Replies

1. 
   Buglehead | Oct 06, 2003 05:50am | #1

   I did the same installation on my S45 a few years back, and it was easy.  I thought the instructions were decent, but it was a while ago.  They are much better than the factory ones.  Only thing I did not like was the lower guides were difficult to adjust due to crowding.  Great saw, sold it to a friend during my shopless years.  Just moving into new shop, not ready for a bandsaw yet, still getting the basics sorted out.  Dust collection and a planer are the first buys to make.

   Bill

1. 
   gpwest | Oct 08, 2003 07:20am | #2

   DaveB & Buglehead,

      No comment from here on the guides installation, but a question on your experience with the S45. (I didn't realize that model had been around for so long.) Someday I hope to upgrade to a steel frame bandsaw,, and the S45 is on my list. I recently sent off for a brochure and promotional video from MiniMax, and one thing I noticed was the distance that the lower guide is from the bottom of the table: looks like at least 5 to 6".  Isn't that quite a long ways to expect any efficient support from the lower guide?  

    Any other problems with this saw that you have experienced?  It seems like a pretty good saw for the price.  Thanks for any additional info on this saw.    GP

     

    Tha

1. 
   DaveBarker | Oct 08, 2003 04:16pm | #3

   Buglehead,

   I bought the S45 about 15 years ago. At the time, it was the best-going bandsaw for the money. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great saw and maybe the smoothest running 18inch saw around. Recently I looked at the Jet 18 inch saw at the local Woodcraft store and this is what I like about the Jet compared to the S45:

   tension adjustment wheel on bottom side of top wheel housing

   rack and pinion height adjustment

   better factory guides

   The top guide on the S45 is okay, but the bottom guide is a joke which is why I finally bought the Carter guides. The only thing with the Carter guides is the bottom backup wheel is several inches below the table but so far it seems to work fine.

1. 
   Buglehead | Oct 09, 2003 06:58am | #4

   Hi again,

   Yes, the S45 is one smooth saw, and yes, the lower guides are a few inches below the table.  A couple of points on the Jet 18" saw I'd like to mention:  The lower guides are difficult to access, like the S45.  The guidepost is about as stiff as a wet noodle, and on the one I was tuning last Monday, the guidepost was also way out of parallel with a center-tracked 1/4" blade.  The upper housing that holds the post is very flexible, little more than unboxed sheet steel.  The S45 is a whole lot stiffer.  I had a look at my old saw at my friend's shop who bought it from me, and SCMI has welded a brace that stiffens the guidepost support area.  The Jet has none of this, and I would not ever buy a new one.  This is despite the fact that there is a lot about the saw that I do like.  But a machine that needs major reengineering just to work acceptably is not worth what they cost.  Another point on the Jet is that the trunnions are tiny, and aluminum.  The S45 and the old Rockwell both have nice iron ones.  I thought the Jet was remarkably free of noise and vibration while running, and wish they would fix the frame and trunnions. 

   I am going to look at Laguna.  We have a few of these at school, and they are rock solid.  Our old 14" Rockwell is like a rock compared to the 18" Jet, when you grab the guidepost and try to move it.

   There are good and bad saws in both iron and welded steel.  I could build a plywood saw with a guidepost stiffer than that Jet, but prefer to get one already made.

   Bill