Replies

1. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 26, 2003 10:45pm | #1

   I have a 18" bandsaw of the 80's vintage but I am not sure who made it. The saw looks like the Grizzly but I am certain it is not. I am thinking it is a Busy Bee. But enough about that. I have never had any problems with my band saw as of yet. I find that the blade guides suck and I installed cool blocks and replace most of the nuts and bolts with new better made knobs. The saw runs fine there is no problem with the wheels on my and they run true and square. The motor has two belts and has never gave me any trouble though the guy I bought it off of had to replace the switch as it feel apart on him. The castings are a little rough but are well machined where it counts. I would like to find a riser block but cannot seem to find on any where. I am now looking at building one in the new year.

   All in all it does what I ask it but it pales in comparison to Mini Max and Laguna.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website

   "This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

   
1. 
   BG | Dec 27, 2003 12:56am | #2

   Scott,

   Thanks, that is helpful.  Do you know if yours is Taiwan?  I'm assuming the Grizzly is Taiwan.  The model design is similar to yours.

   I'm concerned that if I buy a 14" Grizzly (similar price to the used 18"), even with a riser block,  will be underpowered.  As you know, the price jump to a 16" is substantial. 

1. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 27, 2003 01:48am | #3

   I have not been able to find any identification marks any were on the saw. I plane on stripping it down some day and rebuilding it more for aesthetic reasons than any thing else. If the price is right and it seems to be in good shape then I would go for it. I have resawed 8" hardwood with no problems and it does everything that i ask of it.

   Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

1. 
   BG | Dec 27, 2003 04:26am | #4

   Scott,

   I just got some bad news.  I sent some questions to the sellers of the saw up in Portland.  Unfortunately, that turned out to be Portland, Oregon not Portland, Maine.  I was planning on picking it up to keep costs within my budget..and be able to see it before the money left my hands.  I figured a I'd drive up from Boston in the station wagon ....now appears I'd need to take a left at Portland, ME and go straight for 3000 miles..sigh...need to rethink.. thanks 

1. 
   SCFrankland | Dec 27, 2003 04:51am | #5

   Well if you were planning on picking it up in a station wagon then I would count the fact that it is 3000 miles away as a stroke of luck. I brought my bandsaw home in the back of my full size GMC pickup and four of use worked like dogs to load onto the truck and three of use worked even harder to get it off once we got home.Scott C. Frankland

   Scott's WOODWORKING Website"This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"

2. 
   CharlieP | Dec 27, 2003 05:18pm | #6

   I recently got the G0555 14 inch Grizzly with the riser block and love it.  The latest project requires resawing 8-12 inch wide Bubinga, with no problem.  I just talked to a woodworking instructor who does a lot of bandsaw work with an old 1/2 hp saw - she argues that you just need to take your time, and if the blade is sharp and well aligned, the lowest power saws work fine. 

   Grizzly pays to deliver it to your home, no extra charge for the lift gate or home delivery.  But it was easier for me to pick it up from the trucker in my minivan.  Which was possible with the 14 inch, but I wouldn't want to try it with a bigger unit. 

1. 
   sgoose | Dec 28, 2003 04:05pm | #7

   I am looking seriously at the G0555 and was interested in the dust collection of this saw.  How large is the outlet and how efficient is it when attached to a central system?  Thanks for your input.

1. 
   brnaclbil | Dec 28, 2003 04:19pm | #8

   The G0555 has a 4" dust port.

   I can't comment on it's effectiveness as I only have a shop vac connected to mine.

   Bill

2. 
   sgoose | Dec 28, 2003 04:33pm | #9

   Thanks for your reply.  Have a great Holiday Season!

3. 
   CharlieP | Dec 28, 2003 06:14pm | #10

   I got the G0555 as an upgrade from the Jet 14 inch because the dust collection was so bad on the Jet.  (After I got it, I found additional things that made the cheaper Grizzly better than the more expensive Jet).  The Grizzly has a 4 inch dust port, and dust collection is FAR better than the Jet (which works the same as the Delta 14 inch).  The Grizzly probably catches 80% or more when resawing (creating a lot of dust), but I still wouldn't want to run it in my living room. 

