bob Griffiths
On 01 Feb 2005 16:03:23 GMT, [email protected] (DarylRos) wrote:
>
>MiniMax makes a pretty good 14" saw also.
MiniMax no longer sells it. The 14" "industrial" band saw that
Grizzly is now marketing/selling is supposedly the same base
saw.
In article <[email protected]>,
"Junkyard Engineer" <[email protected]> wrote:
> I've checked out the 14" Rigid, Powermatic, Delta BS but what do you think
> of those 2 ?
>
> http://www.general.ca/product/inter/90150an.html
> http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=16335
I have that General Intnl saw and I like it. It was on sale last month
and may still be available on sale. I was at my dealer today (Barbo
Machinery, Portland, OR) and the sale flyers were still out. I was
surprised at how well it went together - really good fit and finish
(damn near perfect). Rack and pinion upper guide adjustment, tension
quick release, 8" resaw capacity. nice fence, wheels arrived perfectly
in line, blade tracks right down the center, fan assisted dust
collection (I'm not sure this is much of a feature if you already have
good dust collection - I'm getting rid of the fan), blade guides are
steel - Euro round uppers, 1/2" square lowers.
The only negatives: table trunions sturdy but only one side of table,
stand seemed a bit wimpy so I bolted it to 3/4 ply and that to a rolling
base, no wheel brush, blade keeps running after shutting off motor (my
dust collector spins the saw's little fan which turns the blade), the
manual is really bad but assembly was no problem using the exploded
views.
At list price the General is around the same price as the Powermatic,
which would make the Powermatic a better bet. I don't remember if I paid
550 or 650, but I'm surprised at how much I like the saw.
PDX David
"Junkyard Engineer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
>
> I've checked out the 14" Rigid, Powermatic, Delta BS but what do you think
> of those 2 ?
>
> http://www.general.ca/product/inter/90150an.html
> http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=16335
Someone double check me on this - but I believe that the "steel frame"
style, which the Canwood appears to be, cannot be augmented with a riser
block. The resaw capacity is set.
I bought the Jet 14". 14" is a very common size for the home/hobbiest
community.
My resaw capacity, as is, is about 6". I can buy a 6" "riser block" which
will about double that - if/when I feel the need.
Other than that - the Canwood brand is unknown to me, but appears to be very
similar to the "Rikon 14" bandsaw" that gets good reviews.
"Junkyard Engineer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to
> build some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power
> hand & bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
> For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20"
> throat ? what make ? HP motor ?
>
> tia
I'd have to know your bank account balances and credit card limits first to
make a proper recommendation. The 21" Laguna is a nice one though.
Most popular is the 14" as it is a nice size for most of what we need. With
a riser kit it can re-saw up to 12". When I bought my 14" Jet a few year
ago, it was a good value for the price. Delta, Grizzly have good saws also.
I've not kept up with the latest models though. You want 3/4HP on it also.
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:23:34 -0500, "Junkyard Engineer"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
>For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20" throat
>? what make ? HP motor ?
>
>tia
>
depends on your projects and your budget. start out by looking at
specifications on the delta 14" and adjust from there.
On Mon, 10 Jan 2005 19:23:34 -0500, "Junkyard Engineer"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Let's say I'm a "week-end hobbyist woodworker". I began a year ago to build
>some of our furnitures, really simple so far. I have several power hand &
>bench tools but one thing is missing : a decent band saw.
>
>For general purpose woodworking, what do you recommand ? 12, 14, 20" throat
>? what make ? HP motor ?
>
>tia
>
Fourteen inch, 1 HP, is very common. I have the Delta 14" and it does
the job. A work lamp and mobile base is nice.