Replies

1. 
   BobH | Jul 14, 2002 10:01pm | #1

   Reguarding a bandsaw:

   Go for one of the 14" machines if it fits in your budget. The Jet and Delta machines are the better machines. Recommunced HP is 1, the 3/4 HP ones seem to be a little underpowered.

   If you want a smaller machine (less expensive), stay away from the 12" machines. If you notice, they usually have small 1/4" round guides. They seemed to have skimped on things that they souldn't have going to 12" wheels.

   I have a Delta 10" -- around $300. It will resaw up to 7.5", and so far has not been under-powered for me. Its the only "under 14 inch" machine that I would consider.

   Good luck with your desicion.

   Bob H.

2. 
   DaveHeinlein | Jul 15, 2002 12:06am | #2

   My favorite mid-range($$$&quality) band saw is the General, or US made Powermatic(if you can find one). They cost a bit more than Delta's and imports, but you asked about stepping up into mid-range, and that means you will pay more. Another route to go is used. You can find some great used machines(even Delta was good before the 70's) for good prices. A couple years ago I bought a 32"Crescent saw in good working order for $250. Sometimes you get lucky.

1. 
   BG | Jul 15, 2002 12:40am | #3

   Hey Mike,

   I've been looking for a few months now and haven't come to any conclusions.  I do want to buy off the floor from someone who will support the inevitable problems.  Unless you go to higher quality machinery, it seems to me the used route is too risky...and to know higher quality it'll take more education. 

3. 
   forestgirl | Jul 15, 2002 07:40am | #4

   Mike, doesn't look like anyone's addressed the planer question.  I've been using my new Delta 12.5" for about a month now, and love it.  the finish is excellent, and as long as I feed properly, there is no noticeable snipe.  Due to budget restrictions, I got the single speed, but for a couple more hundred bucks, you can get the 2-speed 13" Delta, which will give better results in figured woods such as bird's-eye maple.

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

1. 
   millikm1 | Jul 15, 2002 09:16pm | #5

   On the planer, I've been looking at the Jet JPM-13CS Planer/Molder on Amazon.com. I have about 4 tonnes of oak and cypress unfinished that my wife's grandpa cut up 40 years ago and I am the first one in the family who has shown an interest. Point is that I will be planing a LOT of wood. I read the reviews/comments on Amazon for the machines and they have good ratings but I am a little leary of machines that are "multipurpose". That seems to often to mean not quite as good at either task as a stand alone machine. In any case I tend to like hard wood (right now purple heart). and my little off brand planer has a hard time with wide hard boards. I am thinking the 1.5HP motor should do the trick. See attached link.

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/hi/B00002265M/qid=1026756098/br=1-5/ref=br_lf_hi_5/104-0551510-6376727

   On the bandsaw, I reread the Fine woodworking review a couple of months ago on 14 inch bandsaws and for the price the JET seems to be the winner. I will probably get the riser block as well. I also have a Jet 10 inch contractors saw and a Jet 6 inch Jointer. Both have worked very well. I didn't intend to end up with a shop full of JET tools but it sure is looking like I'll be going that way. I was very close to going with a 16 inch bandsaw (Laguna maybe) until I reread the FWW article. Now I think based on the amount of use I actually get out of my current bandsaw that it is just too much money (+400 Bucks) to buy a bigger bandsaw. See attached link below:

   http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/hi/B00004YKCW/104-0551510-6376727

   Anyway Thanks for your comments folks and I appreciate any other comments about this topic.