what bandsaw to get?

Here is where I am looking (if I ever manage to scrape together the funds)

http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaws

-- Make furniture that lasts as long as the tree - Ryan

I have been pleased with my Delta 28-206 closed cabinet. (It runs about 700.)
I know delta sells an model that has 3/4hp and open stand for much cheaper.

You can also look at Grizzly, Sears, Shop Fox, JET, Powermactic.

Thanks, Michael Frey
Portland, OR

FREY WOODWORKING INC.

Have a search on here at the threads, reviews and blogs already made.
There is a ton of information and opinions on size, brands, blades etc etc etc
Your specific needs will dictate which saw you should get
Good luck

-- Scott "Some days you are the big dog, some days you are the fire hydrant"

I really like my little Rikon. Some day I hope to have its 18” Papa. I see an awful lot of good comments on the Grizzly as well, but I like to see and feel a machine before I buy it, and Grizzly is a long way off for me. I won’t have a comment on Laguna except to say they are above my budget, but you might do a search to see some of the comments others have made about Laguna customer service ( or lack of it).

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

With the little 14in models, I really didn’t see anything else that made me jump out and buy something better than the one from Harbor Freight. It is a lot of saw for $300 (watch for sales and coupons) I added a fence, roller bearings, cobra coil, and a riser block that I am not that thrilled with—harder to tension the blade with that installed.

It probably is the same castings as most of the rest of the 14in saw market. It wouldn’t surprise me if it is from the same factory.

Is it the same as one of the big saws? Not even close. It is a solid little piece of equipment though.

-- Woodworking shouldn't cost a fortune: http://lowbudgetwoodworker.blogspot.com/

Like Crank says, buy the Rikon 10-325 14-Inch Deluxe Band Saw. It is the biggest little bandsaw out there. Its 13” resaw capacity is unmatched in other dedicated 14” BSs (until they “add” an extender block) and it has a built in tension release lever. This BS will cut as much as the 18” guys natively and at only $799 currently, it is the best bang for the buck, IMO.

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

I have a General 15” as well as a Laguna 16HD, both work real well for me but may be a little more $$ than the others mentioned here…

-- Randy "You are judged as much by the questions you ask as the answers you give..."

um, sorry but i am looking for a saw in the under 400$ range. so the laguna is never gunna happen…

-- duck tape, it's like the force. it has a dark side and a light side and it holds the world together

I recommend looking at the used market. You can get a lot more saw for the money.

-- Glen

In your price range I think you would be best buying something used. I have the Rikon 10-325 and love it. Got it from Woodcraft on sale for $699, 13” resaw capacity and cuts though anything I can push through it with ease. I even sometimes go to it for ripping if my TS is preoccupied or if I need to rip something thick. I recently had to repair a rotted 4×6 post and had a piece of 6×6 that I ripped in half, and notched the top 12” to take the bottom of the rotted post that I trimmed back to sound wood. Glued it back together with PL adhesive and nails to the existing post. They say the riser block saw have some alignment issues but I have no experience with that.

-- John, Long Island, NY

NMguy SAID:
um, sorry but i am looking for a saw in the under 400$ range. so the laguna is never gunna happen…

Yeah right… I am sorry, but either yew get over it and spend what you need to be spend to get a decent BS or go ahead and buy the cheapest BS (POS) out there and B&M about it on LJs. At the price you want, you get what you are willing to pay for. Sometimes the truth hurts so if you don’t like it, bitch at me off line.

Any problems? Just call BR-549

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

NMguy

What are you using the bandsaw for?

For decents $400 quality range bandsaw, I would look into Grizzly’s bandsaw.
G0555 The Ultimate 14” Bandsaw
http://grizzly.com/products/G0555

G0555P 14” 1 HP Bandsaw, Polar Bear Series
http://www.grizzly.com/products/14-1-HP-Bandsaw-Polar-Bear-Series/G0555P

-- shdesign3.com

I have seen nothing but good things about the rikon and the delta closed stand so it all depends what you are willing to spend on it.

-- http://aewoodworks.webs.com

Yeah Garyp, I should probably apologize, but who would we then sell our better used stuff to? We really do need folks who insist on being bottom-feeders…

To be honest, it really gets old to hear for the xx-hundredth time ”I can’t afford this”... I am under-funded and don’t pay the ole’ lady what she deserves,... yada, yada, yada…

If you can’t afford the hobby, don’t make it your hobby…

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

I have the grizzly GO555 with the 6 inch riser block and it does an awesome job for me. Its done everything i ask and has never let me down.