The day finally arrived, and there is a brand new band saw sitting in my workshop!! I’m sure now that it would have been easier to have ordered and had it shipped (free shipping), but that wouldn’t have been as interesting.
My husband and I drove to Williamsport PA on Friday, a 6+ hour drive, stopped in to Grizzly an hour before closing to check out the band saws for Saturday purchase. I was almost running through the store scouting everything out, spotted the band saws, and b-lined it over to them (adrenaline was pumping). The GO555X 14” HD was…...
OUT OF STOCK !! No Way !! Upon closer investigation noticed the upper wheel housing sits very low, close to the table. The pictures in the catalog were deceiving. Talked to the salesman at length about the different models, and my husband decided I should get the 17” HD GO413X2. For the extra money (which he coughed up) he figured I would never want for more, and the construction of the unit is better. Bigger table, cast iron trunnions, up to a 1” blade, 12” resaw capability and so on. They took the cost of shipping + a $25.00 coupon discount off the price. Thought about it over night, comparing all the different models features, and decided my husband was right. I would always be able to grow into it if needed. ( I knew there was a reason I married him).
Saturday, the big tent sale day, arrived at Grizzly to find a line to the tents was way longer than I cared to stand in, so went right inside the main store and purchased the 17” HD band saw, before it was out of stock. Out to the tents, all the good machinery was snatched up, and what was left was, for me, was less than desirable- missing parts, burned out motors, items out of calibration, broken cast iron bases, and the likes. Did grab a new 8” digital caliper though.
Back inside the store, I find that all DeWalt products were 20% off, so I grabbed a spare set of 13” planer blades for $44.00. My husband decides he wants me to have a drum sander too. Decided on the 12” baby drum, and he found a 12” X 18” granite block he wanted for lapping metal parts. He’s a metal man. At check out, again to be disappointed, both items were out of stock !! We left with only the band saw.
At the warehouse to pick up the band saw, the loading dock guys laughed when I told them to put it in my SUV.
” Lady, it ain’t gonna fit”
“Oh, yes it is”
“The crate is 82” long, it ain’t gonna fit”
“Take the crate off and it will fit, the saw is 73” we measured it”
“Can’t do that, you need to rent a U-Haul across the street”
My husband tells them to bring it out, he’ll get it in the car himself. They brought it out, tipped it on side and said no way. My husband picks up the bottom of the crate with the top resting on the back of the rear car opening, the guys were telling him he couldn’t lift it, it weighs over 400 lbs, as he lifted and slid it into the car, they jumped in to help. The crated unit hung out the back end by about 8”, we tied the door down, went to Walmart for a pry bar, uncrated it, and slid it in kitty corner against the passenger seat, and closed the hatch!!
My husband is a saint. The passenger seat was all the way forward and tipped straight up. We drove home, I drive, and he has his knees against the glove box, and elbows just about resting on the dash for 6 hours. We did stop to stretch. Hehe.
All in all it was an adventure, can’t say I was thrilled with Grizzly’s inventory levels, or the whole tent thing, but I got to spend an enjoyable weekend with the man I love…and I have a story to go with my new band saw.
Setting it up today, and hubby is running 220v outlets for me so I can plug her in. Life is Good !! : )
Lisa
-- I inherited the woodworking gene and it's gone into overdrive.......
22 comments so far
hunter71
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110 posts in 85 days
posted 69 days ago
Sounds like something I would do. One good thing is you didn’t get a 14” you would not have liked. I have always withed I went the extra for a 17”.
-- A childs smile is payment enough.
degoose
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2023 posts in 253 days
posted 69 days ago
I too have a 14 cause it was all I could afford at the time and wish I had gone bigger… I do have fun on the 14 but…
You will have no end of fun with the bandsaw… I look forward to many posts.
Cheers and beers.
Larry
-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au
JJackson
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106 posts in 981 days
posted 69 days ago
Congrats Lisa! Sometimes its the adventure in getting new machinery that makes it so special. Have fun with the new saw!
Jeff
-- Jeff, Indiana
poroskywood
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198 posts in 263 days
posted 69 days ago
Great story Lisa! Grizzly’s tent sale is a mad house. I can’t imagine buying anything from the store during the event It must have taken you all day. Smart move buying the saw new in store. Most of the Scratch and dent items have taken some sort of beating and I don’t think you would want to by something like a bandsaw that could have major alignment problems. I got my 20” spiral head planer at the tent sale though, the only thing wrong with it was the base was dented in where it had been hit with a fork by a lift truck. Saved $700. A trip to Grizzly is always an adventure, especially when your bringing something back. Oh, BTW your husband IS a Trooper! I’m not sure if I could have taken the ride home like that.
