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buying a new band saw

1K views 13 replies 9 participants last post by  Grumpymike 
#1 ·
buying a new band saw

I am in the market for a new Band saw. My budget is 650 to 750. What is best for my money? Or should I blow the budget and go higher? I am replacing an old Delta. No sure how old it is. It was a hand me down. What do you think. Thanks
 
#2 ·
For the budget you mentioned, it is going to be hard to beat the Grizzly G0555 series of cast iron band saws. They are close to being a modern day copy of the old reliable Delta design. If I had more like $1000 to spend, I would consider a 14 or 17 inch steel frame saw that is made for re-sawing as well as curve cutting. I own the Laguna 14/12 and have nothing but good things to say about it. Grizzly offers a G0513 series of 17 inch saws I keep hearing good things about. Ar the lower end of the price spectrum is Rikon. I have one of those too but they use a blade guide system that I absolutely despise. It is hard to adjust precisely due to very poor design and machining tolerances. I hardly ever change blades in that saw for that reason.
 
#3 ·
A lot depend on what you plan on doing with it, and then how much you use it. If what you plan on using it for needs a bigger saw then the upgrade would be money well spent. If you don't use it daily and don't need extra size, grizzly, jet, delta all make great saws. I have a jet I like, but it is not a daily use for me. I would like to have one with a quick tension release though that can be added after market.
 
#7 ·
My current Delta needs to be over hauled. The bearing are frozen the tires are shot. Carter has a upgrade for my saw at about 200 dollars. So I figured put the the money toward a new saw. My wife uses the table saw a lot so I thought it would be a good investment.
 
#8 ·
I absolutely love my 24" Tannewitz , has the blade welder , cutter, grinder, variable speed,air compressor, foot brake . , if You can find one , there has never been a better bandsaw produced . I use 1/4 " blades and have them tight
Never in twenty years has one broke or thumped .
I have 6 other bandsaws , but the Tannewitz is so fun to use .
Yes the Delta Rockwell is the industry's standard, have 4 different ones of those couple of the metal/wood style . and the grizzly go555, seems to do well also . I guess I am a tool nut , and don't switch blades , they all do a different operation ,
Never impressed with the Rockwell 20" , were problematic . . Three of my bandsaw s have the factory tension release , I find myself never ever using them , if I do , turn the saw on without the retention and will create havoc. Think it is a bunch of crap, also a few have the roller bearing guides , and I still think the ceramic retrofit guides are the best all around guide. I remember when I was younger , and all the carter accessories hype was making me think I actually needed that stuff . Like I said the Tannewitz has steel guides and has always been flawless.
985-750-2817.
 
#10 ·
Rikon #10-325, 14" .... Lists for around $1000. , but watch your sales and talk to your dealer about specials ... I got mine for $750.
Now I'm ready to cut 13" material right out of the box, "don't need no stinkin' risers" or special blade sizes like with other saws … And you can use 3/4" resaw blades.
 
#11 ·
Bought my 18 jet barely used- 750. also have a 20" rockwell- 1950 it has run flawlessly for 15 yrs now. watch craigslist.
Rikon and grizzly have good sales though
 
#14 ·
Delta is a pretty good saw, hard to go wrong there, but but now you have to buy the riser block and that changes the blade size, so now a new blade … so is there really a savings?? are we being penny wise and pound foolish??
I've made that mistake in the past … Free interest is hard to pass up and a great incentive.
Let us know when you pull the trigger
 
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