Have I found my bandsaw on craigslist?

I would not recommend any bandsaw smaller than 14”,with $250 you should be able to get an older 14” BS .

-- Ken from Ontario, Canada

Around where I live (Pittsburgh area), I see Ridgids, Craftsmans, Porter Cable import 14” machines pop up for around $150-175. I see Harbor Freight and similar machines for $100-150. I paid $250 for a vintage 14” Delta with a deco base. I wouldn’t pay that much for a 12”, unless you are desperate, but it really depends on where you live and how far you have to drive to a metropolitan area.

-- Nicholas

I agree, $250 is too much for a 12”. Wait it out and get a 14” saw. They have a lot more capacity, especially with a riser block.

-- Tristin King -- When in doubt, sand it.

Chris, I feel your pain. It’s really rare to find good quality woodworking tools in Arkansas. I live in central Arkansas and check the Little Rock CL every day and there is rarely anything worth checking out. That planer looks like it might be a decent deal.

-- Richard, Hot Springs, Ar -- Galoot In Training

Yeah, it totally depends where you live. I see good stuff around Pittsburgh, PA all the time and just wait till I find something that someone is literally giving away. I posted a wanted ad for a planer and got exactly what I was looking for a few weeks later.

-- Nicholas

Alright thanks guys. I do not see much where I live … even when I expand my search to a 2-3 hour drive away. The 14 inch saws in my area are way over priced or just not as abundant in my area. I will stay on the hunt. thanks

I have posted a couple different forum topics with potential bandsaws I am looking at on craigslist [...]

You will never get a good deal if you take the time to go online and ask for opinions.. you may get it for a pretty good price, but the really great scores have to be pounced on fast or they are gone before you know it.. Know what you want, stay patient, then jump on it when one comes along. Don’t know how many great deals I’ve missed out on because I didn’t act fast enough.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid

Yes, what Brad said. A lot of the good deals are the ones you catch within the first 30-45 minutes of being posted, unless it’s something less desirable, like a radial arm saw.

-- Nicholas

Not sure where you are in Ark. but check Tulsa CL as I see better deals than you posted.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

It’s funny you would say that, Andy.

I usually find the better deals in Fayetteville and Ft. Smith. I got my Rockwell model 10 TS for $150 in Fayetteville, when the same saw was listed for $350 in Jenks. However, just like Chris, I haven’t found a band saw on CL yet in AR or OK that I’ve wanted to jump for. (I did pick up a pair of Jorgensen 40” parallel clamps on Saturday, though)
Thanks,
Aaron

-- Aaron, Tulsa OK

It does make me feel less crazy to hear from Aaron and Andy. I agree that there are some good deals on wood working tools in the area if you act fast. But, when it comes to finding a good, fair priced 14 inch bandsaw on cragislist, I have only seen one in the past 6 months. I have been close to pulling the trigger on a couple smaller models but fellow lumberjocks have kept me from taking the plunge each time. Thanks again all.

12” band saw for $250? No to that.

-- "someone has to be wounded for others to be saved, someone has to sacrifice for others to feel happiness, someone has to die so others could live"