That saw is sort of a copy of the General 15" saw
which is a really fine saw. I think the Grizzly
version is a 16" saw.

... also similar to a Powermatic 141.

 

I'm not familar with that particular BS, but I wouldn't pay $395 if it were 2 minutes away from my house, much less 2 hours. You can get a brand new Porter Cable band saw at Lowes for $400. The new Craftsman 14" looks pretty nice and is also around $400.

I occasionally see better deals in the Winchester and Charlottesville CL. I frequently see better deals in the Washington CL.
Here is a listing you might find helpful.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3550548269.html NICE Grizzly G0555 for $350. Near Leesburg, VA

 

Thanks Loren and Tedstor. I've already put in a query on the G0555, which I spotted last night. We'll see.

Since the seller of the one I posted did not tell me the model number, it's hard to know what it is and whether it is a copy of the General 15". I hate to drive 2 hours with incomplete information.

 

I hate to drive 2 hours with incomplete information.

never travel a distance of any magnitude unless all your questions about the machine are answered and all negotiations about price have been completed. otherwise, the leverage rests with the seller. also, that saw isn't worth $395. more like $200-250, at most, even with the mobile base. just my $.02.

 

The G0555 is a very good saw for the money. I bought a new G0555LX with which I'm very pleased.
Run away from the Porter Cable and Craftsman new stuff.
Bill

 

I just checked the Grizzly web site and they are advertising a G0555" bandsaw with the delivered price of $624. I would not pay this much for a used and older saw.

 

Thanks for the additional advice. The Grizzly G0555 that Tedstor referenced went like a hot cake, and is no longer available. Consensus seems to suggest that I can do a lot better than the one I referenced in my original post.

 

Bill, just curious, what are the issues you have seen with the new Craftsman saw? I am heavily considering picking up the new Craftsman 14" saw. It is basically the Rikon 10-320 without a fence. Aside from the strange blade size (in which timberwolf and wood slicer blades are readily available for) it seems to be a decent saw for the money.

 

Seems way expensive to me. Probably 200-250 dollar Deltas out there all day long.

 

If I were buying a used Grizzly saw I'd take the 16"
over the 14" design. That style of saw (Powermatic/General
pattern) generally have a one piece body casting and you'll
probably find they are substantially heavier and
more rigid than the 2 and 3 part castings on
the common 14 inch cast iron saws.

 

I would take the advice the others have provided. That's a lot of money for an older model used saw. I bought this Craftsman 14-Inch Band Saw Item# 00932607000 Model# BAS350 after doing some research and it's a great saw. It's the only Craftsman power tool I own and I was skeptical like most everyone is of Craftsman tools (My shop is all Grizzly and Delta and Dewalt equipment) but I figured I would take the plunge and the worst case scenario was I could return it to my local store. I didn't need to do that because I have been very happy with it and it's on sale right now for $384. Cheaper than the used one and comes with a warranty!

 

I wont take the 14" Grizzly bandsaw. $395 is too much to pay. I'd rather purchase new one. The owner didn't even give any information about the real condition of the band saw. There are lots of things you have to consider in buying used band saw . You should take the advice.

 

Thank you Surfside for the very informative and helpful link of advice on what to look for in a used band saw. Very helpful and thanks to all for adding to this forum.

 

Lumberjoe, I have been so put off with the general Craftsman line of power tools that I don''t even consider them when looking at new tooling for my home or professional workshop. Price point vs: quality has become the C'man mantra. Plus, the local store(s) is staffed with folks who don't have a clue.
At the very least, most Rikon dealers have a staff that understands what a saw is.
Just my thoughts, and I do own older C'man tools that are bullet proof after many years of service.
I think that is a shame that a once quality brand has become so degraded.
Wonder why nobody from Sears ever chimes in?
Bill

 

Don't know whether it matters to you, but that Grizzly 16" saw is limited to it's fixed resaw height. In other words, you can't put a riser block on it, as the frame is one-piece.

 

Thanks Bill, and thanks also Rob for the first hand experience. As far as retail staff goes, I do appreciate the advice I get from the extremely knowledgeable people at my woodcraft. However when i go to the store to buy a big ticket item, it is because I have already researched it and don't need any more help. The only thing I expect at a retail establishment is for me to say "I'll take one of these" and the staff member to say "sure let me get it".

I will also agree and disagree about Craftsman quality. My miter saw is a piece of garbage, but I got it as a gift about 7 years ago - before I even had an interest in woodworking. I used it to put up new trim in every room of my old house. Not one miter was straight, but I made it though the project. I don't think i have used it more than 6 times in the past 2 years. My new craftsman professional router on the other hand is amazing. Check out the review I did here. It is by far the best plunge router I have ever used. I wouldn't trade it for anything short of the Festool OF1400

 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. The advice has been very helpful.

A guy here very close to me has what he tells me is an IMS WBS14-1 that he's trying to sell for $200. I have an appointment to go look at it tomorrow (his ad doesn't say much; he claims it's 1 hp and its used but in good working order, whatever that means). Anybody heard of IMS as a manufacturer of band saws? I can't find anything on this model. If it's an off brand, finding parts would be difficult, which would give me considerable pause.

I appreciate any further thoughts. Thanks.

 

Is it possible he got the model numbers wrong? I've never heard of an IMS WBS14 (googling shows this is an Integrated Motion Systems security camera set up), but JET made a WBS14. I believe it is the old blue one.

 

Baileigh industrial have WBS14 bandsaw too. But I found this site . As I thoroughly checked the site, they don't have the WBS -14 but the band saws they are selling are Jet bandsaws. So, the guy's bandsaw must be from Jet. SteveInVa , keep us posted. Goodluck buddy.

 

Craigslist has been quiet since I first posted my query. I now have my eye on a Delta 28-280 in excellent condition with fence and rolling base. He's asking $400 (plus about a 100 mile drive). He's also selling a Delta planer, the 22-560 (he has not said a price; if it were in very good condition, I thought of offering 150).

What advice can you give me about the 28-280? Is the planer worth getting, or should I wait for a three-knife model (perhaps one of the more recent Dewalt models). Thanks all for the earlier advice. I appreciate any insights you might offer on this.

 

Though Delta discontinued that model, it wouldn't be hard to find parts. This model has similar
saw , the 28-206. IMO, it's a great saw.Try to make some research about that model too. Do you
think $150 is kind of big price to offer for the planner?What do you need from a band saw exactly?
well, if you got the feeling that you really need this band saw, take it.Besides, It will take only you
almost 2hour drive to get that band saw ,yea I know 100 miles is pretty quite a long drive.

 

Just my two cents…I bought a used craftsman band saw a few years ago from a neighbor who was being transferred to the east coast. So far I've replaced just about every bearing in the darn saw…Sears is NO HELP trust me on that! Now the on off switch is broken with no parts available from Sears.Yea!!!
Buy a NEW SAW…...the little extra money now will be worth it in the end. I'd go Rikon if I bought another band saw. I'm thrifty at heart but it's burnt me more than saved me money lately.

Steve