Replies

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 19, 2005 08:53am | #1

   Did you get your bandsaw dialed in? How is it cutting?

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
1. 
   DavidxDoud | Feb 19, 2005 04:53pm | #2

   Did you get your bandsaw dialed in? How is it cutting?

   I've worked with it - it has done all that I've asked of it - - haven't tried slicing veneer of any width yet,  but I expect with an auxillary fence it will do the job - - if the job is too big,  I've got the Wood-mizer ;>)

   Timberwolf blades made a tremendous difference,  of course...

   to be clear,  it is adequate in all respects that I have dealt with,  but after having some experience with good old american steel,  well...I feel very slightly dirty...

    

    "there's enough for everyone"

2. 
   DavidxDoud | Mar 12, 2005 06:35am | #26

   highfigh - been meaning to ask if your moniker (highfigh) relates to an audio enthusiasm on your part - - home?  car?  maybe something else entirely? -

   regards

    "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   highfigh | Mar 12, 2005 01:55pm | #27

   A friend gave me the nickname not long after getting into the business(and by business, I do mean the industry). We worked in a bar and when it was time for some moron to start trouble, it was a lot faster calling out short names than full names for everyone who was needed. HiFi was taken when I needed a screen name, so.....I got into home, then 12V a long time ago, with a couple of side roads since then, now I work for a custom home automation/home theatre/distributed audio-video dealer/contractor.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Mar 12, 2005 09:33pm | #28

   I 'see'... - I've always had a weak spot for audio - - but arrested development for 1970's technology - got a rack of black Sansui (BA-F1 and associated components) playing thru Klipshorn knock-offs that I built - - still play vinyl on occassion - have not run the wires from the computer to the pre-amp yet - one of these days -

   regards -

    "there's enough for everyone"

2. 
   forestgirl | Feb 19, 2005 08:41pm | #3

   [PS:  David, I'm not meaning to jump on ya here, just pointing out the alternatives <g>]

   I have the "Z" version of the 1019, which includes a 1HP motor.  If I were really strapped for money, and saw no improvement ahead, the 1019 would be an OK solution to "the bandsaw problem" but the new G0555 is a much, much better buy at $425.  Even more salient is the fact that they now offer a 3/4HP version of the G0555 (G0580) for only $325.  For the additional $40, you'd get a quick blade release, quality fence and roller-bearing guides.

   The fact that they have run out of the Z version, and still have a bunch of 1019's left after all this time is a clue.  For resawing, I'm not sure that 3/4HP motor is going to be satisfactory.  Speaking of resawing, if anyone's thinking about getting this saw because of the sale price, ask first about the riser kit.  They were almost out of them last year when I ordered mine for the 1019Z.  Links follow:

   1019
   G0555
   G0580

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 
   

   
   

   ---

   Edited 2/19/2005 12:43 pm ET by forestgirl

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 19, 2005 09:09pm | #4

   I think the 3/4 HP motor would be OK for softer woods when resawing or hardwoods at a reduced feed rate. Ya know, someone could make a killing by repainting Grizzly riser blocks to match the other brands. Delta sells theirs for $149.00 Kidding, kidding.Also, the tension release being included is a great deal since Jet has a 14" BS that doesn't come with it and the price for the release is $145.00 I know some people aren't too geeked on the fence, but mine works fine for a lot of cuts. I have resawn a few times when I cut some 6" white oak, I got it down to about 1/16". I paused and it wavered, so it went down to about 1/32" but didn't blow out. I just didn't force it and used consistent pressure. I'll be making an auxiliary table, but that would be necessary for any of the 14" saws.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   DavidxDoud | Feb 20, 2005 03:40am | #5

   ...not meaning to jump on ya here, just pointing out the alternatives...

   no problemo,  FG - - good points you make - -

    25 years ago my best friend and I got into homebuilding/woodworking at the same time and setting up shop,  Don bought a full tilt Rockwell 14",  I bought a $1340 table saw - - it was interesting observing the work each of us did and how the tools we selected influenced it - - I always said I wanted a bandsaw like Don's to do the things that a bandsaw does,  but I never 'needed' it $1000 worth...finally,  I sold out for $500...

   and it's been handy,  no doubt about it - I've been doing some furniture repair and what-not and it has capabilities to make the jobs easier/faster...

   and I don't want to denigrate the machine,  but I see where the compromises were made to get the price - the trunnion base is cast out of AL/pot metal and a weak point - the upper wheel hinge (tension mechanism) is of the same metal and there is .030+" slop between the upper wheel bracket and the machining in the upper frame arm,  making aligning of the upper an lower wheels rather amorphous,  the bearings in the guide system have a lot of slop in them...a bit of hubris to call it the 'Ultimate'....

   but it has done what I've asked of it,  likely it will continue to do so,  and I've got it,  instead of wishing I had one....

   play safe,  regards,  DOUD

    

    "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 20, 2005 03:59am | #6

   Hi David, I'm headed up to Bellingham on Tuesday to help a friend spend a big wad o' money.  I'm going to take your post with me, take a look and chat up the guys at the showroom.

