I am a casual woodworker, in the process of acquiring a new bandsaw to
be used mainly for resawing large flitches. The saws I have been
looking at are Grizzly brand, models G0513/G0513X (17") and G0475
(14"). For my purpose the main difference is the size of the wheels.
I have been offered the opinion that the larger wheels, which will
take a 1" blade (vs 3/4" for the smaller saw) has a very significant
advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
Any opinion on whether or not I should opt for the larger wheels would
be much appreciated. Comments on this particular brand, and on these
specific models also welcome.
Carlo G, BC, Canada
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am a casual woodworker, in the process of acquiring a new bandsaw to
> be used mainly for resawing large flitches. The saws I have been
> looking at are Grizzly brand, models G0513/G0513X (17") and G0475
> (14"). For my purpose the main difference is the size of the wheels.
> I have been offered the opinion that the larger wheels, which will
> take a 1" blade (vs 3/4" for the smaller saw) has a very significant
> advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
>
> Any opinion on whether or not I should opt for the larger wheels would
> be much appreciated. Comments on this particular brand, and on these
> specific models also welcome.
>
> Carlo G, BC, Canada
>
Not being foamier with either model I can only throw in that when resawing
wheel "mass" tends to become more important. All things being equal the
bigger wheel would have more mass. The wider blades will be more beneficial
if you are going to be cutting thin veneer as blade deflection becomes more
of a problem with the thinner blades. I have no problem resawing 8" with a
1/2" blade but when cutting veneers I go with either the 3/4 or 1" blade.
[email protected] wrote:
> My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
Even thought the 14" claims that it supports 3/4" blades, they are not
ideal. The smaller size of the wheels means that they will tend to
break sooner, the crown of the wheel means that they are not properly
supported, and the saw likely cannot tension them properly.
Most people tend to stick with 1/2" or maybe 5/8" blades as a max blade
width on 14" bandsaws.
Chris
<[email protected]> wrote in message
> advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
My experience is that most 14" band saws available in the US do not handle
3/4" blades all that well. If you must have a 3/4" blade as your minimum
requirement for intended use, then you will want to raise your sights toward
a larger band saw.
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Last update: 8/08/07
KarlC@ (the obvious)
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I am a casual woodworker, in the process of acquiring a new bandsaw to
> be used mainly for resawing large flitches. The saws I have been
> looking at are Grizzly brand, models G0513/G0513X (17") and G0475
> (14"). For my purpose the main difference is the size of the wheels.
> I have been offered the opinion that the larger wheels, which will
> take a 1" blade (vs 3/4" for the smaller saw) has a very significant
> advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
>
> Any opinion on whether or not I should opt for the larger wheels would
> be much appreciated. Comments on this particular brand, and on these
> specific models also welcome.
>
I had little luck resawing with my Delta 14". I just traded up to the
Grizzly 19" and am thrilled with it.
It is probably twice the price of a 14", but if you can swing it, it is a
great investment.
Others will tell you that I must just not be good at it; they resaw all day
long on their 14" with no trouble.
Thats great, but they ought to try a 19".
[email protected] wrote:
> I am a casual woodworker, in the process of acquiring a new bandsaw to
> be used mainly for resawing large flitches. The saws I have been
> looking at are Grizzly brand, models G0513/G0513X (17") and G0475
> (14"). For my purpose the main difference is the size of the wheels.
> I have been offered the opinion that the larger wheels, which will
> take a 1" blade (vs 3/4" for the smaller saw) has a very significant
> advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
>
> Any opinion on whether or not I should opt for the larger wheels would
> be much appreciated. Comments on this particular brand, and on these
> specific models also welcome.
>
> Carlo G, BC, Canada
>
[email protected] wrote:
> I am a casual woodworker, in the process of acquiring a new bandsaw to
> be used mainly for resawing large flitches. The saws I have been
> looking at are Grizzly brand, models G0513/G0513X (17") and G0475
> (14"). For my purpose the main difference is the size of the wheels.
> I have been offered the opinion that the larger wheels, which will
> take a 1" blade (vs 3/4" for the smaller saw) has a very significant
> advantage for resawing. My gut feeling is that the 14" with 3/4"
> blade would be more than adequate for my particular needs.
>
> Any opinion on whether or not I should opt for the larger wheels would
> be much appreciated. Comments on this particular brand, and on these
> specific models also welcome.
FWW reviewed 14" bandsaws within the last issue or two. The Griz G0457
was "Best Value". Is the G0475 a typo/transposition or is there another
model?
IMO, it depends on what you mean by "large". If the size you think you
will try to resaw is approaching the max height capacity of the saw, I'd
opt for the larger.
In the FWW review, the only drawback noted for the Griz was that blade
changes were noted as "difficult", but the resaw tests were "good" for
quality and among the fastest of all for the speed of cut (which
translates to ease). The tall fence was complimented as being good for
resawing. The Griz G055SX rated as "Good" on cut test and was somewhat
less expensive but requires an optional riser block to get the same
resaw capacity. It does appear to use the same fence, but has 1-1/2
instead of 2-hp motor and was three times slower on the timed resaw test
(same 1/2" 3-tpi blade used for the resaw tests of all machine).
BTW, "Best Overall" was the Laguna, but it's twice the price...
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