Replies

1. 
   alpha | Jul 24, 2004 07:59pm | #1

   Email [email protected] and ask for copy of article "Steel-frame Band Saws". It is a good discussion of this exact subject. I just ordered a steel frame saw based on this info.

1. 
   sawduster | Jul 25, 2004 06:43am | #2

   If you are looking at good steel frame bandsaws, FWW had an article on 18" ( I think) saws.  The Bridgwood, Laguna, and Rickon (?sp) rated well, and in the 16 and 20 inch you really have to look at the Mini-Max.  All these saws have more HP than the Jet or Delta and little or no frame flex.

1. 
   alpha | Jul 26, 2004 01:16am | #3

   The tape I received from Laguna was impressive. It may just be their presentation but the guide looked like the best idea. I'll take a good look at MM. I plan to buy soon.

2. 
   Mackwood | Jul 26, 2004 06:28pm | #4

   Doc,

   I recently purchased a MM 16.  It is extremely well made and very rigid.  It runs all the blades (5) I currently have very smoothly with virtually no vibration at all.

   What impresses me most about this unit is the design for the "long haul".  There are provisions for adjustment at every conceivable point of wear.  

   This is the first time I've bought a tool of this quality new and I'm definately not disappointed.

   Good luck with your selection!

   Regards,

   Mack  

   "WISH IN ONE HAND, #### IN THE OTHER AND SEE WHICH FILLS UP FIRST"

3. 
   mgumaer | Jul 26, 2004 10:01pm | #5

   Doc,

   I bought the Jet 18" with the European guides not because it was the greatest saw in the world but because it was a floor model and I got a good deal on it (it ended up about the price of a Delta 14").

   Everything about it has worked fine so far. The only thing that has annoyed me thus far is the difficultly of getting at the lower guides to adjust them. I have used a less than ideal blade for a cut on many occasions because I did not want to deal with the hassle of adjusting the lower guides.

   I'm not sure what your intended work load is but, I would suspect that whatever saw you pick will work out well. If I was to buy again, I might consider the Bridgewood but would probably still end up with the Jet for the difference in price.

   While cast iron is probably better in theory for dampening vibration, I haven't noticed any significant vibration while using my machine.

   Matt

1. 
   Doc | Jul 27, 2004 04:26am | #6

   I guess my biggest conflicts are price and versatility.  I can't spend $2000 on a bandsaw, and I don't do enough to justify that price even if I could afford it.  I would like the ability to do some resawing, and roughing out small (maybe 8 inch) burls for turning.  I am a weekend warrior that loves to make sawdust and create things for my own satisfaction.  I'm not doing any work for anyone else.  I'm looking for a saw I can do normal cutting with, as well as some resawing with.  I would like that versatility at an affordable price.  I'm not worried about it being the best machine because it won't be humming 4 hours a day.  It will get minimal usage.  For example, there are always people cutting up apple trees and other unique species in my neighborhood.  I'd like to salvage some of the chunks and cut it into slabs for some small and fun project in the future.  I would also like to be able to resaw enough to book match items.  I guess I've been leaning towards the Jet 16", but any more thoughts are welcome.  Thanks to everyone that have posted. 

1. 
   bones | Jul 27, 2004 05:15am | #7

   Well I'll chime in with my two cent's worth.  I ran a similar post several months back and considered all the options. I looked at the minimax, laguna (used and new), Jet, Delta and others. I finally decided to take a chance on the Grizzly G0513 17" hd bs. It's 2hp and 220v. It was $750 + $78.00 (if mem serves me well) shipping. I paired that with a timber Wolfe resaw blade ( a good blade does make a difference), and it's been fantastic. The saw arrived in excellent shape (I posted plenty of pics). The table was flat and cut's consistent veneers and I have done no adjusting since it's arrival. It is a very solid machine.  I will state that I am a hobbyist and have not run the thing 8hrs a day 5 days a week, but it is dead on. With the money I saved on that tool, I plan on getting a good table saw. It will probably be a Grizzly too. If money is no object then the Laguna is definitely the top of the line, but for me the grizzly more than adequately does the job. 

2. 
   mgumaer | Jul 27, 2004 06:03pm | #8

   Doc,

   It sounds like we are probably about the same from a woodworking usage perspective. I got my band saw for some resawing of slats and small panels (couldn't bear the thought of planing 4/4 wood in half to make them) and anticipating a lathe purchase (which has since happened).

   I think you would be happy with the Jet. As I said, the only thing I would like to see different is a more convenient way to adjust the lower guides. The Delta equivalent 18" saw came out after I purchased my Jet but, to my eye, they look about the same (I sure others will disagree) as far as general construction.

   If I were in your shoes and had the chance, I would go through the blade changing process on the saws you are considering as I suspect that the user friendliness of adjustment will be a big factor distinguishing the saws (I know I sound like a broken record on this issue).

   Whichever way you go, I would purchase some decent blades at the same time as the saw even if the saw comes with some in the box. I bought a Wood Slicer resawing blade from Highland Hardware and it works great. I can't speak to its durability versus other blades because I don't resaw enough but it has done a great job with what I have thrown at it so far.

   A bandsaw is a great tool to have. There have been many cuts I have made that would have been very difficult to impossible on a table saw and a whole bunch more that seem far safer to me on the band saw versus table saw.

   Matt