Replies

1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 24, 2004 03:43am | #1

   TFrog,

   I don't know the model number of my Inca bandsaw, but if you have a chance to get one at a reasonable price grab it quick. They're no longer being sold in the U.S. as far as I know. I love my 20-inch three-wheel and reckon a used one in good condition could easily fetch over $800. I don't own the 10-inch, but a good friend (and expert woodworker) has one, loves it, and exclaims $500 would be a bargain.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

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

2. 
   UnisawA100 | Apr 24, 2004 05:16am | #2

   Ditto what jazzdog said.  I watch them on eBay and they usually fetch top dollar for the ten inch.  Luthiers seem to like them making me ponder if they aren't good re-saws.

   By the way, anyone out there with a 10 inch Inca?  I have a chance to buy one but the bearing behind the blade (on the blade guide) needs replacing.  Is this bearing proprietary or can a local bearing house cross reference it to something easily available?

   Thanks in advance.

   Keith Bohn

1. 
   301 | Apr 24, 2004 06:42am | #3

   It is my experience that all bearings can be had at just about any good "bearing house".  (In fact I have never seen a proprietary bearing in any application.)  These places are usually good for more parts then you realize; bushings, belts, bolts...you name it.  It depends on whether they have a man at their City Counter who will take the time to look through some catalogs and help you out.  And here is a hint: be patient, don't take too much of their time and thank them profusely when you are finished.  They scramble hard for a living like the rest of us but will usually go out of their way to help you if you can treat them with respect.

1. 
   UnisawA100 | Apr 25, 2004 04:29pm | #4

   El Papa,

   Thanks for the reply.  I suspected as much with the bearings.  Now I need to get off my dead *ss and buy the Inca before it "falls into the wrong hands".

   As for the other things available at the bearing suppliers, we have Bearings, Inc. (largeish national chain) here locally and they are quite good.  The last time I was in there I had to wipe my chin a couple of times after eye balling the bearing pullers on the wall behind the sales counter.  As for being nice to counter clerks, I'm in sWisconsin and we pretty much have it pretty good here as people don't need quite the priming required elsewhere, i.e., you usually find people (counter clerks) to be nice from the git-go.

   Keith Bohn

3. 
   timberrattler | Apr 26, 2004 03:05am | #5

   I bought a Incra benchtop bandsaw from Garrett Wade about 2.5 yre ago, and could not be more unhappy with it. The only model # I can find on it says Euro 260 maybe I got a lemon and it is only a hobby model but i would be careful $300 seems high for that machine.  If anyone could tell me what I bought I would appreciate it.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 26, 2004 05:06am | #6

   Circle Kid,

   What kinds of problems, or disappointments, have you experienced? Can you be more specific? What size is your machine (the distance from the blade to the support column)?

   -Jazzdogg-

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

   Edited 4/25/2004 10:07 pm ET by jazzdogg

1. 
   UnisawA100 | Apr 26, 2004 05:32am | #7

   Jazz Dogg,

   The Euro 205 was an 8" saw with a 5 1/2" resaw capacity and was driven by a direct drive 1/3 horse motor.  Garrett Wade sold it around the turn of the century.  According to the ad copy GW claimed it was "a smaller version of the 340".

   Keith Bohn

1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 26, 2004 08:09am | #8

   Unisaw,

   Thanks for the update; haven't seen or used that saw. Needless to say, I remain very curious about the specific challenges he has experienced since my experiences with the 20" Inca have been so incredibly positive.

   With a little more information, maybe we can help the fellow attain satisfaction.

   Metaphors be with you,-Jazzdogg-

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

4. 
   PhillipB | Apr 26, 2004 06:51pm | #9

   Gentlemen:

   I have owned an INCA 710 for about ten years and could not be happier. I hemmed and hawed about buying a 'floor model' of some other brand but chose the INCA 'bench top' style instead because the 3-wheel configuration allowed a 20 inch throat in a compact design.

   To make a long story short, once the basic setup is done you're in business - almost. We should all recognize that no machine can read our mind so they can only perform in concert with our skill level. That having been said, I used to feel that I had made a wrong choice in the purchase of this band saw even after reading everything I could on the subject. My re-sawing was less that I expected from the quality of this machine. I was buying blades from several sources only to be disappointed time and again. Then I finally decided to spend the $30 for the Wood Slicer from Highland Hardware in Atlanta. I was totally and completely amazed at the performance of this blade. And no, I have no financial interest in Highland Hardware whatsoever. So when the band saw blade test article was run in FWW #169 I just thought to myself that it was about time someone told the woodworking community about these blades. They have to be used to be appreciated. I own 11 of them and yeah, they do wear out and I do have some of those also. Because of their cost I have attempted to re-sharpen them but that's another story.

   About the bearings. What I have found is that they must be lubricated often especially the thrust bearings. They will seize up but they can be saved with proper lubrication on a regular basis. I am still using the original bearings and they work fine. I can not say for certain how much I use my INCA, but hardly a week goes by that it is not used.

   Shortcomings. The casting which holds the guide bearings is very, very poor in quality. I was expecting a quality machined bearing holder with threaded lateral adjustments. It has neither, so you have to twist and turn while pulling or pushing to move the bearings in or out. I have never been happy about this. I spoke to someone at Iturra a few years back to see if they had a replacement for this. They did not. Perhaps they do now.

   Bottom Line. It matters not how well you set your band saw up if you do not use the best blade available because the blade is what re-sawing is ALL about. Period. I can re-saw 8 1/4 inch oak, rock maple, whatever and slice as thin as I want so long as the blade is fresh, the work piece is properly supported, and you don't try to force the cut. Which takes us right back to our personal experience and skill level both of which can be gained and developed in time.

   Final Note. I feel very lucky that I did not try to solve my re-saw problems by switching to another make of band saw. This would have been much more expensive than $30 band saw blades.

   My 2 cents. Hope it helps.

   Phillip