Last month, I attended the Woodworking Show in Vancouver, BC and came across a 15 inch General model 690-1 bandsaw being sold be House of Tools.  It has an approximate 12″ capacity for resawing.  Not the imported model, but the made in Canada model.  The bandsaw had been used during the weekend by students at the show to show off their skills in woodworking.  It was discounted from $2,895 to $2,000 (all in Cdn dollars) and came with a mobile stand, 2 extra bandsaw blades and was already wired for 220v outlet.  After a sale’s pitch by the salesman regarding the value of the made in Canada model versus the imported model, I purchased it for free delivery the following week.

A comedy of errors occurred after the sale.  Another salesman sold the same bandsaw again after the sold sign was displayed on the back of the machine.  When I call the following week to ask for a time of delivery, the company told me that I had already picked it up the previous day.  After the confusion was cleared up, the salesman was kind enough to deliver a brand new model with all the accessories that were included in the one I was supposed to receive.  Talk about service!  I guess their loss and my gain.

As I do not have much space in my workshop, the bandsaw will be used in place of a tablesaw.  I have not started to use it yet, but does anyone know how these bandsaws have stood up and their performance. 

Bill