I’ve been looking at the Delta and Jet 14″ bandsaws. Any opinions? They seem comparable. The Jet has a 1 1/4 horse motor and the Delta has a 1 horse motor. I prefer the table, quick release, and larger base on the Delta. Not much price difference. The Jet is more expensive, but it’s on sale. Pretty comparable pricing on both. Just wanting to know if anyone has strong feelings on one over the other. Thanks.
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Replies
I have the X5 Delta 14" (added the riser kit) and am very happy with it. I also added a Kreg fence and timber Wolf blades and it does everything I want it to.
That said, I hear lots of good things about the Jet also. I just have not used one myself. It looks like a nice machine as well.
Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
I'm guessing that there really isn't much difference. I might see if I can find any reviews online and see if there have been any comparison studies. Of course I'd like to get a Laguna or Mini-max, but that will have to be some day in the future. Thanks for the reply.
I've used both and when I bought I went with the Delta because I liked the table better, just as you mentioned. However, when I bought my jointer I went with the Jet because I liked the adjustments better. Both are good and which ever you choose do it on the basis of comfort, you'll use it a long time.
Doc,
I bought the 14" Delta (1hp) and have been very happy. One minor detail, however, to check: the top can easily move such that it's not 90 degrees to the blade. I can tighten the trunnion handles all I want but if I lean in the top it will shift...and cause drift while resawing. They may be a way to file the trunnion to get a better seating at the 90 degree angle, I have not tried that yet.
Jet / Delta ?? Close call. Delta is coming with 2 speeds(bonus), Delta has up front adjustments on the lower cool blocks and bearing which are easy to adjust. Jets adjustments for the lower assembly are burried behind the blade and difficult to accurately adjust. Delta X5 has the extended warranty also (5 years) I Sell both and recommend the Delta. But Keep Watching both, They are forever one upping each other with new features, Now I prefer Delta, In Six months It may be Jet??????? Money being no object ? Laguna !!
The Delta table has an adjustable stop underneath to register the table to 90°. If your table is not locking, it may be some debris in the travel arch ways or something else that is preventing the bolts from pulling tight.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
If you want to save considerable shekels, look at the Delta 14-inch bandsaw at Lowe's - $379 last time I looked. They have the basic 14-inch w/open stand, 3/4-hp motor, blade tension release, & single speed. The stand is not flimsy at all. It runs smoothly. It is better in all respects than the Jet 12-inch that I had used prior to that. The table tilting problem is not confined to Delta bandsaws. No matter what you buy, beware of that problem. I added the column height accessory & bought a second-hand 1-1/2-hp motor. The motor mod was difficult & I doubt that it was worth it. All my bandsaw cuts are slow & careful, never speedy, anyway. I will switch back to 3/4-hp one day when I have nothing better to do. I did some veneer resawing before changing motors. I had some problems with that. The cause seems to be the wood species, not the tool or blade. The same problem presented itself after the motor change. I tried a Powertwist belt also. I took it off because the saw is very smooth-running with the regular belt.
Good luck!
Cadiddlehopper
I just bought the jet 14" open stand last month. I put the riser block on it and found out that the post was 3/4 on my saw and 7/8 on the riser block kit. Now I said a few bad thing at this point due to i was done and had just put the riser block kit on all by my self and did not have help holding up a 50 lb upper post set.
it was also on Saturday that i did this and jet was closed.
on monday i called jet and they knew about the issue and took total responsibility for it. on Wednesday came a ups package with the upper casting and a set of roller guides.
I would but the jet due to they took responsibility for the issue and sent me a set of guides for the trouble with out my asking for anything but to be able to use the block safely.
Customer services set them apart on this. I will make jet/powermatic on the top of my list for future purchases.
David
bye the way the saw $499 was on sale for 399 and had a 50 rebate and a 50 gift card. so for
349 saw
55 riser had a 25% off coupon
47 for a table and fence. 129 less 25% less 50 card
0 guides
+-$450 i have the saw and a good experience with the vendor.
the vendor got a good posting from me for fixing a problem.
Hey Doc,
I have the 14" Jet with riser block. Bought it new about 2 years ago for around $550. I love the saw. It does absolutely everything I ask it to. I find it to be stable, vibration free, and powerful enough to handle most re-sawing tasks. I have not used any of the newer Delta bandsaws but have experience with older models. I doubt that performance-wise there would be a lot of difference. I intend to upgrade the upper and lower guides as funds allow. I would do this regardless of the brand.
Good luck,
-Paul
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