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The need for a large bandsaw?

2K views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  HorizontalMike 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have a 20" Grizzly bandsaw with a 3hp motor and all I ever find myself using it for is resawing, does anyone actually use a larger saw for cutting curves or are they relegated for straight line duty in other's shops as well? I'm considering converting this completely into a sawmill with a carriage that wouldn't permit anything but ripping logs and cants into boards. I do have another smaller bandsaw that has worked fine for all of my curved cutting needs. So is a large bandsaw needed for curve work?
 
#4 ·
I have a GO555 that I bought primarly for re-sawing but this past week I put a 1/4" blade on it and have been making cuts for toys with it. Takes about ten minutes to switch back to my 5/8" carbide re-saw blade.
 
#5 · (Edited by Moderator)
I'm so freaking jealous. I do a lot of resawing, on a 14" with a riser. Would love to have a 3hp .
Dedicated makes sense if you have a smaller band saw.

Me I would not put it on a carriage, I would use it for finer resawing. But that's me.

Logs I would do on a different band saw since you don't want a full framed saw. Too much weight and frame.

Also for logs, I would want 5hp min. And cooling fluid . Again just me.
 
#9 ·
The temple issue is the only thing I could really think of. Most of the time when I'm dealing with something big enough to use the saw's capacity, I usually find it's easier to just use a jigsaw and not have to manipulate the entire workpiece.
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
"...it's better to have two band saws on your shop…"
Fishinbo +10

I am leaning in that direction. Of the ~4yr I have had my 14" Rikon BS, I have put a small 1/4" blade on it ONCE for a BS box project. ALL of the rest of the time I have kept a 3/4" Resaw blade on it. I have to admit that my BS has become a single purpose machine.

I keep toying with the idea of picking up that 10" Rikon BS for curves and BS boxes. For really small stuff I already have my +21yr old 16" scroll saw.
 
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