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is this bandsaw worth $125?

3K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  dmoney 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a tiny bandsaw (7" black & decker). I can't really cut out shapes on 2x material. Looking for a bigger one. This one hasn't really been used in 2 years. The seller wants $125. should I buy it?
It's a 1 hp, 12" craftsman

 
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#2 ·
I think you will regret it, save your money and go for at least a 14 inch bandsaw. I bought the ridgid bandsaw for around 300 dollars, I have done a lot of upgrading to it and am very satisfied. If all you want to do is scroll sawing with it I suppose it would work, but for any kind of resawing you are going to want a larger capacity, at least 6 inch of resaw. Just my opinion of course.
 
#3 ·
Greetings dmoney:... I completely agree with Rasta. I had a 12" Crapsman band saw years ago (my first one about 20 years ago), and it just couldn't "cut it". Look for at least a 14" or bigger, if you can find one. It'll do just about anything you want it to do…..you'll be happier in the long run… don't settle for something just because it sounds like a good deal…. it ain't…..... you'd never be happy with it…. trust us….keep on keeping on…...
 
#4 · (Edited by Moderator)
Don't know your experiences. Simple answer is definetly no.

Don't care if it's never been used, it's still a no.

This offered machine is a nice home hobby saw for model airplanes and such working with the softest woods.

Not bad, simply, if you want more, and you are asking on a woodworking forum, you may find iit woefully underpowered and lacking.

Demonstarte willpower and save your extra coin and get the tool that will satisfy you best.

I know it's a beach, but stick with the fundamentals.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a bit different opinion Derek. That is much more saw then your current 7" B&D model and it is a step up. The price is decent as I see people asking $200.00 to $300.00 for them around here. So depending on what you want to do with the saw it might work for you.

I do agree with the above posters that the Harbor Freight 14" saw is the better saw to have.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I would love to have that saw for $25.00!

The saw isn't much good for resaw work but it will cut curves in 2"X stock.

It will also be handy for a quick cut here and there.

I still agree that the generic Harbor Freight/Rigid saw is a better piece of equipment and when set up properly will work for resaw work but that may not be what the OP is asking about.

If he isn't resaw'ing, planing and joining rough lumber then that 12" saw is certainly a step up over what he now has.
 
#10 ·
Actually, at one time I had one of those and there are some nice features. The tilting head is a really nice alternative. I prefer it to a tilting table. It was a nice big table for a small saw. It cut well. I think it was max of 1/2 in blade. 5" cutting height or so. Is it as nice as a saw that costs three times as much? No, but is was a step above the little dinky home improvement stores.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for all the helpe everyone.
i think I'm going to get it. in the future I might want/need something better but for right now this will probably do what I want. I'm cutting shapes in 2x stock right now with a jigsaw and hope this will cut straighter and nicer. I like the big table to help support the stock too.
 
#13 ·
i had that saw years ago ,
the tilting body was nice ,
but i never used it .
i had to glue a sheet of formica to the table ,
as the groves made the bottom splinters follow the groves ,
and made my cut ' groggy ' , not smooth .
i think the fence rode a rail on the back of the table ,
making adjustments somewhat tedious ,
as you had to go around to the back to do it .
with a good blade ,
bigger is better !
eventually you can have all your band saws ,
with dedicated thickness blades .
then just change them ,
without messing with the guides .
 
#14 ·
I have that saw now and would prefer it somewhere else.
I cant resaw with the blade I have on it.
I only use it for light scrolling.

If I didn't have it I would be looking for something with better saw guides as this one runs astray at times.
I can also stall it out on occasion.
 
#16 ·
My father has used a bandsaw like that heavily for several years, doing just what you say you want to do - cutting 4/4 and 8/4 material, but not ever resawing. My mother has a business of sorts painting tole type stuff which requires him to spend a couple hours a week cutting materials for her to paint - mostly pine. It's worked well for him for that, and it'll get you where you need to go until you get your hands on something else, and at the price, you should be able to get most of your money back. Dad's worn out two of those saws, and older model and now a newer one is running out of steam - so you can use them successfully enough if you want to.
 
#20 ·
I sold mine a year ago for $125. There was a lot of interest at that price.

I had Timberwolf blades on it and upgraded guide blocks and it never cut straight no matter how I adjusted for drift. It was just frustration. I thought it was me but when I finally got a Laguna I realized there was a night and day difference in quality.

Give it a try, it's a fair price, and as someone said, you should be able to get most of your money back if you decide to sell it.
 
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