   Edited 12/28/2003 10:16:29 AM ET by Charlie

4. 
   sgoose | Jan 09, 2004 05:39am | #16

   Thanks for the information.

   sgoose

2. 
   BG | Dec 28, 2003 07:29pm | #11

   Charlie,

   Sorry for the delay, I was out of town.  I've heard so many good things about the G0555 it's definitly on the short list.  I want to only make this purchase once and we all know more trunnion and motor power is better(ha,ha) than less.  On the other hand, if smaller meets the needs why waste the space and dollars.

   I've also been interested in the G1073, it received awards, it's bigger and more powerfull and I think cast iron wheels(less vibration)...but I think the resawing capacity is less.   My resawing needs don't go much 8" either way....rough stock resawn for draws, etc.

   It woudl be great if someone has tried both the 555 and the 1073. If everyone is satisfied with the 0555 that will probably be the way I go...unless used Iron pops up...sigh...    

1. 
   CharlieP | Dec 29, 2003 11:51pm | #12

   The 1073 looks good, and did win a bunch of awards 7-8 years ago.  But I don't regret my G0555 purchase. 

   Notice that the 1073 has a 2 hp motor which either requires a special 120 volt circuit or a 220 volt outlet - that is too much for an ordinary household circuit. 

   Notice that the 1073 cannot add a riser block.  The 8 inch capacity may be fine, but you can't increase it as you can take the G0555 from 6 inches to 12 inches.  I don't expect to resaw anything that wide, but if I had a special project I could....

   Note that the 1073 only has a vacuum cleaner dust port (2 1/2 inches?).  The reason I sold my Jet and got the Grizzly was the bad Jet dust collection - the Grizzly G0555 has a real 4 inch dust port, plus standard roller guides, tension release, etc. 

2. 
   BG | Dec 30, 2003 12:52am | #13

   Charlie,

   All execellent points.  Your thinking is just where mine is ...only you got experience on your side and I don't...lol.  In my particular situation I happen to have the option of 115 or 220 right where the saw would go....and I only have a lousy shop vac....the award for the G0555 is current...not sure the 1995 award for the 1073 is relevant anymore.

   I'm remembering from a year ago the info I gleamed from the 'Bandsaw Book' and the bandsaws that were on my short list.  I was focused on a band saw that had cast iron wheels ..grizzly makes a few of them ..and the 16" Jet.  This was before the Go555 had been introduced.  My current research is leading me to select a Grizzly that is ISO 9000 built...with or without cast iron wheels.  The Jet 16" is still on the list because I would buy that locally and get local support.

   What I am concluding is the G0555 (with the riser) will probably meet all of my needs.  That will cost about $500 with delivery, riser block and mobile base.  I can get the Jet 16" for $749...no base required, no delivery, local support.  A $250 dollar difference is real...but...not all that significant for a major piece in the shop.

   That's where I'm at on the decision...

3. 
   MajorWool | Dec 30, 2003 12:57am | #14

   Just a heads up that a Rockler flyer came in today and they have the $599 Delta Bandsaw for a final price of $409. The flyer was supposed to be delivered Jan 5-7, so some of you may not have seen this yet.

4. 
   BG | Dec 30, 2003 06:22am | #15

   Jet Boy,

   Thanks for the heads up...maybe I'll take a ride over to Rockler tomorrow and see what gives on the Delta deal...

2. 
   wdrudman | Jan 09, 2004 09:02pm | #17

   If you were willing to drive to Maine, consider a road trip to Grizzly in Muncy, PA.  I detoured on my way home from Pittsburgh (to DC) to pick up a benchtop radial drill press.  Talk about kid in a candy store... 

   Fortunately, I drive a Celica, so I was limited by space on how much I could take with me (limits of $$ don't seem to sway my decisionmaking as much as it should).

   But such a trip would give you the chance to compare and contrast a lot (mind-blowing selection) of models at once.

   I love being able to order things over the internet, and I'll even take my chances with wood (thin stock).  But I like to see and touch the big items before I buy them.  Pictures just don't do them justice.

   Just a thought.