-- There's many a slip betwixt a cup and a lip.--Scott
jussdandy
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101 posts in 106 days
posted 69 days ago
Good story, ya had fun and seem to be happy, what more could ya ask for.
-- Randy, Fla http://www.kelleyscabinetsupply.com
patron
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2462 posts in 240 days
posted 69 days ago
wow , am i happy for you !
now you can run amok in the shop .
and we can all cheer louder !
the pictures ,
of the wavy boards ,
didn’t load yet ,
they didn’t show up .
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
dustbunny
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333 posts in 194 days
posted 69 days ago
David,
Jigs…..must..have…...jigs….LOL
Lisa
-- I inherited the woodworking gene and it's gone into overdrive.......
ellen35
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542 posts in 331 days
posted 69 days ago
Lisa,
Although we missed you at LJ NE picnic, I can understand how you made the choice! I am envious of the trip and the bandsaw. I love my 14” Grizz.. a 17 must be wonderful!
Looking forward to your projects!
Ellen
-- Ellen on Cape Cod
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7045 posts in 1198 days
posted 69 days ago
Congratulations, on a trip not wasted.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 998 days
posted 69 days ago
That is a great story.
Can’t wait to see the new saw in action.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 998 days
posted 69 days ago
Was that actually the GO513X2?
You typed GO413X2.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
woodisit
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61 posts in 140 days
posted 69 days ago
To bad you didn’t get pics of you loading it in the car!
-- Woodisit
dustbunny
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333 posts in 194 days
posted 69 days ago
Oops! Good pick up Todd. It is actually the GO513X2. It is one of the “Extreme” band saws.
Wish I had pics of loading it too, and of the husband smashed up in the dashboard. Hehe
Just cleaned off the table top of packaging grease and ran the dial indicator across the surface. Looks like machined surface has a slight dip near the blade hole of 0.003 inches. I think that is acceptable.
Thanks to everyone for sharing in my excitement about my new toy!!
Lisa
-- I inherited the woodworking gene and it's gone into overdrive.......
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 998 days
posted 69 days ago
Well, you should love that one. I have the G0513 and I get great cuts with it. Yours is an upgrade of the one I have.
I just resawed a bunch of curly maple Thursday. I will have to get pics.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Dusty56
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3502 posts in 587 days
posted 69 days ago
Congratulations on your new toy ! Hopefully you’ll be able to attend next years N.E. LJ gathering and bring some projects that you make with your new bandsaw. : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Robert Herring
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26 posts in 278 days
posted 69 days ago
GOTTA LOVE IT!
-- Robert M. Herring
jack1
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389 posts in 926 days
posted 69 days ago
As someone on TV might say, “YOU GO GIRL!” Seriously, that’s a great story and I hope a fantastic saw. If you are like me, the more I use my bandsaw, the more I like it and (hopefully) the better I get with it! Have fun and make lots of curves!
-- jack -- measure once, curse twice!
Todd A. Clippinger
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5655 posts in 998 days
posted 68 days ago
I just cut these the other day on my bandsaw.
I squared the stock up on the jointer, drew pencil lines where I wanted to cut and cut them freehand on the G0513 bandsaw. I have the tall resaw fence but have never used it to date.
I cut them and then ran them through the sanding machine to clean up the saw marks. They finished out at 1/8” thickness.
Just think, you can do this now!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
PurpLev
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2764 posts in 547 days
posted 68 days ago
congrats… sounds like it was a busy busy day at the tent sale. I can only imagine a 6+ hour drive cramped against the dashboard…. you are indeed lucky…lol
enjoy the new tool. it’s one of everyone’s favorites!
-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
Mike
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140 posts in 282 days
posted 68 days ago
Good deal and you had fun. Enjoy…
-- Mike, VT
a1Jim
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17140 posts in 476 days
posted 68 days ago
cool story Lisa Enjoy your new toys
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com
EzJack
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179 posts in 69 days
posted 61 days ago
Man, I could use that saw, Tod. I’ve been ts both sides and running a saw-zall blade down the middle to many times. It’s time to sell the old peenee weenee and get a new.
-- Ain't better or worse than any other woodpecker in the woods.