Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Oct 24, 2010 11:12am | #1

   14" the new 10"?

   My impression is that 14" is pretty much the new "small" standard. There are still a few 10" machines on the market, though. A Google search turns up several. Whether they would be suitable for what you are doing depends on what you are doing.

2. 
   bones | Oct 24, 2010 11:52am | #2

   difference not worth the cost

   I would have to say that what you would save is minimal (cost .vs. bennefit) on a 10" .vs. 14"   For a couple reasons.   First if the only thing you want to do is tiny intricut cuts for crafts then ok 10" will work.  For the most part you will not find a quality one and IMO you would be throwing your money away.  I had one (and looked at a lot of them) and for the most part not a serious tool except for the smallest of things (I was making small craft items for craft shows).  The quality of cut will be iffy at best and blade choices extremely limited.   For the 14" however, that to me would be the floor.   It will do some decent cutting and a lot of them have riser blocks and blade choices off the rack and custom lengths as well.  You could also look for a used older machine.   I decided to go with the Grizzly 17" hd.  However I wanted a larger top as resawing was my main purpose.   I have it set up now for that purpose and would like to add a 14" just to have a 1/4" or 1/2" blade on it for cutting smaller curves etc.   Good luck on the hunt!

3. 
   SawdustSteve | Oct 24, 2010 03:32pm | #3

   10 inch banddsaw

   Hi Tommy.... about 5 years ago I had the same question, whether to go with a 10 inch or 14 inch saw.  None of  the 10 inchers that were available would not meet my standards for accuracy or neatness of cut.  You can not get the proper tension on the blade in order for it to track properly.  Most of my work is (was) toys, lots of it from 2 x 4 stock.  I could not get the tight curves I wanted, and if I hit a really hard piece of wood, or it had knots in it, then it almost stalled out.  Several people here on Knots told me to look at the Grizzly G0555.  It has every feature you will need, unless you plan to do some heavy duty re-sawing on LARGE pieces.  It has a good motor and a ribbed drive belt.  The ribbed drive belt eliminates almost any chance of it ever slipping.  It has Ball-bearing guides and the ability to add a riser if it is needed later on.   It also has a two speed pulley for the slower speed needed to cut metal, if your work ever goes in that direction.  Take a good look at it on the Grizzly site (http://www.grizzly.com).  I use this saw like an overgrown scroll saw, lots of curves, tight turns and plunge cuts.  I tend to use Olsen blades as they are available in my area.  I found the Delta blades from Home Despot were of very poor quality.   My only complaint was that it did not come with a hex key (4 mm or 5/32") to adjust the guides, and the blade they sent with it was of poor quality, but I replaceds it immediately with a better and narrower blade..

       SawdustSteve   Long Island, NY  (E of NYC)

1. 
   whitedogstr8leg | Oct 24, 2010 03:53pm | #5

   There IS one ..

   good one on the market in 10".     RIKON ( also at SEARS)  makes a nice 10"  version of thier larger saws.    Everybody will try to sell one on getting a larger saw.     IF one doesn't have a need for, or space for, a larger saw, sometimes a benchtop comes in nicely.     I currently have two benchtops,  a Delta for "rough cutting" , and an old sears "three-wheeler" for  doing "sroll" work.   I just never had the need for the larger saws, let alone the spacein the shop.   IF a smaller saw fits the work ( and workspace) you are doing, then a small RIKON would be about the best out there.

2. 
   reginag | Oct 25, 2010 10:50am | #6

   The usage may depend on sizes.

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4. 
   BruceS | Oct 24, 2010 03:49pm | #4

   10" or 14" ?

   The footprint of the 14"  is not going to be noticeably larger than 10"er.  Kind of like comparing mini/midi lathes to full sized lathes.    The bigger boys can do anything the little guys can but the reverse of that is not true.

   I would go 14",  and that is because I have one with a riser block.

5. 
   woodrapper | Oct 25, 2010 07:52pm | #7

   10" band saw can work

   Hi Tommy,

   I have and have been happy with the Craftsman (Rikon) 10" saw.  It's been going fine for a couple of years now.  Blades are easily available from Timberwolf by mail order, and so is the "woodslicer " from Highland.  The primary limitation is in resawing, where you have only a bit over 4 inches of headway. 

   It will cut 2x4, albeit slowly, and the blades track very well (except for the 1/8" blade which will not track at all no matter what brand you buy).  The Timberwolf 3/8" blade does a respectable job of resawing, as well as ripping, and will also serve you for curly cuts within its radius limits.  I use it as an all purpose blade, and go with a slicer or 1/4" only for very special cuts. 

   Now I must say that if I had the space for a decent 14" that will take riser blocks to give me greater resawing capacity, I would likely pay the erxtra bucks and go for it.  If space or $$ need to be conserved, though, the Craftsman/Rikon for $200 or less will work for you .

6. 
   HarleyDog1 | Oct 27, 2010 10:12pm | #8

   10" bandsaw

   If you are enthused?? about woodworking.... get a 14". You'll grow into it quickly. I cut everything I can on my 14" bs. Much safer than a table saw.

1. 
   HomeHack | Oct 31, 2010 09:29am | #9

   What about the JET

   I'm in the same boat as Tommy, limited space and budget.  But I want a good saw that can do alot.  In my small shop (12x18) I have to store tools not in use, and bring out those I want for an operation.  This said, I think the Rikon is well suited for me.

     Has anyone got any experience with the JET JWBS 10OS saw.  It's spec's make it look heftier, and it's not much more than the Rikon. Thanks.