   Yep, given a big budget, I'd choose something else, but alas....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   highfigh | Feb 20, 2005 07:31pm | #7

   So, he bought his "full tilt" Rockwell BS 25 years ago for how much? I don't think I would even bother to compare the two. 25 years ago, there weren't as many companies competing for our money. I suspect that the wheels and most, if not all, components were cast iron too. What about the rate of inflation? If his was $500 back then, how much is it in today's dollars?It would be nice to have one of those, though. Personally, if I could have found a nice used one, I would have gone that way. I had been looking for over a year and the ones I saw were too big or too expensive. One that I found was almost 10' tall, the blades were about 20' long and had a 3 phase motor. That thing was huge, but was more than I needed. Everything else was $1000, in a complete group the seller didn't want to break up or gone by the time I called. Bummer.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   DavidxDoud | Feb 20, 2005 11:14pm | #8

   ..."full tilt" Rockwell BS 25 years ago for how much?...

   I'm thinking it was about $700 by the time it was setting in his shop - -

    I've been ebaying,  collecting issues of FWW and FHB that I've lost over the years - I was looking thru a couple of 1985 FWW last night,  and I'd judge the machine tool prices are higher (in simple dollars,  not adjusted for inflation) than now...the Chinese factor...

   and I don't know that Don's Rockwell is really any better quality than the 0555 - I've never had it apart to inspect the trunnion base or tension mechanism or used it enough to recognize its shortcomings  - - it is,  after all,  not an 'industrial' tool...(altho I don't think it was ever marketed as the 'Ultimate'...)

   I've watched used stuff on and off over the years - never found the 'killer' deal on the small bandsaw,  they are just too useful and desired - - I've got my eye on a big Crescent,  and a fine heavy duty machine it is,  but for general shop use,  the 14" is a better machine...

   dunno,  it's hard to stay focused on being a woodworker and not a tool collector - for me,  the return on investment of purchasing a small bandsaw is marginal -

   I can't remember when a tool purchase left me feeling more ambilvelant - - I just feel unpatriotic - -

    my girls were home from college yesterday/today,  we went clothes shopping for the oldest who has graduate school interviews starting next week (business casual has never been her style) - - man,  it's all from China - whadda we doing to ourselves? - - I've got a friend who is negotiating buying a bunch of minature guitars with a asian wholesaler,  I was shocked how cheap they are - the macro-economic effect of importing containers full of chinese whatever and exporting containers full of dollar bills worries me - and here I am supporting it...

   dunno,  maybe just the Febuary funk...

    

    "there's enough for everyone"

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 21, 2005 02:32am | #9

   Thanks to China being granted Favored Nation status, their 1B+ population is able to make whatever they're asked. The only reason they can make them so cheaply is that the government has controlled everyting for so long. Still a lot of people living poorly there, though.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   MarkRD | Mar 09, 2005 09:51pm | #11

   Yes I would agree. Tool prices have remained flat or decreased in relative price...IN a Oct 1997 issue of FWW. International Tool has a Makita 7.25" circular saw for $119. Go to their web site today (almost 8 years later) it's $129. That's an 8% price increase when inflation should have driven it up by about 18% (http://inflationdata.com/inflation/Inflation_Rate/InflationCalculator.asp)Yippie for us, I think.Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

3. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 09, 2005 07:37pm | #10

   ForestGirl,

     I wish I had seen this post prior to purchasing the G1019.  Oh well, live and learn. I do want a new fence for this one and I am very concerned with teh riser block issue.  I would've imagined that the riser block for the others G0555, etc would fit the G1019. Maybe not.Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 09, 2005 10:52pm | #12

   Buzz, they should have the 1019 risers in stock.  No?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 09, 2005 11:03pm | #13

   I just checked and they do.  I'm going to get one ordered quickly like. Do you know if I can buy the other fence from Grizzly or will it not fit?Regards,

   Buzzsaw

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 10, 2005 07:00pm | #14

   Hi Buzz, you should ask them about the fence.  It'd be too risky to guess, even though I have a 1019Z (already learned the risers don't cross over from the Z and the 1019) and my friend has a G0555.

