Replies

1. 
   Marcello | Oct 23, 2002 05:01pm | #1

   For 14" band saws, the Delta and the Jet are almost identical machines.  The resawing capacity for these saws is 6" unless you get the extension which would make them 12".  I have been resawing with my Jet for over a year now and don't have any complaints.  I did purchase the widest blade it could handle (Lennox's carbide tipped, 3-4 tpi, 3/4" blade).  I do resaw some exotics with it; the carbide tips are a dream.  It is an expensive blade, $105, but I feel much more comfortable with it.  Get the extension before you but any blades.

   I know Jet came out with a larger saw but I am not sure of its capabilities, maybe some one else can help there.  The current issued of FWW has tips for tunning up a band saw for resawing, the last issue had tips for tunning up a band saw.

1. 
   gpwest | Oct 25, 2002 08:53pm | #12

   For a look at the differences between the 14" Delta and Jet, send off for the Iturra catalog.  Besides selling just about every bandsaw accessory you could want, they have several useful articles on operation, tune ups, etc, including one several pages long comparing the diferences between Delta & Jet.   GP

1. 
   Marcello | Oct 25, 2002 08:58pm | #13

   I got it, that is what I was basing my comment on.  Thanks though.

2. 
   unTreatedwood | Oct 25, 2002 10:00pm | #15

   I bot 18" Jet a few months ago and put the "woodslicer" blade on from Highland Hardware in Atlanta.  It's been terrific.  Came in great shape, top and bottom were alilgned and many of the features of the European saws had been added.  It is my first bandsaw, so take that for what it's worth.

   B.B.

1. 
   Marcello | Oct 25, 2002 10:17pm | #16

   I have been very pleased with the 14" Jet.  I can only dream of owning an 18".  What is the depth of cut?  Have you been resawing with it?  How thick of a blade can you put in it?

1. 
   unTreatedwood | Oct 26, 2002 01:52pm | #20

   not sure about depth of cut.. technicals are on web.  I have done some resawing... the blade made all the difference.  The catalogue was right: product of resawing is almost ready for finishing!  the woodslicer is 1/2", I think.  I love it. as I recall, widest blade I can use is 1 1/2 or 1 3/4.  Again, I would have to check the handbook.

   b.b.

   Edited 10/26/2002 6:54:29 AM ET by big bob

1. 
   Marcello | Oct 28, 2002 07:15am | #22

   It is amazing what the right blade does for a cut.  When I first got my saw, I tried resawing with the standard 3/8", 24tpi (or so), blade that came with it.  Needless to say, the blade over heated after repeated screwed up cuts and snaped.  I had to change troussers after that.  Read some more on the type of blades and settled on a 3/4"  3tpi.   Been having a blast since then...untill the screaming band saw thing, (different posting).  Got it fugured out though thanks to some other guys in the forum.

2. 
   unTreatedwood | Oct 28, 2002 06:36pm | #23

   http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/sixrules.html

   I would suggest you take a look at this website.  It was a big help to me.  Sounds like you may have overdone your tension.  This gave me a big boost, as I had never had any experience with a bandsaw.  Wouldn't be without one now!  Last 3 jobs I had work that could not have been duplicated on any other tool.  Very happy to say the least.

   BB

3. 
   Marcello | Oct 28, 2002 06:50pm | #24

   Thanks a million, I have printed that info and will try tonight.

   Marcello

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Oct 26, 2002 05:11am | #17

   big bob

      Ah. Glad to see another that has discovered the Woodslicer that Highland Hardware has made. Secret weapons are becoming not so secret. Ha.....

   Re-saw away........

   sarge..jt

2. 
   Lar55 | Oct 23, 2002 05:14pm | #2

   Matt,

   I bought the Delta a month ago and like it, no complaints.  WOOD magazine in their October issue has an article on 14" bandsaws.  For their cutting power rating the Laguna LT14 is way ahead of any other 14".  It is their favorite for resawing.  General has a 15" model which is a couple of hundred pounds heavier than any of the popular 14" models.  It also cost a few hundred more but is rock solid.

   Check them all out, have fun doing it and best of luck in your decision.

   Lar

3. 
   DennisS | Oct 23, 2002 05:17pm | #3

   I personally don't see my Delta 14' saw as a re-saw machine. The widest blade it will take is 3/4" and while I've used the carbide tipped 3/4" blade from Lennox with good results, it's slow and to do work of any size you'll need to add the extensions as has been mentioned or build yourself a bigger table. I haven't checked prices but you'll definitely need, or should consider the 1hp version or figure on sawpping out the motor on the 3/4hp with something more powerful.

   My saw took an evening's worth of tuning up, aligning the wheels mostly, to get a 3/4" blade to track correctly. The open stand on the less expensive 3/4hp model make the machine seem somewhat top heavy which isn't a good thing if you're trying to push a large piece through it.

   The new Jet larger capacity saws look really attractive to me now that I've had a little band sawing experience. Can't speak to their quality as I've not used one but the 20" takes a 1 1/2" blade (I believe) and is a really heavy duty beast. No, you don't need a lot of throut capacity for resawing; I can't imagine trying to work with even a 14" wide piece of material 8" thick through my saw unless I take some time to build a sturdier base and some extensions infeed and outfeed.

