Smallest Band Saw you recommend?

GrimmCustomCues

GrimmCustomCues

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I was just wondering what size band saw and brand you use. I tried a 9" and a 10" but I didn't have much luck with either (blades are too flimsy, adjustment seems to be almost impossible for perfect straight cuts, maybe because they're cheaper brands). I'm looking at a Jet or Grizzly 12" now, but I wanted to know if I needed a larger one for more consistent results. Just didn't want to break to the pocket book. Thanks for any info you can give me.

Richard
 
I like my little $100 9" hardware store specials. I use them for general non-critical cutting in the shop. But I also use one for cutting ring billet slot inserts. With correct blade & adjustment, you can get a very fine, straight cut with it.

Otherwise, go big. Bigger the better and don't use cheap blades. Learn how to tune & adjust it and learn how to operate it. You can't force material through. Bandsaws are awesome once you have it cutting good. But useless if it isn't tuned.
 
qbilder said:
I like my little $100 9" hardware store specials. I use them for general non-critical cutting in the shop. But I also use one for cutting ring billet slot inserts. With correct blade & adjustment, you can get a very fine, straight cut with it.

Otherwise, go big. Bigger the better and don't use cheap blades. Learn how to tune & adjust it and learn how to operate it. You can't force material through. Bandsaws are awesome once you have it cutting good. But useless if it isn't tuned.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I love the 10" for its size since my workshop is so tiny, it doesnt take up much room at all and I can move it out of the way when I'm not using it. I have it and some other machines attached to a 3/4" plywood base. I put it in position to use and use wood clamps to attach it to the bench, then put it back on the shelf when I'm done. Works great! Ill try to fine tune the 10" a little more, see if I can find a new blade for it.

Richard
 
If you do a search, there was a pretty good thread on bandsaws sometime during this past year or so. Dick Neighbors gave a lot of good info. At the time, I believe the consensus was that a 14" is about the minimum size for veneers, recuts, etc. And yes, correct setup, good quality blades, and good technique are all necessary and you can good results. The better quality bandsaw you start with the better too. Rikon, Laguna, and Grizzly are notable names. The Deltas - especially the newer ones with built in tension release - can be a good saw too.

The 12" saws mostly tend to be 3 wheel saws and getting the blade to track correctly can be difficult.

That said, I have a 14" Central Machinery (Taiwan knockoff of the Delta) that I have upgraded the table, blade guides, and blade (TimberWolf) and tuned up a lot. I also keep a small Delta 9-10" saw handy with a metal cutting blade mounted on it. Any metal work I do is pretty much with small sized pieces.

CraigsList can be a good source of bandsaws - most homeowners use them lightly, so a good one in near new condition can often be found for half (or less) the cost of a new one - you may have to wait and watch for a while, but they do show up.

My 2 cents,

Gary
 
Wouldn't go smaller than a 14.......but that's just me.
Find one with a 3/4 motor. I had a Taiwan 14 inch I paid less than 300 for I wish I had back. Sold it to upgrade to a Griz 16. The 14 ran twice as smooth as the 16 and I've tuned, tuned and retuned the 16. I could leave a piece of wood on the 14 table while it was running and it would stay there all day. No can do with the 16.
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
Wouldn't go smaller than a 14.......but that's just me.
Find one with a 3/4 motor. I had a Taiwan 14 inch I paid less than 300 for I wish I had back. Sold it to upgrade to a Griz 16. The 14 ran twice as smooth as the 16 and I've tuned, tuned and retuned the 16. I could leave a piece of wood on the 14 table while it was running and it would stay there all day. No can do with the 16.
Click to expand...

The Taiwan made knock-offs actually seem to be popular and 14" or larger seems to be the minimum to start with. I've seen a few of those on CL lately. For what they're selling for I dont think I can go wrong as long as I can get it setup correctly. If not, Ill sell it and upgrade when I have a little bit more money to spend. Dave did you do any specific upgrades to make it work better? I'm asking cause Gary said something about upgrading the table, blade guides and blade.

