installing mobile base on Grizzly 17" Extreme Bandsaw

I think that you should go with the larger model, it is better to deal with the headache of setup for a day than regret for years. I’ve set up other 17” bandsaws, and it really does take two fit men to do it, so try to find one more person to help. Dont worry about the tailgate, most trucks will handle up to 1000 lbs for a short period. the 482lbs is less than the weight of 3 grown men sitting on the tailgate, you wouildnt worry about that, would you?

I got the 17” Grizzly extreme bandsaw about 4 months ago. It came almost fully assembled. I just had to install the table. The delivery guy even helped me get it back to the garage. I did need the help of a couple other guys to get it off the truck. If you don’t have the help, pay the extra for the delivery company to take it off the truck for you. You have to ask for this upfront when you order the unit or it will cost more to have it done after the fact.

I also got the mobile base for the unit from grizzly. I think it’s a shop fox brand. The base comes with instructions on how to install the band saw onto the unit. I did this by myself and had very little trouble with it. If you have a helper it should be easy.

So far I really like mine. I have used it to resaw some oak and cut out the parts for 5 adirondack chairs. It works well. I have no complaints. I went to a local saw blade store and picked up a 1” blade to do the resawing and I don’t know why anyone would ever pay for expensive blades. I think i paid about 16 bucks. Just made sure the saw was tuned correctly and I got nice straight cuts.

Definitely get the 17” saw!

-- dan "insert pithy woodworking coment here"

I have a Jet 18 inch bandsaw. I installed the mobile base by myself ( I’m 56). It weighs 400# but is easy to tilt onto 2×4’ to get the mobile base under it. With your son it should be easy.

When I bought the saw from the owner I was thinking of using my 4’X8” trailer to bring it home, laying down of course. I was concerned about its 400# weight. So I rented a truck from Enterprise with a lift gate. ( I rented the small truck but they gave me the 24” truck. A massive truck to transport 1 saw.) I moved the saw, with the owners help to the liftgate, on my hand truck. I realized I could have moved it myself on the hand truck I brought. I found the liftgate overkill. When I got home I had a freind help me with it. 2 people made it very easier, but I could have done it myself.

So with you sons help I would go for the 17 inch saw.

Dave