   These are just observations from a comparative newby in the game.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   krislu | Oct 23, 2002 07:38pm | #4

   Well here's my take on it. I bought the 18" Jet about a year or so ago. I was between the 14" Delta and the 18" Jet. At the time the Delta was $800 and the Jet was $1000 . I kept reading how I should make upgrades to the Delta ie.. motor,fence,riserblock,tension spring etc and I priced all this up and came past the price of the Jet and I also didn't like the small table on the Delta and came to the conclusion that the Jet was a better deal for me. Today both Jet and Grizzly are coming out with new saws you might want to take a look at. Jet has a new 16" saw coming which is selling for $800. The specs sound the same as there 18" but it looks like there making standard things that came with the 18" options on the 16". Check it out and do your homework.  - Kris

1. 
   alias | Oct 24, 2002 03:37am | #5

   i just bought the 18" 2 weeks ago, whats your opinion of the saw's performance after a year and half?? thanks bear

1. 
   krislu | Oct 24, 2002 04:09pm | #6

   Bear- After a year and a half I'm in love with this saw! the performance is great. It is a fine value. This saw has done everything I have asked of it. You made the right decision. I can't see anyone buying the 14" saws anymore with this saw and the new 16" on the market. To get anything better your really going climb in dollars.   - Kris

1. 
   alias | Oct 25, 2002 01:42am | #10

   aaaahhhhh Kris you've made my evening thanks was a little worried and thought i'd put it off till after new year and bought the laguna. but i did do a lot of research and figured i'd make the jump......... i did my first resaw with an 11/4" blade today 12/4 by 8, and 10 and it did fine was definitly pleasedand with an 3/8 blade cut out more 6"and 8" circles from 8/4 pine it really is in blade and tension. but again thanks cheers bear

4. 
   sharptools | Oct 24, 2002 04:40pm | #7

   Matt:

   Don't overlook used equipment.  I purchased a used 14" Delta of 1940s vintage with a cast iron stand and fixed it up for less than half of what a new one would cost.  I know that buying used equipment and reconditioning it isn't for everyone, but there is a lot of good equipment out there just waiting for a new owner.

   I realize that many people aren't willing to put in the time and would rather just buy something new and be done with it.  For others, it becomes an extension pf the woodworking hobby.  And for some, buying a restoring old woodworking becomes a hobby all on its own.  By the way, you can see some of my equipment (the 14" band saw and a 12" Delta lathe) in the photo index at http://oldwwmachines.com

   Kevin

5. 
   bucheron1 | Oct 24, 2002 07:44pm | #8

   I bought the 16", open stand Grizzly last year.  Had a couple of problems with it that customer service worked out quickly.  It's got a fixed frame, so the cut height is fixed at about 7 3/4".   The beast weighs in at 450+ pounds!!  It's running on a diet of 220 volts and has cut anything I've thrown at it.  I gotta get some better blades, though, 'cause the Griz blades aren't the best. 

6. 
   mgumaer | Oct 25, 2002 12:56am | #9

   Still looking. Read some nice reviews of the Laguna. Went to see the 18" Jet in person and a slightly older DELTA 14" (doesn't have the new 1 1/2 horse motor). I guess I'm leaning toward a welded steel frame (from what I've read, it seems like they generally have less vibration). I'd like to see the new Jet 16" but I think it might not come with a rip fence or miter gauge so maybe by the time you throw them in there's not too much difference in price between 16 and 18. Thanks for all the input.

   Matt

1. 
   TKanzler | Oct 25, 2002 08:12am | #11

   The 14" 28-241 is also available with a 2 hp motor, the 28-241F.  It's in the Delta 2003 catalog, page 42.Be seeing you...

2. 
   BG | Oct 25, 2002 09:36pm | #14

   Matt,

   I'm kinda in the same boat..which one?  I'm interested in the griz because of the cast iron wheels..maybe xman can tell us more...resawing, tuning, blade changing, marital bliss...

   Still trying to figure out what drift is all about..

7. 
   mgumaer | Oct 26, 2002 05:15am | #18

   Well,

   I went to the local Woodworker's Warehouse to take a look and was fondly stroking the Jet 18" saw (no jokes about masculine compensation and all that please) for $1099.00 when the store manager asked me if I'd like $200 off the saw (it was their last "gold series" saw which was being replaced with a non-"gold-series" saw). Well, maybe it was an impulse buy, but, I'm still grinning from ear to ear. I can't actually pick the thing up until Sunday, but, at $899.00, I couldn't pass it up.

   Sunday promises to be an adventure in resawing some paduak for slats on a cradle. Thanks for the advice and tips.

   Matt

1. 
   unTreatedwood | Oct 26, 2002 01:49pm | #19

   Here's to a man who can make decisions.  Happy sawing.  I have to work on trim today.

   b.b.

2. 
   alias | Oct 27, 2002 02:58am | #21

   bought the same saw ,and got the same deal. bought three weeks ago having fun with it. me thinks we got a deal...........hopefully.... if you got time let me know how the padauk works out cheers bear

   Edited 10/26/2002 9:01:38 PM ET by the bear