Richard
 
GrimmCustomCues said:
The Taiwan made knock-offs actually seem to be popular and 14" or larger seems to be the minimum to start with. I've seen a few of those on CL lately. For what they're selling for I dont think I can go wrong as long as I can get it setup correctly. If not, Ill sell it and upgrade when I have a little bit more money to spend. Dave did you do any specific upgrades to make it work better? I'm asking cause Gary said something about upgrading the table, blade guides and blade.

Richard
Click to expand...


Two things left I'm going to try when I get the time.....new urethane tires and a link belt on the motor. It has a nice cut but just has vibrations that I don't think should be there.
I like the timberwolf blades for the cut and longevity.
 
GrimmCustomCues said:
The Taiwan made knock-offs actually seem to be popular and 14" or larger seems to be the minimum to start with. I've seen a few of those on CL lately. For what they're selling for I dont think I can go wrong as long as I can get it setup correctly. If not, Ill sell it and upgrade when I have a little bit more money to spend. Dave did you do any specific upgrades to make it work better? I'm asking cause Gary said something about upgrading the table, blade guides and blade.

Richard
Click to expand...

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10164&filter=Bandsaw%20table

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=2383&rrt=1

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020051/4906/4-Foot-of-12-Link-Belt.aspx

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2000904/10027/Cool-Blocks-Bandsaw-Blade-Guide-Block-Size-12-x-12.aspx

http://www.woodcraft.com/Search2/Search.aspx?query=timberwolf&brand=Timber%20Wolf&page=2

The sweet part was that the saw came WITH the Rockler Table and the Mobile base - for $100. :) :thumbup: :dance:
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
Wouldn't go smaller than a 14.......but that's just me.
Find one with a 3/4 motor. I had a Taiwan 14 inch I paid less than 300 for I wish I had back. Sold it to upgrade to a Griz 16. The 14 ran twice as smooth as the 16 and I've tuned, tuned and retuned the 16. I could leave a piece of wood on the 14 table while it was running and it would stay there all day. No can do with the 16.
Click to expand...


I wasnt aware the 16 was still available. I got the 17 this winter and i have nothing bad to say about it. It took a bit of tuning. I can stand a nickle on the table on its edge and it will sit there all day. Of coarse thats on the back side of the fence where the wind from the blade cant knock it over. And when the leveling feet are lowered on the mobile base its even more steady. This is not a plug for grizzly or anything but it really is a remarkable saw for the money. It weighs about 400 lbs. and has computer balanced cast iron wheels.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Bandsaw-2HP-w-Cast-Iron-Trunnion/G0513X2
 
BarenbruggeCues said:
Two things left I'm going to try when I get the time.....new urethane tires and a link belt on the motor. It has a nice cut but just has vibrations that I don't think should be there.
I like the timberwolf blades for the cut and longevity.
Click to expand...

Could be the wheels are out of balance. Use copper wire around a spoke on the light side until it's balanced.
 
fugdbdt said:
I wasnt aware the 16 was still available. I got the 17 this winter and i have nothing bad to say about it. It took a bit of tuning. I can stand a nickle on the table on its edge and it will sit there all day. Of coarse thats on the back side of the fence where the wind from the blade cant knock it over. And when the leveling feet are lowered on the mobile base its even more steady. This is not a plug for grizzly or anything but it really is a remarkable saw for the money. It weighs about 400 lbs. and has computer balanced cast iron wheels.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Bandsaw-2HP-w-Cast-Iron-Trunnion/G0513X2
Click to expand...

That is a VERY nice saw!! And I can't believe the price on the G0555P!! 5 bills delivered!

Gary
 
fugdbdt said:
I wasnt aware the 16 was still available. I got the 17 this winter and i have nothing bad to say about it. It took a bit of tuning. I can stand a nickle on the table on its edge and it will sit there all day. Of coarse thats on the back side of the fence where the wind from the blade cant knock it over. And when the leveling feet are lowered on the mobile base its even more steady. This is not a plug for grizzly or anything but it really is a remarkable saw for the money. It weighs about 400 lbs. and has computer balanced cast iron wheels.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Bandsaw-2HP-w-Cast-Iron-Trunnion/G0513X2
Click to expand...


This could very well be why the 16 was changed to a 17.:wink:
 
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