Band Saws

what kind of small projects? Just wondering if a scroll saw would be an option as well?

That little Delta for $75 ain’t a bad deal…

Generally, stay away from three wheel things, unknown or obscure brands, and Ryobi :)

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

One of the drawbacks of smaller band saws is the more frequent blade breakage due to metal fatigue. Smaller wheels flex the blade more than larger ones. That may be why we see no new models of 3-wheel band saws.

Then also, you have less throat capacity and less cutting depth. If your “small work” includes holes, a scroll saw may be a good choice.

-- Phil Allin - There are mountain climbers and people who talk about climbing mountains. The climbers have "selfies" at the summit!

What are you making?

IMO, skip the baby and get a real from the start.

That little Delta for $75 ain t a bad deal…

Generally, stay away from three wheel things, unknown or obscure brands, and Ryobi :)

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

LOL! Funny you should mention that one! I texted the guy today asking about model number and age of the unit. He’s out of town until Sunday and then he’ll get back to me!

-- How do you comfort a grammar nazi? "There, their, they're."

what kind of small projects? Just wondering if a scroll saw would be an option as well?

- jerkylips

Boxes, cutting boards, keepsakes.

-- How do you comfort a grammar nazi? "There, their, they're."

Try the NEW Rikon 10” . It has a lot of big saw features in a smaller package. Have fun, work safely and good luck.

-- "Now I'm just another old guy wearing funny clothes"

I just purchased the new Rikon 10” (10-305) and it is a good value for the money. Well made and has some features typically not found on small saws. Woodcraft has it on sale right now. If that is within your budget it would be a good choice.

-- Don't let perfection get in the way of plenty good enough

I’m looking into a bandsaw purchase as well – ran across this video that compares the two Rikons
https://youtu.be/ueB4zSCr6V4

Three wheel bandsaws flex the blade more, in more than one way…

1. They use smaller diameter wheels.
2. They bend the blade around an additional (3rd) wheel.

Every time that blade changes from straight to curved (or back), is taking life out of the blade. And the smaller the wheel diameter, the smaller the bending radius applied to the blade, and then straightened out again as the blade leaves the wheel.

Andy

That little Delta for $75 ain t a bad deal…

Generally, stay away from three wheel things, unknown or obscure brands, and Ryobi :)

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

At a glance that looks like it might be an 8” delta. If so be aware that it has some of the same disadvantages as the 3 wheelers in that it bends the blades pretty tightly. It does use almost all metal parts which is a plus. I have one that I picked up for $40 in good shape.

I also have a 9” Ryobi that has seen daily use for about 6 years. It has it’s shortcomings but it is actually more saw than the delta IMO, mostly by virtue of having a little bigger wheels.

As the wheels get smaller and smaller blade choice gets kind of fussy. IME, you need to stick with blades thinner blades and finer teeth than you might think make sense. On the 8” i only use the specific sizes they suggest and not even the wider and coarser of those.

I have the two little bandsaws and a 14” bandsaw and they all get used pretty much every day.

BTW, I agree that the 10” Ryobi looks like a nice saw for someone who doesn’t want to spring for the Rikon, but wants a nicer little saw.

That little Delta for $75 ain t a bad deal…

Generally, stay away from three wheel things, unknown or obscure brands, and Ryobi :)

Cheers,
Brad

- MrUnix

At a glance that looks like it might be an 8” delta. If so be aware that it has some of the same disadvantages as the 3 wheelers in that it bends the blades pretty tightly. It does use almost all metal parts which is a plus. I have one that I picked up for $40 in good shape.

I also have a 9” Ryobi that has seen daily use for about 6 years. It has it s shortcomings but it is actually more saw than the delta IMO, mostly by virtue of having a little bigger wheels.

As the wheels get smaller and smaller blade choice gets kind of fussy. IME, you need to stick with blades thinner blades and finer teeth than you might think make sense. On the 8” i only use the specific sizes they suggest and not even the wider and coarser of those.

I have the two little bandsaws and a 14” bandsaw and they all get used pretty much every day.

BTW, I agree that the 10” Ryobi looks like a nice saw for someone who doesn t want to spring for the Rikon, but wants a nicer little saw.

- PeteStaehling

The seller finally contacted me. It was indeed an 8” Delta, so I passed based on what I read here!

-- How do you comfort a grammar nazi? "There, their, they're."

If I could ask the consensus of the group here, what do you guys think of this one:

https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/tls/d/portland-craftsman-band-saw/6840107530.html

It’s a Craftsman Model 119.214000 10”.

Thanks!

-- How do you comfort a grammar nazi? "There, their, they're."

My first band saw was a Wen 3962 and I love that thing. Perfect for small projects and the price is fantastic. Have used it for everything, including re-sawing hardwood.

-Matt

I am still using a craftsman that is over 30 years old. I am a serious woodworker and it works for me. They were state of the art back then.

-- Michael Dilday, Suffolk, Va.