Bandsaw

I really like my Grizzly 14” Ultimate. It makes the blade go around!

-- Coffee is best with a fine layer of sawdust on top. -- http://www.north40custom.com

Ron… I have a Jet 14” myself; the only thing I wish I had done differently is the following:

1) buy the next model up with dust collector port
2) bought the 6” riser kit to take the re-saw capacity to 12”
3) Quick release tension lever. Turning the tension knob gets old real quick. Some saws come with this feature.

Did do:
1) replaced the stock blade with a new high quality blade. Makes a big difference in any saw.

-- Chris

I would get a name brand, Grizzly, Jet, Delta, Powermatic… not some off the wall brand.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Powermatic is expensive, but it comes all tricked out with carter guides, tension release, and they currently include a riser block and mobile base in a promotion at woodcraft. Many times if you buy a lesser brand, you will later want to add all of this and end up paying more in the long run. Just make sure you get a brand that has service if you need help with your took later.

-- making sawdust....

I have a 14” Grizzly with a riser block. It does everything I want it to do.

-- Maplewood, MN

I agree with motthunter’s advice. I too have a 14” powermatic and, even though it is more expensive, when compared with Jet, Grizzley etc. factoring in the upgrades that come with the tool make it a wash in my opinion. But irrespective of the brand, a 14” tool should be just fine for most amateur needs.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

This is the kind of information I needed to make a choice. One other brand comes to mind , Steel City . Anyone have an opinion on this brand ?

My 14” Grizzly Ultimate is a fine BS. Tension release, very good fence, tracks good, everything I need it for, it does.

Steel City wasn’t making the BS when I got my Griz so I have no opinion on them. I do have a very good opinion on their Mortiser though. ONE FINE MACHINE is all I can say.

Wayne

-- My Father was my mentor for my woodworking hobby and knowledge. Luv ya Dad.

I would however reccommend TIMBER WOLF blades from Sufolk Machinery.

Wayne

-- My Father was my mentor for my woodworking hobby and knowledge. Luv ya Dad.

Someone else just mentioned Timber Wolf on another thread.

-- Maplewood, MN

I have been using my Delta 14” for about 10 years now and it works great.

I like the Woodslicer from Highland Hardware. The variable 3 and 4 tpi eliminates vibration and
gives you a excellent finish on the cut. I have cut perfect .093” veneers from 11.5” tall stock.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Blake might have one to sell.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Go Karson!

-- North Texas

I just received my Grizzly GO555 on Friday. This being my first bandsaw, I don’t have much experience with setting one up, and set my expectations accordingly, but I was pleasantly surprised! it took about an hour and a half to assemble, then another 30 minutes to tweak. The blade included tracked just as it should, and I re-sawed a 4 inch wide piece of Texas Ebony, very hard, from 4/4, sliced 3/8ths off it very evenly! A couple passes thru my planer, and it’s ready to be the sole of my new mesquite foreplane. Very pleased with my purchase.

-- North Texas

Ron, I too have the Jet 14” and love it. I’ve done some upgrades too, but I think some of these are standard in the Jet now:

1. Quick Release Lever…a must on any model
2. 6” Riser Block… increase that ever so important capacity
3. Bearing Guides…. more stable, accurate, and who wants to constantly adjust and change cool blocks
4. Fence: I’ve got the old T-Slot fence and hate it. I think most models come with stock fence now
5. Blades: I use Timberwolf and they run quickly through anything I’ve pushed through them quickly and easy

What next:

1. New Spring…from what I gather this is something that almost all 14” saws need is an upgraded spring to increase tension, not expensive, and my stock spring was OK at first but now I need to upgrade
2. New Fence…Like I said above most come with a stock fence, at the time (4 yrs ago) mine did not, bought this t-track Kreg looking thing and hate it, time for me to move on :>)

That’s it for me, now why did I tell you all this??? These are things to look for for your money along with the obvious…i.e. horsepower. I’ve re-sawed a lot of lumber and my jet keeps on going strong. The table is flat and beautifully polished, and the saw runs very, very smooth, can balance a nickel on edge on the table…on a mobile stand! I’ve used the steel city and it did the job, but didn’t seem as well finished as my jet. The others I’m not sure, heard good things about powermatic (same company as Jet) and Grizzily. Heard some nightmares on Delta though. Which ever you buy there will probably be upgrades to be had. Make sure the model and brand can use the upgrades….especially the riserblock….very important. You won’t be happy unless you can increase the inches you have available.

Food for thought hope it helps, a bandsaw is one of those invaluable tools that save the day time and time again for me. I know you’ll enjoy having one too. Good Luck!

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

Karson what size? If this fella doesn’y buy.. Maybe I’d take a look.. Setting up a new shop in the spring..hahaha Oh cr*p now I get it I remember the wobbler…..... Man that seemed super frustrating .. getting the old band saw to be stillllllllllllllllll
I hope blake gets it tuned right it’s a nice old lady.. still love the older tools

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> why's there a light in fridge and not the freezer? , aka, the wood hunter.aka tigermaple5

Gotta throw my Rikon Deluxe 14” into the mix. While I have little experience in the way of comparisons, it exceeded every expectation. I did a review a while back. Check my homepage if interested. 13” resaw without a riser. Tensioning and tracking are as easy as any. Windows allow user to see the blade without opening the saw. Quick Tension release, lamp, and a very decent fence. My only gripe was that the adjustments for blade changes are not as fast as many I’ve seen. However, once set, the factory roller guides are awesome. Gotten several “best” awards from a few magazines. Most noted the blade change issue. A little pricey compared with a Grizzly, but much more reasonable than a Laguna or Powermatic. I’ve used the Grizzly 14” Ultimate and it did well. This was w/o the riser option. It isn’t as nice as the Rikon IMO, but it leaves little to be desired.

I’m with most everyone in that a TW blade or a Woodslicer (haven’t used, but it gets some praise) makes a world of difference.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

I’m very pleased with the Rikon model 10-325 deluxe 14 inch bandsaw I purchased. I replaced the supplied blade with a Timberwolf 111 inch blade. The saw has great resaw capabilities with the 1 1/2 horse motor. The blade guide keeps the blade running true and smoothly. The machine runs quietly and has a very solid feel to it when it is running. The blade tensioning device works well and saves time with no fiddling with the adjustment like on other saws. This saw replaces a 14 inch Grizzly that I could never keep the blade guide in the correct position.

-- I started out with nothing, and still have most of it..... Ernest 1.

Hi I have been using bandsaws for a very long time and I recently bought the upgrades Rikon 14” upgraded model and it is without a doubt a wonderful saw,lots of power,very large resaw ability and wonderful power,and features.I believe I have used just about every single brand out there and believe the Rikon is a notch above the rest although any of the top brands are wonderful