   If you're not in a big hurry, I can dig up plans for a shop-built fence.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 10, 2005 07:35pm | #15

   Sure, I would welcome the shop-built fence info.  I went to Rockler last night and they said that the Delta fence could be used on my Grizzly but I would have to tap into the side of my table.  Olebiker has suggested a fence from Prairie River Woodworking: http://www.prairieriverwoodworking.com/searchresults.asp?search=fence&Submit=GoRegards,

   Buzzsaw

3. 
   forestgirl | Mar 10, 2005 08:49pm | #16

   Looks like a good option.  Give me until next week to get the fence info to you.  Have to dig it up, and I'm occupied with a "cleaning out the storage unit" project over the next 4 or 5 days!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

4. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 10, 2005 08:53pm | #17

   Thanks Jamie.  A little 'thoughts of Spring' cleaning? We had a snow storm yesterday and another coming in for the weekend.  But we are hearty folks in New England...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

5. 
   forestgirl | Mar 10, 2005 08:59pm | #18

   Partly spring, but mostly that a smaller unit finally came available.  We've had old inventory and "stuff" sitting in this unit, costing us money, for years.  Cutting it down to <50%!  That's progress!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

6. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 11, 2005 05:27pm | #19

   Jamie,

     Do you think it makes sense to order the riser block now for the G1019 while they have them?  I don't think I am going to install it yet but I'm concerned that they may run out of them. Regards,

   Buzzsaw

7. 
   forestgirl | Mar 11, 2005 08:34pm | #20

   Absolutely!  And you should install it right away.  Otherwise, you'll keep putting it off because you'll have to toss some blades when you upgrade.  Have you already put your saw together??  If not, wait until the riser block comes and put it in during installation.

   I put off buying mine, and have always kicked myself for that.  Wasn't a smart move.  Finally got it installed a few months ago.

   If you decide to ignore my advice, though, LMK -- I have a couple of Timberwolf blades I'll sell you at a great price!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

8. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 11, 2005 08:40pm | #21

   Actually ForestGirl,

     I just went out and bought 2 All Pro 93 1/2" blades not even thinking that adding the riser block will result in a longer blade.  Oh well, I didn't break the bank and I hate to even admit that.  I think I'll put in the order right now for the riser block kit.  Was it difficult to install?

    

    Regards,

   Buzzsaw

9. 
   forestgirl | Mar 11, 2005 09:17pm | #22

   "Was it difficult to install?"  Hmmmm, wasn't super-easy for sure.  Definitely a 2-person job (please don't try to do it by yourself!)  It involves tapping out a couple of alignment pins that are put in at an angle.  Remove the top section, and put in the riser, replace the top.  Everything's very tippy, which is why you want to have help, plus it's much easier to get micro-movements to align things when you have two.  The hardest part, believe it or not, was getting the nut undone -- there's very little room in there.  I found a weird wrench in my step-son's tool box that worked perfectly.

   Several folks here have recommended sanding the mating surfaces free of paint before joining everything.  Unfortunately, those posts came after I installed mine.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

10. 
    Buzzsaw | Mar 11, 2005 09:29pm | #24

    Thanks for the info.  I think what I will do is keep the riser kit until I have used the saw a bit and until I see an immediate need for the kit. I just want to have it so they don't run out of them.  Thanks for the help.Regards,

    Buzzsaw

11. 
    forestgirl | Mar 11, 2005 09:18pm | #23

    PS:  I'm sure they'd exchange them for you.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

12. 
    Olebiker | Mar 12, 2005 05:46am | #25

    Buzz,

    I ordered the riser kit last week and it was on the front porch when I got home yesterday.  I guess I have reached a milestone in my life.  My wife of 34 years did not even ask what it was.

    I would go ahead and get it right away.

    Dick DurbinTallahassee

13. 
    Buzzsaw | Mar 13, 2005 01:21am | #29

    Dick,

      I ordered it yesterday. Should arrive soon.  BTW, after all your help I ended up ordering the back issue.  It was really frustrating not being able to see the pictures.  SOrry to put you through all that work...

     Regards,

    Buzzsaw