Replies

1. 
   Len | Oct 06, 2003 09:52pm | #1

   Larry,

   Try Laguna tools. I have a 13" that works great.

   http://www.lagunatools.com

   There is a new 16" that lists for $1295.

   Some people don't like their service.

   Len

2. 
   BG | Oct 06, 2003 10:17pm | #2

   Larry,

   How bout an oldie....

   http://www.brentwoodmachine.com/merchant/used_tool/bandsaws/bandsaws.htm

   I'd look at Grizzly and cast iron wheels...
3. 
   wop | Oct 07, 2003 12:36am | #3

      Wait a year or so until you can save up enough for a minimax or an agazzani, you won't be sorry.

                                                                   Philip

4. 
   migraine | Oct 07, 2003 03:08am | #4

   Keep an eye out for one in EBAY.  I've seen some good deals in the past

5. 
   forestgirl | Oct 07, 2003 03:39am | #5

   Larry, if you're near a good-sized city, give a call to the local auctioneers -- especially one who specializes in industrial auctions.  We have Murphy-something in the Seattle area, and he's had a number of auctions over the past year at companies that were liquidating their woodworking, milling or cabinetry machines.

   Hope you're looking at the new Jet JWBS-16!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   LarryPile | Oct 07, 2003 04:16am | #6

   Hey FG....You SHOULD respond...remember that this bandsaw is going to be NAMED after you....remember?  Your rack?

   I'm actually looking at the 18" Jet. 

   For about $700 I can get the 16"..without roller bearing blade guides, no fence and no mitre guage.

   For about $1000 I can get the 18" with roller bearing blade guides, supposedly a decent fence and what probably is a cheap mitre guage...plus I have a slightly bigger saw.

   My reservation is the reviews on Amazon complain about the motor being underpowered...

   L~

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 07, 2003 04:40am | #7

   Larry, how could I forget?!?  <g>

   re: the Jet motor, wouldn't be the first time their bandsaws have been accused of being under-powered.  Sounds to me like you oughta go out and find one o' them there ol' Monster Saws from days gone by.  You know, 5HP, 24" with, say, 12" resaw.  Weighs in at about 1500 lb.  Wow!

   PS:  Just heard there's a new novel coming out by a local author, titled "Our Lady of the Forest" so I went and looked it up.  The story "revolves around a sixteen-year-old itinerant mushroom picker who has a vision of the Virgin Mary."  Whoa!  Not me, guys, not me!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   SawdustRay | Oct 07, 2003 07:45pm | #9

   Larry,

   I just bought the Jet 16" this year at Woodworker's show for 10% off.  Hadn't been used - not even as a demo.  It's my first band saw and I love it.  That means I'm not an expert but am very happy with what I got.  Like you I would love to have gotten the MiniMax but the used demo was almost $1000.00 more.  The bottom guides are a hassle to adjust which makes changing the blades a bit cumbersome.  No complaints otherwise.

6. 
   jazzdogg | Oct 07, 2003 07:11am | #8

   Larry,

   I absolutely love my 20" Inca. 8" resaw capacity, absolutely no drift resawing white oak, mahogany, maple. Beefy 120 V motor, magnetic switch. Quiet, stable, smooth.

   BTW, after removing 4 bolts, I can lift the saw, table, and mobile base (one piece at a time, of course) and place the whole rig in the back of my Suburban without assistance. Not sure I'd want to try that with an Agazanni or Laguna, or even a 14" Delta or Jet! Great for those occasions when a bandsaw would be a blessing on a jobsite - not to mention bringing the thing home in the first place.

   Eagle Tools (Los Angeles) is where I got mine. Really nice people - no games or BS.

   I highly recommend Inca bandsaws.

   Good luck with your search,
   Paul

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/7/2003 12:18:05 AM ET by jazzdogg

7. 
   forestgirl | Oct 07, 2003 08:07pm | #10

   PS:  I read a couple of those reviews on Amazon -- mesquite?? locust?? Man, those guys like the hardwood, don't they?!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

8. 
   mike4244 | Oct 07, 2003 11:08pm | #11

   Larry, the 16" Grizzly will resaw up to 7 3/4". If this is close enough to 8" for you this is an excellent saw. 2hp, 220, I have used blades from 3/16" to 3/4". Once set up this saw tracks very nicely. Comes with cool blocks but ball bearing guides are optional.Very heavy saw, about 450lbs. If you need to occasionally move this saw around you will need the ShopFox mobile base. Dust collection is good, miter gauge okay, fence very good.I've had this saw about three years with no problems except the on off switch went bad. I do not recall what I paid for it, somewhere around $700.00 with shipping.

   mike

9. 
   Tac4 | Oct 08, 2003 03:01am | #12

   I just got info from Laguna. The LT14SE has a 12" resaw capacity and a 2hp motor. It looks like a very nice saw for around $1000.  The LT14 has an 8 5/8" resaw and a 1 1/2HP motor for $895.

   What do you call a boomerang that doesn't come back?

   A stick.

10. 
    RMillard | Oct 08, 2003 02:21pm | #13

    Larry,

    I have had the Jet 14 open stand bandsaw, with riser block for almost 6 years, and have used it nearly everyday of that 6 years. This is my main power tool, so it gets a workout. If it went belly up today, I’d buy the closed stand version( for its 1 HP motor). The only modification I made to the saw was the addition of the link belt things, some homemade “bandrollers”, and an after market spring. As long as you use 3/8” or narrower blades this saw will handle anything. I just resawed some 6-7” wide oak for someone yesterday, and they were amazed at how quickly and easily the saw accomplished the task. You could buy this saw with the rip fence and several blades and have plenty of money left over for wood, which is the most important item.

                                              Rob Millard

1. 
   DustyTom | Oct 08, 2003 08:53pm | #14

   I've had my Jet 18" with roller guides for a year now. I'm a serious hobbyist so it doesn't get used every day, but when it does it preforms wonderfully. Buy some good blades (timberwolf, woodmiser) and you won't be disappointed.

   Good Luck!

11. 
    ssittler | Oct 08, 2003 10:37pm | #15

    I'm happy with my Laguna 16" heavyduty saw fitted with Timberwolf 1/2" blade...

12. 
    BG | Oct 09, 2003 02:39am | #16

    larry,

    I don't have a bandsaw but have done extensive research and read every post on here relative to bandsaws for the past couple of years.  For price, functionality and quality I had decided the Grizzly 16" or 18" was for me with the cast iron wheels.

    But the more I've listened to those who do have bandsaws they appear to be a real pain from time to time...and that caused me to rethink the issue.  I decided that when I do buy a bandsaw I want to buy locally so I can have support..or at least someplace to go and whine.  I think the Jet 16 or 18 seems to be the best bet that would provide local support.