Replies

1. 
   philip | Aug 21, 2007 01:49pm | #1

   I'm not familiar with that machine but having a variable speed is mighty useful on a bandsaw-particularly if one just dials a knob or shifts a lever.What is the slowest fpm (feet per minute) speed for this saw?
   To cut harder metals efficiently the blade needs to be tensioned more than what is normal for wood, so is this Grizzly machine also fairly robust?
   What materials would you be cutting in your shop?

   Philip Marcou
2. 
   RickL | Aug 21, 2007 02:31pm | #2

   I do both metal and woodwork and find it simpler to have a seperate bandsaw dedicated for metal. You can buy a horizontal/vertical metal bandsaw for a couple hundred bucks.

   It's a real nuisance to go from wood to metal on a saw. I'll be cutting wood one minute and a piece of steel the next minute for a jig or tool repair or modification and the time to switch blades and speeds would be a deal killer without a doubt.

   I strongly recommend going with seperate machines. It's actually cheaper in the long run.

   Not sure what Craftsman you are referreing to but it takes a gear box to reduce the speed for cutting steel. Aluminum and brass you can cut with a regular woodcutting bandsaw on a limited basis but it still cuts best on the slower speed of a metal saw.

   There's also coldsaw cutting blades you can use on a table saw or chopsaw for steel.  If you are cutting a lot of brass with straight cuts you can't do better than a negative hook blade on your table saw or chop saw. I've cut miles of non-ferrous like this.

   A lot depends on what kinds of metals and the types of cuts. If you were more specific on the actual metals and types of cuts, straight versus curves, thickness of the metals I would make all kinds of different recommendations but I would personally never even consider a metal/wood cutting bandsaw for my work.  I don't have the time to spend cleaning up and changing blades between operations, especially since I use both machines for a few minutes at a time daily.

   Grizzly has been getting better over the years. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Grizzly machine. You can always return it for a modest restocking fee.

   
   

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   Edited 8/21/2007 9:31 am ET by RickL

1. 
   philip | Aug 22, 2007 10:40am | #3

   Rick,
   If I understood Mk correctly, he is saying that that Grizzly has electronic speed control so there is no time lost at all in changing speeds.
   Two machines would be nicer but there is not always the space-and sometimes the money even if it is a couple of hundred bucks or so.
   I do have two bandsaws-the big one is for wood only, but the smaller one does all things from wood to gauge plate, and I have found that a 10tpi x1/4 inch Starrett high carbon blade will do all, so I don't have the hassle of blade changing. I can be cutting 8mm gauge plate, then go straight onto wood (for plane handles for example): just change over from reduction box drive to the original bandsaw motor, and blow off the metal chips.I have rigged it so that 3 speeds will cope quite well with most things. The mid speed is good for brass.
   I also suppose that for the occasional home user who may need to cut all kinds of things that it makes sense to have one saw that can make a reasonable all round job on a wide range of materials.Philip Marcou

1. 
   RickL | Aug 22, 2007 04:28pm | #4

   As usual we all tend to base our answers on our own experiences.  I have no idea what MK considers metal cutting. For me it's all over the place from thin sheet metal, thick steel, brass, cast bronze and iron and obviously your cutting needs are different. Changing speeds isn't the big deal. Often I use an oil lube  for cutting ceertain metals and that really is a pain with wood. Perhaps his metal cutting needs are fairly simple than maybe it will work for him.

1. 
   mkm5551 | Aug 23, 2007 04:49pm | #5

   I appreciate the discussion, as it's similar to the one that's been going on in my head as I look at my options. Shop space, at least for now, is a big deal. As for my metal cutting needs, I have a metal chop saw and a scroll saw, so I mainly want the band saw to cut curves in heavier/denser plate and large diameter tubing for decorative accent work. The Grizzly does reportedly have a variable speed motor, so changing speeds shouldn't be a big deal. However, changing blades could prove a pain depending upon how easily it dials in.  I think more than anything I'm worried about the quality. As I understand it, Grizzly isn't a manufacturer but rather an importer, so I'm not sure exactly what to expect from this particular machine.  Thanks and please keep the info coming. 

1. 
   RickL | Aug 23, 2007 05:24pm | #6

   Grizzly is more than an importer. Machines are made to their specs much like Delta, Sunhill, etc. I've watching the quality improve over the years. I've heard more positive stuff over Grizzly in the last 5 years. We bought the better spindle sander and it's been quite good and I'm impressed with the quality. I've seen other professional shops with saws and other tools and am equally impressed. I don't pay much attention to these on line whiners about problems with tools. I've been buying , selling , rebuilding machines for many years and I know how to deal with any situation from warrrany repair to getting unavailable parts for out dated machines.

   The speed change isn't my issue. Going from cutting oily steel to wood is. Sure you can keep one blade on for both but it's a compromise on what you can cut for both wood and steel. You can get a horizontal/vertical metal saw that can stow under a bench for a few hundred dollars.

    

   It's good you clarified more what you plan to cut as metal is more varied than most people imagine. I would think you might be more interested in brass and decorative metals than steel!  If this is so than it's an easier task to cut. 

2. 
   Drew1house | Aug 24, 2007 01:06am | #7

   I have tools from Delta, Dewalt, Bosch, Sawstop, Powermatic, Porter Cable in my shop so I am no tool snob... However this past spring I decided to purchase from Grizzley for the very first time... I would have to say it was absolutley the single WORST customer service experience I have ever had and I am saying I would rather be overcharged by dish network, screwed by verizon and charged too much on taxes for my house and have to deal with each of those entities customer service departments over going with them again. I had to threaten to get our state attourney general involved (I know a deputy AG) and I told them I was going to pass out flyers at the AWFS show in Vegas before they kindly agreed that sending a machine with 2 left parts instead of one right and one left was not delivering a working tool. Just say no...Drew