Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on January 9, 2012 at 2:15pm

Phil, you'll just have to look at it with regard to the types of projects you want to take on and the capabilities you need. You can build a guitar without ever plugging in a power tool, but they save you a lot of time. I think Rockwell has a decent product, but it's not for me - just personal preference. I'm a bit of a tool junkie and have room for multiple tools, but I know others don't, so tools like the bladerunner have a real market. Just keep in mind that with the versatility you have other compromises.

Permalink Reply by William McCauley on January 10, 2012 at 5:00am

My experience with these "do it all" tools is that while they may do a lot of things, they don't do any of them really well. Having said that, I have never tried one of these tools. I understand that they are an upside down jig saw (one of the most worthless tools ever made) in a table, hung on the wall. To me that says that the tool has all of the faults of the jig saw. For $179 you can get a new or a  pretty nice used table top bandsaw from Craigslist.And you will probably be a lot happier. Go to Lowe's site and read the reviews on this tool ( there 22 of them).

Permalink Reply by Mike Whisenhunt on January 12, 2012 at 2:55am

I bought one a while back. I had a bandsaw that ran fine for about a month before the motor would spin the wheels well enough to cut through 1/2" pine! I took it back to Lowe's and picked up the Bladerunner. I had been eyeing it for a while and knew of the pros and cons. It is an upside down jigsaw, but in the end I decided it would do what I needed my bandsaw to do and give me a bit more flexibility and mobility around the shop. The blades that come with it are garbage, but outside of that it isn't too bad. It is compact and light weight and having the ability to adjust the blade speed helps a great deal when :scrolling". 

I say, if you're looking for this to replace your bandsaw it won't. If you're thinking of this as an alternative to a bandsaw, it isn't. But if you're limited on space and would like a saw that allows for more detailed cuts like a jigsaw while keeping your hands free then this is it.

In using it for a month, I have found only 3 drawbacks. The first, it is noisy as heck (what powered saw isn't). When you mount it to the wall, the vibrations alone would knock doodads off a shelf in the house. My recommendation: hang it on an exterior wall. The next is, although there is a foot beneath the blade, at times the stock has a tendency to "jump". This is usually a result of the speed it is set on and the speed the stock is being fed. Not a deal breaker in my opinion but something to learn. Lastly, because it is based off a jigsaw, the blade tends to meander through the wood and camber a bit. I noticed there is a set of guide wheels on the clamping foot to help with this but on a long straight cut it fails. That is where it will never take the place of a good bandsaw.

So, that's my piece. Not saying I'm for it, not saying I'm against it. Certainly not a salesperson for it. Just my experience with it. All in all, because I knew what to expect, I'm satisfied. Also, changing blades in 20 seconds is a plus with ANY  saw!

Permalink Reply by William McCauley on January 17, 2012 at 9:00am

Mike;

When your band saw blade wouldn't cut, did you check it's  tension? If the blade gets loose or sloppy it will slip on the wheels and not cut or  "track" straight. If blade change speed is a factor, I can change the 93" blade on my band saw in less than  five minutes, and that includes a quick tune up (set tension, adjust the cool blocks and vacuum up the sawdust). 

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on January 12, 2012 at 4:41am

Thanks for the feedback.  Seeing some aweful good reviews on a Powertec 9" bandsaw for around $123 at sears....folks seem to like them a whole lot better than others in it's price range.  Saw a Bladerunner on Craigslist...guy bought it in December, selling it for $100 in January.  Seems like all inexpensive saws need better blades, regardless of type.

Permalink Reply by William McCauley on January 12, 2012 at 5:39am

Be sure that that band saw has an easily available blade length. If your saw has an odd length blade it can be an expensive pain to get a replacement.

PhilUSAFRet said:

Thanks for the feedback.  Seeing some aweful good reviews on a Powertec 9" bandsaw for around $123 at sears....folks seem to like them a whole lot better than others in it's price range.  Saw a Bladerunner on Craigslist...guy bought it in December, selling it for $100 in January.  Seems like all inexpensive saws need better blades, regardless of type.

Permalink Reply by Mike Whisenhunt on January 17, 2012 at 8:17am

Oh yea, and you might want to make sure that the band saw has 2 wheels. I know harbor freight has one that's priced well, but only has a top wheel.