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What do you look for in a band saw?

Posted by Dan Sleep on June 8, 2014 at 7:53am in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

My faithful Craftsman 10" band saw is close to giving up the ghost, so I may be in the market for a new one soon. Other than the size of the throat, what features do you look for? I know I am all in favor of an easier way to adjust the blade guides.

I like to have one saw set up for wood and another one set up for light gauge metal.

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Replies

  • John McNair June 10, 2014 at 5:35pm

    A good sense of humor and is "there for me" when I am in need

  • Dan Sleep June 10, 2014 at 3:44pm

    I am sniffing around this one:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/G0580-14-Bandsaw-3-4-HP-Grizzly-Industrial-...

    Any idea how much performance difference there would be between the 3/4hp and the 1hp model?

    • ChickenboneJohn > Dan Sleep June 10, 2014 at 5:02pm

      My Record 12" is a 1HP...and it's OK, but I would prefer a bit more power. It's fine ripping 3" black walnut, but for working 4" oak and stuff like that, you need a brand new good quality blade to cope with it efficiently. If you are cutting softer thinner timber, I'm sure it will be fine, but don't confuse the thickness of timber they claim you can get under the guides with what it will actually cope with cutting.

      • David McQueen > ChickenboneJohn June 10, 2014 at 5:19pm
        Sounds like you need a horizontal bandsaw re-saw mill. My chum up north has one. That is where I got my black ash, paper birch and tamarack. I really really felt spoiled.
  • David McQueen June 10, 2014 at 10:51am
    If you want to do some more drooling, take a look at Busy Bee Tools. they are Canadian, but ship to the states.

    http://www.busybeetools.com/
    • Dan Sleep > David McQueen June 10, 2014 at 11:35am

      Nice stuff!

  • Dan Sleep June 10, 2014 at 10:23am

    I was looking at a Grizzly. They are a bit pricy, but the biggest drawback is that they ship freight, and I would have to make arrangements to be home when they deliver. They say you need to live where they can get a semi truck into, which I do not. If I were to go that route, I would have to find out where their shipping depot is and go pick it up. If they DID deliver to my house, I have to have sufficient helpers on hand to get the box off the truck, the drivers will not assist at all.

    I like the fact that the Grizzly has the adjustment knobs for the blade guides instead of allen screws.

    Still researching...

  • Dan Sleep June 9, 2014 at 9:33pm

    Thanks for all the feedback. I have been using the table saw for when I need to resaw lumber, but I would really like to use the band saw for that. I have just had so much trouble getting it to track straight and true. I know it has a lot to do with the setup of the blade, and I have read countless articles and watched several videos on how to get the blade on square. It is better than it was, but I guess I need to work on my technique some more.

    I agree on not getting a three wheel model, I had one before and it gave me fits.

    I do a lot of neck work with the band saw, and I really would appreciate the deeper throat of a 14 inch over the 9 inch I have now. (That really sounded smutty, didn't it?)

    I think no matter how I cut it (pun intended) I am going to end up spending close to 400 bucks on one. If I get one with a stand, I won't have to tie up workbench space any more.

    • ChickenboneJohn > Dan Sleep June 10, 2014 at 1:59am

      I reckon $400 is the least you need to budget for if you want a serious machine. By serious machine I mean 12-14" throat, cast iron table, decent induction motor. You won't get a bench mount machine like that, it will be stand mounted or frestanding..and it's going to weight 150-200 lbs. It looks like prices in the USA are lower than Europe for similar gear, but consider a lightly-used one...you'll get a lot more for your money.

      • David McQueen > ChickenboneJohn June 10, 2014 at 7:53am
        Actually, good quality, heavy duty tools, don't really wear out and if they do, the major manufacturers do have replacement parts and there arelocal tool repair services. Check out your local yard sales and Kijiji listings. There are some good deals, especially if you have done your homework and know what you want and what it is worth new.
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