Editor's Review: 14-in. Bandsaws Reviewed
by Tom Begnal
review date: January 1, 2002
The bandsaw is a versatile tool that rips, resaws, crosscuts, and cuts curves. And when the table is tilted, it makes all kinds of angle cuts, too. Plus it can be used to cut tenons, dovetails, and various other joints. The 14-in. size is good for most small shops, so we decided to test nine popular models on the market, evaluating them for wheel roundness, alignment, blade tension, and table flatness.
The Delta is a saw built for everyday use and the standard by which all other 14-in. bandsaws are measured. In one form or another, all of the cast-iron saws in this review are clones of this one. Several important parts, including the frame, wheels, trunnion, and table, are the beefiest of the bunch. The fence is our favorite. The test cuts were acceptable, with the motor showing less tendency to bog down when resawing. But it had a below-average score on the tension test. And it carries, by far, the highest price tag.
Editor Test Results:
| Blade Changing |
N/A |
| Table Flatness |
0.002 in dish |
| Frame Deflection |
N/A |
| Wheel Alignment |
0.080 in. |
| Runout |
0.015 in. upper; 0.011 in lower |
| Tension |
Tension at 3/4 in.: 10,000 psi |
| Quality of Cut |
N/A |
| Table-Lock Effectiveness |
N/A |
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