All Replies on top 3 recommendations for 14-inch bandsaw

General 490, Powermatic 141, then the smaller Italian-style
steel framed saws available under several different brand names
like Laguna, Rikon, etc.

What is your price point?

-- Todd http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid6255915

I have only one bandsaw brand I like Delta… The ones who pioneered the 14” bandsaw.

Thanks, Michael Frey
Portland,OR

FREY WOODWORKING INC.

Mike, I love your consistency! Are you are brand loyal with your vehicles?

-- Todd http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid6255915

I have a grizz GO555X , wouldn’t trade it for a new one.

-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd

Seems that I read of a particular Delta model that had a lot of problems. Anyone know the exact model number? I have a buddy also looking for a bandsaw.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

I have the Rikon, have had it about 3 years. I have resawed a few hundred board feet. I have a 3/8” , 4 tooth, sterling blade in it, from Hal Talyor. I resawed 10 3’ oak logs today from N. cal. and some Lilac 6” from the yard here in Mt. Love it. Git any of the new saws and I think you will be happy, happy sawing and Merry Christmas. Bob

-- Bob, Lewistown, Montana. Kindness is the Language the blind can see and deaf can hear. - Mark Twain

I like my Jet 708115K … it came with a re-saw fence, and I added Carter’s Quick Release. I bought it on sale at a local machinery dealer (no shipping).

I tossed the factory blade and use Carter AccuRight blades for most work, and a Highland Woodslicer for re-saw work.

IMPORTANT: Even a low-end saw can perform like a champ if you tune it up right and USE A DECENT QUALITY BLADE!

—Gerry

-- Gerry -- "I don't plan to ever really grow up ... I'm just going to learn how to act in public!"

Delta…..mine’s 14-15 years old, and stll stroking a good lick…..not a minutes trouble with it….

Can’t recommend another one. My first saw was a Grizzly 14”...biggest piece of crap I ever owned..

-- " Don't ever wrestle a pig in a mudhole....he'll be having more fun than you..!!

I will second the Rikon, I have thrown some pick turning blanks at it and it has preformed amazing every time.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-www.coloradocustomworks.com

I honestly can’t recall any real negative comments about the 14 inch Rikon BS. Craftsman had a clone of it, and for some reason they stopped selling it.

-- Todd http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid6255915

I like my Rikon as well, but the OP never gave a price point, so there may more or less funds to work with. The resaw capacity and 1 1/2 hp were too much to pass up for me.

I have had a Delta for about 20 years. No problems at all, and it works as well as the day I bought it.

I also have a Steel City granite top saw that I won here in a contest. Nice also and the granite top makes it real easy to clamp things to it.

The Delta is still my go to Bandsaw.

-- Gary - Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way - Tyler, TX

bullethead. Being that I’m 18 years old. I really have not had a life time of cars. I just recently was given my grandfathers 1957 356 A Porsche. He restored in 1985. Anyways I guess when it comes to cars, at this point my loyalty will be Porsche…...

I really need a truck…. I woodwork…. Porsche, baaaaad car for that….

Thanks, Michael Frey
Portland, OR

FREY WOODWORKING INC.

Ron;

Agree with Bob, Roper, and Shane above. +1 on the Rikon 10-325 14”. You can re-saw almost 13” and don’t have to mess with the expense or installation of riser blocks. You can do virtually everything with three 111” Timberwolf blades, 1/4”-10 TPI, 1/2”- 4TPI, and 3/4”-3 TPI. If you hook up a dust collector to the 4” outlet you don’t have much cleanup.

They have gone up in price a bit in last three years but, still a solid value.

Good luck!

-- Rick Gustafson - Lost Creek Ranch - Colorado County, Texas

Mike, I totally understand…I used to have trucks from my 20’s-40’s.

When gas hit $1.75 in 2004, I traded it for a fuel sipping car that I paid cash for that I still have and still drive daily.

All my lumber is delievered to my door by Wall Lumber. Wood by mail is cheaper than gas or car payments for me HAHA.

Porsche is not a bad loyalty to have!

Nice tools, nice shop and nice car,—you have a nice start in life! :-)

-- Todd http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid6255915

Gerry hit it on the head. “IMPORTANT: Even a low-end saw can perform like a champ if you tune it up right and USE A DECENT QUALITY BLADE!” I have 4 Deltas (3-14” and 1-10”). Three are from the ‘50’s the other from ‘71. Thay are all factory parts. I make sure I use good blades, the wheels are in good shape, and guides are square and properly adjusted. There is a reason you can usually only find the old Deltas at estate sales.

-- Dan Coleman, retired Welding Inspector and past IA Teacher

Powermatic, Powermatic or the Powermatic.

Rick

On occasion I approach a subject from a different perspective than others. That is the case here.

I think a 14” BS is a compromise saw. I use a band saw for 2 basic purposes: curved cuts (sometimes quite delicate cutting) and resawing.

For the delicate curved work a 14” is overkill. Yes, it works, but you could get by with an even smaller saw just fine.

A 14” will also resaw, but a bigger BS is much better for that.

In my shop I have an 18”, 2 HP BS set up for resawing with a 3/4” blade and I have an 11” ShopSmith BS (with a Carter Stablizer) that works great for the delicate, curvy cuts, usually with a 3/16” blade.

Of course, you need the room and a little more money for such a setup but, for me, this is the way to go.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I have the 14” Grizzly GO555X. It took me about 6 months of working with it to finally get it tuned and working the way I wanted. Now it is working good and I have no complaints as of right now. Right after I bought it the treads on the tension rod stripped out and grizzly replaced that with no questions asked so I give them an A+ for customer service. As I said I am happy with my saw now but was not for the first six months so if I had to do it over again then I would spend the extra money and buy a powermatic, delta, rikon, laguna and hopefully be happy straight out of the box.

I bought a 14” Delta off the floor of Lowes, and never looked back. It does absolutely everything I need. Resaw, dust collection, stable table, quiet, never stalls, easy blade changes. $375…

-- Paul, Tennessee, http://www.tsunamiguitars.com

I have to agree with Rich. I keep either a 3/16 or 1/8” blade on my 10” Homecraft. With a 1/2” riser block you can use stock Delta 72-5/8” blades. The 14” Deltas struggle with resawing im my case because I am mnot running a coarse enough blade to shed the saw dust efficiently. A friend of mine has a larger Laguna. He has never been able to get it to resaw. He has had a couple factory reps work on it and a fellow woodworker with the same model saw. I guess I am going to be the next examiner.

-- Dan Coleman, retired Welding Inspector and past IA Teacher

Delta, grizzly, Rikon, Rigid – - I would say in that order.
I have the Delta X5 (USA version) from 2005 – only an import now, but with the riser block I resaw with a 1/2 inch 3 TPI blade regularly even in exotics like Jatoba without trouble.

Just like joiners, a saw that is only a Little bigger is usualy a LOT more $$$.
Spent some time with Michael Fortune on tuning and useing it to full advantage, and I have not wished I had something bigger (but don’t tell SWMBO I said that)

-- "_If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves_." Edison

Rikon… Had mine over 1 1/2 years and continue to be amazed that I spent just $699 for this thing! Love it. Just put a 3/4in 3TPI Timberwolf blade on it and it resaws fine. There are better blades out there but the TW blades are still pretty good.

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."

Powermatic or Grizzly IMO. I have the 0555 BS and love it. We have a brand new Delta at my workplace and I used to be a big Delta fan but, after using it and several other new Delta pieces, I am very disappointed with the fit/finish and overall quality of what they are putting out now. For the money, I’d go with the Grizzly but, if you can swing it, the Powermatic.