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32K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  RvK 
#1 ·
New 14" bandsaw in my future?

So one of the big items on my OMG DO WANT list for a while has been a 14" bandsaw (I currently have a 10" Ace benchtop that I got free and that has been a pretty solid performer, but really I need something beefier and bigger.) Considering my budget and the fact there really are other things I do need more, I put it on the back burner for the near future.

THEN I see the latest HF add, their 14" is on sale for $299, plus one of my stack of 20% coupons would bring it down to $239…which is doable….ooooooo…..

Then figure in the upgrades everyone seems to recomend for it…Timberwolf blade, urethane tires, brush, link belt, cool blocks, that'll bring the total to just shy of $400, which is still less than the grizzly I was contemplating (figured at the original price of $350 be better to hold out for the grizzly but now…) (I'm not worrying about the riser since i dont do any big resawing as of yet)

I figure a simple mobile base (I forget if it comes with casters or not) should be easy enough to kitbash together, and then the only issue is a fence (that was a big plus for the grizzly also) but I found some plans in Wood Magazine 149 for a really nice do-it-all auxiliary table and fence, so I'd rather go that route then spend $100 or so for an aftermarket fence.

So we'll see if I can squeeze that into my budget, and this might end up being the first addition to Jei's Workshop v2.0 :D

\o/
 
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#2 ·
A bandsaw is a great addition to any woodworkers shop. I wish you well. I also encourage you to not be too fast to buy all the upgrades you mention. The stock tires will be fine until you wear them out (make sure to de-tension after each shop session and the tires will hold up well). The stock belt will be fine for the first few years. I may be the only one, but I am not a fan of cool blocks. I actually switched from cool blocks back to conventional metal blocks on my small bandsaw. The only upgrades I would want shortly after purchase are the Timberwolf blade(s) and the brush. I would get the TImberwolf blades in widths that differ from the stock blade. The stock blade, while sharp, will still do a good job for you.
 
#3 ·
With the HF bandsaw in particular those are the ones that the LJs that own it seem to mention as "must haves" to significantly improve its performance. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was getting it all at once (the bandsaw itself + 1 or 2 blades will eat up my new tool budget for the month most likely lol) I don't like to rush out and get all the bells and whistles for anything till I've had a chance to put it through its paces.

And to wait for Woodcraft or Rockler to have a good sale on what I need :D
 
#4 ·
This is the table/fence I mentioned that I want to make for it. Thats part of my motivation for getting this sooner rather than later, it looks like fun to build LOL.

 
#5 ·
i have a 14" hf bandsaw. bought it 4 years ago. it is my workhorse. i do most of my ripping on it plus a lot of resawing. i use it everyday. i have had no problems with it. throw the blade that comes with it away before you even try it out and get a timberwolf blade. the plastic guide blocks won't last every long so you will need some coolblocks. good bandsaw for the price.
 
#6 ·
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ME!!!

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
(That was my happy scream!)

JEI GOT A NEW SHINY!!!!!

Ok so Sears had the Craftsman 21833 Contractor Saw on sale for $100 off to craftsman club members, so I been scrimping and saving and working to earn enough to get it before the sale runs out on the 27th. Well today I happen to look at the site and I see they have a free delivery thing going on (I only live 5 mins away from the nearest sears but hey, if its free…) and anyways, it would quality for an additional 15% off if I get it by the 19th, and I'm all like FFFFFFUUUUUUUU theres no way I'll get my next check by then (my pay period ends tommorrow, but it takes at least a week before I get it)

So I'm all sad and annoyed (this is an extra $67 savings we're talkin about) when I discover something wonderful. It qualifies for layaway. Layaway is only $83. OMG I HAVE $83!!!

SO long story short, its all set up and done, and I have it on layaway, and the grand total for my shiny new table saw with all the discounts and club bonuses and things and whatnot….$382 (orig $549). Its especially exciting since this is my first REAL woodworking tool, this is like a whole new level of awesome for me, and I rarely get awesome opportunities this. I am so freakin happy right now you'd think I was getting molested by a pack of rabid 19 yr old redheads with daddy issues (hey I'm single on valentines day, I'm allowed a fantasy or two right?) :D

The only thing left to say, and pardon my language here but this is amazingly appropriate…..

http://z9xb6a.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pmOF0JOZInTpJ4pxO1KgKV_vUnXtYsT79vhgjSHaZGbATnxpiXC10WNvE06uPXZyjSzIlN8YeawWopn_SoSp5KC32S1Qykr9O/********************%20yea.JPG
 
#10 ·
MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!

So today I made the last layaway payment (finally!) on my craftsman table saw and went with my brother in law to go pick it up. It am biiiiiig and it am heeaaaavvvyy. Nearly 400 pounds of pure win :D

I already have my old Skil benchtop packed up to go on ebay, I get a kick out of the sheer size difference….



So prolly this weekend I'll be puttin it together, then the first things I'm going to make are some ZCIs and a ramp (you can kinda see that the concrete pad its sitting on now is about 3" higher than the garage floor.

Actually, first I need to build a simple router table, THEN i can make the ZCIs. THEN i can make a tapering jig to make the ramp. Gonna be a busy weekend :D

And I get my first salary check next week, I already have a good Freud thin kerf combination blade, but I do want to get the PALS trunnion bolt replacements, and prolly a link belt. Oh and an Oshlun dado stack. I think everything else I need at this stage I already have. Oh I do need an adapter to go from the 4" DC port to my shop vac. Oh and a good extension cord, the one I have is too low a guage to feed it properly. I should make a list….

But hopefully I'll have that all set up this weekend, then next weekend I can make the inserts and ramp and whatnot. Course, I need to get my truck fixed before I can bring home the wood to actually build anything big LOL.
 
#18 ·
Now I can joint and plane like the cool kids!

FedEx just dropped off my shiny new Jet JJP-8BT 8" Jointer/Planer…giggles like a little schoolgirl

Probably won't get a chance to get it put together and try it out for a few days tho (boo), won't have time to really do anything till this weekend, but like to have it ready and get a little practice in (only used a jointer and planer a few times before). On that note, if anybody has any tips or advice for setting and tuning it up they wanna share, be glad to take em off your hands :D
 
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