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Forum topic by woodtablet | posted 04-25-2015 04:23 AM | 2061 views | 0 times favorited | 27 replies | ![]() |
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04-25-2015 04:23 AM |
Topic tags/keywords: question I am looking to buy a new bandsaw, and before I started searching the internet, my initial limit was 700, but now I am willing to borrow some additional funds and stretch that maybe 900. I was looking at the Grizzly Anniversary 14” or maybe even the 17” ? http://grizzly.com/products/14-Deluxe-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0555LANV I live in America, so it feels a little weird to make such a large purchase and have it shipped to my house without ever seeing one. I was thinking of going with the 14” and the riser block. To date, the largest thing I have had to resaw was 8”, and did it on my tablesaw, which was sad, because I I lost sooo much material when trying to get 3×1/2” pieces out of 7/4” stock. I mostly work with maple (hard & soft) and cherry, but plan on doing resawing of walnut as well. Again up to about 8”. Is a 14” with a 1HP motor enough ? Anyone else have suggestions for bandsaws in my price range (or close to it ?) I went to a industrial supply store, and they were trying to sell me the Laguna 14×12, but after reading about bad customer service here on LJ, I am not eager to do that. I have been reading here on the forums, but many of the post are from a few years ago, so I wanted to ask it again. Thanks Everyone, |
27 replies so far
#1 posted 04-25-2015 05:06 AM |
I had the exact same experience as you. -- -Sam, in Wisconsin |
#2 posted 04-25-2015 07:55 AM |
I have a Grizzly G0555LANV and can’t say enough good things about it. If you are going to be re-sawing a lot of hard woods I would go with the G0513 even the next size up in hp. With the bigger saws you can use bigger blades (3/4 and up), this makes a big difference in re-sawing hardwoods, wider boards and cutting your own boards to set up to dry. I have cut a lot of hardwoods on my G0555LANV with a 1/2 inch blade it’s just a little slower than my bigger saws. As with any saw the set up and blade is the key, use good sharp blades and keep saw tuned. |
#3 posted 04-25-2015 09:21 AM |
quite some time ago laguna did have an issue with their customer service as I have been told on the flip side of that I have owned the 14/12 for a little over a year now and do not regret at all buying it on my opinion the ceramic guides coupled with the almost 14” re-saw capacity are worth the extra cost over the griz. not knocking the Griz I came real close to driving to PA to get one before I ran across the laguna good luck on your choice both are good machines from what I hear. |
#4 posted 04-25-2015 09:50 AM |
I have a Jet 14” band saw that I picked up used with very little use. Runs great. Check the local ads there are a lot of good deals out there. |
#5 posted 04-25-2015 11:19 AM |
If you’re looking at a 14 inch then look for an older Delta and add the riser block and save some money. |
#6 posted 04-25-2015 01:36 PM |
I have the GO555 saw with a riser. It has a one HP motor and re-saw fence. I bought it just to re-saw with and it does a fine job on anything I can fit under the 12 1/2” thickness capacity. I use a 1/2” carbide “SUpercut” re-saw blade now, after, trying others. In my experience re-sawing is all in blade choice. I have used this saw daily since 2008. -- No PHD just a DD214 Lubbock Texas |
#7 posted 04-25-2015 02:43 PM |
I have the 17” anniversary and so far love it. If it’s between those 2, get the 17”. You’re paying not much more for a larger machine but also a better body frame design. I can also tell you the 17” has 2 4” dust collection ports. One at the bottom and one right under the table. Laguna has a strong reputation for bandsaws so I would definitely take a look but reviews, like you mentioned, on their customer service has been horrendous. I live an hour from the local city, but 2-5 hours from actual dealers so for me, phone support is extremely important and Grizzly has always been top notch, the very few times I have needed them. I use mine right now for mainly cutting large slabs down the middle so I can flatten them easier. Right now I have the Grizzly blade they recommended for resawing which cuts through it like butter but I am going to get a Resaw King blade this week for resawing much thicker stock. I also ended up getting an older 18” Grizzly for $200 off craigslist but the design on the 17” is better for resawing so I’ll keep a narrow blade on that one and use it for curves and also for cutting tenons. |
#8 posted 04-25-2015 05:19 PM |
I have the Grizzly G0513X2BF and love it. The foot break imho is useless, but the motor break is great! The X2 adds the cast iron wheels so you get a much smoother cut. -- "I love it when a plan comes together" John "Hannibal" Smith |
#9 posted 04-25-2015 06:18 PM |
I don’t know about cs, but the Laguna 14” bandsaw is an awesome saw. A friend of mine has one and it is pretty sweet. I always go bigger than I think I need. If it’s in the budget i would go 17”. If you do a lot of detail work you can do what I did – pick up a deal on CL. -- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!! |
#10 posted 04-25-2015 07:45 PM |
I love my Jet 14” Pro, 13” resaw capability and guts enough for serious cutting (for me, a hobbyist) including neighbors’ trees that i plank into short boards. Stickers around a grand but I caught the 15% off sale. It helped a bunch that. I was sitting on a grand in credit card reward points. So, I recommend the Jet. But if you don’t have the points then a good used one might do. Good luck. -- - Crud. Go tell your mother that I need a Band-aid. |
#11 posted 04-25-2015 08:37 PM |
I have the Porter Cable 14” you can get from Lowes and also bought the riser kit. Well worth the upgrade, IMO. It’s my first BS so I don’t have much experience with it beyond what I’ve used it for and it works great as long as you have a decent blade and have tuned it up properly. Mine doesn’t drift much anymore after I tuned it like Alex from Carter Products recommended. I also agree with you that I’d rather see the tool before I buy it, especially of that scale. |
#12 posted 04-25-2015 08:43 PM |
Rikon 10-325 |
#13 posted 04-25-2015 08:47 PM |
I’ve got the ShopFox W1706 14” band saw. It is similar to the lower end grizzly’s but has cast iron wheels instead of aluminum ones, and an enclosed base. I think I paid $600 for it. If there is a local shop that has one, that might be a better option than the Grizzly. It wasn’t much more money, and had some upgrades. It has been good to me. I have been thinking of the riser kit, but haven’t gotten there yet. -Brian -- Part of engineering is to know when to put your calculator down and pick up your tools. |
#14 posted 04-25-2015 11:02 PM |
If your max budget is 900 then I’d go with the 14” because you will need some money for goodies like a couple of nice blades. I have the Griz G0513X2 and my only regret is not getting the motor brake. The CI wheels take forever to spin down. -- Tom - Measure twice cut once. Then measure again. Curse. Fudge. |
#15 posted 04-26-2015 08:53 AM |
Wow alot of great information here ! Thanks everyone! |
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