Replies

1. 
   jc21 | Oct 24, 2005 06:04am | #1

   I'd disagree with your Woodcraft guy about the Jet being the best buy; Grizzly's soon to be discontinued G0514 is $895 + $82.25 shipping -tough to beat pricewise and it did well in a recent WOOD magazine bandsaw test. http://www.grizzly.com/products/item.aspx?itemnumber=G0514

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 24, 2005 07:29pm | #4

   I've just never thought of Grizzly as a quality machine. I'm really looking for something that with blade changes I do everything from resawing to the fine work I need for furniture.

1. 
   jc21 | Oct 25, 2005 04:36pm | #11

   I don't think there's a perfect do it all bandsaw. The larger machines have the capacity and power for resawing but their stacked roller or Euro style guides seem to be a lot more trouble to set up for small blades than cool blocks. My S14 Minimax has stacked rollers which work well with wider blades but have been a bit finicky to set up for small blades.  Minimax has cool block conversion kits for their bigger saws (MM16 etc.) http://www.minimax-usa.com/access-band.html Next year I hope to spring a bigger saw dedicated to resawing and keep the S14 for smaller work.

1. 
   DustyTom | Oct 25, 2005 07:34pm | #12

   I have had my Jet 18" BS for a couple of years now. As a serious hobbiest, it does everything I ask of it. It worked well right out of the crate and I haven't had to do much fiddling with it since then. The stock blade was junk, but I expected that, and had several premium quality blades on order pronto. If I had it to do over again I would buy the Jet again. My first Jet purchase was the 6" jointer. I really liked the quality for the money so that is what pushed me over to get the Jet BS. At the time I ordered it Amazon was offering a free upgrade to roller guides and free shipping to my door. Couldn't beat it.

   Good Luck!

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 25, 2005 09:07pm | #13

   I appreciate hearing your good experience with the Jet 18" bandsaw. I've had several people around town confirm your experience. Thanks

2. 
   BarryO | Oct 25, 2005 11:53am | #9

   Do you know why they are discontinuing the G0514?  I was at Grizzly HQ in August and spent some time looking at the bandsaws; that one was pretty nice.  I was planning on getting it as a replacement next year; just not ready to pull the trigger yet.

1. 
   jc21 | Oct 25, 2005 04:03pm | #10

   Just a guess on my part but I suspect it wasn't a big seller. Grizzly seems to be moving towards Chinese manufactured machines (as they have with jointers like the G0586)-  I believe the current line is made in Taiwan and I wouldn't be surprised if the machine that replaces it comes from China.

2. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 24, 2005 05:55pm | #2

   I got the RIKON 18".. I looked at the Jet and I thought the ricon was better.. Just me though.. Not knockin' the Jet..

   More than happy with my BS... Geeeee. I just looked at that BS.. Well, I'll leave it...

1. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 29, 2005 08:42pm | #19

   Look at my old post... http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=20978.1At least you see 'out of the box and my comments.. For what its worth..EDIT:: Dang I sent it to myself??
   Just a old post with a few PIC of the RICON 18 inch as delivered...

   Edited 10/29/2005 1:46 pm by WillGeorge

1. 
   urbman | Oct 30, 2005 06:20am | #21

   I'd be careful with MiniMax they jerked my boss
   around quite a bit. His miter slot was poorly
   milled and would not allow a miter gauge to
   slide the complete length of the slot.They wouldn't do anything about it until
   he put a stop payment on his credit card
   and told them to come and get it.I felt like a #### heel beacause I had
   been the one to recommend MM.

3. 
   tap5055 | Oct 24, 2005 06:02pm | #3

   I agree with the other post about Jet not being the best buy.  I have been looking around for a bigger/better saw and I really wasn't very impressed with the Jet.  Seemed somewhat flimsy.  They upgraded it to the "18X" which appears to be an improvement,  but the guides and so forth still seem weak to me.  I looked at the Delta as well and although I liked it better, I was disappointed with it as well. 

   In the meantime I got Iturra Design's catalog and have read quite a bit about saws in it.  It heavily recommended the Mini Max compared to other models, but the price is scary being around @$2400 plus shipping.  Iturra recommends older saws due to more weight and details, but I still am not sure.  Laguna looks to be pretty good, but is high dollar as well.  I saw a Lobo on ebay, but I don' t know whether it is a good tool or not.  I would love to have a  Tannewitz, but 36 inch wheels and 3 phase power add up to too much for me.

   I want a heftier saw as my 10 yr old 14 inch Delta with an open base and height attachment doesn't have enough power for me.  If I buy a bigger motor (1.5 - 2), fence, and guides, will I be better off or should I just buy a used or new saw with what I want on it in the first place.

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 24, 2005 07:37pm | #5

   I think the older/proven equipment is worth the effort, but finding the right machine is tough. However, I do think the four basics: bandsaw, cabinet saw, joiner, planner should be the "best" that we can afford and buy.I'm in the fun/scary position of replacing all four as soon as we return from Hawaii. I sold my prior equipment (lots of Sears stuff--there I've admitted it to the world!) so I'm really doing a lot of shopping.Anyone with experience dealing with Southern Tools out of Tennessee? I've talked to them and they seem to be service minded with a good understanding of their equipment. I"m primarily interested in Powermatic, but just haven't decided on the bandsaw yet?

1. 
   tap5055 | Oct 24, 2005 07:46pm | #6

   Well, I am good on 3 of 4.  Powermatic 66 saw, love it.  Delta DJ-20 jointer, quite happy.  Grizzly 1021 planer, quite happy.  Piece of junk bandsaw with 1/2hp motor has me ticked off, but I also want to upgrade my dust collector to a cyclone, get a shaper, get a router lift, buy more lie nielson planes, build a bigger better bench.  I will be broke and in the dog house with my wife the way I am going.

2. 
   dukeone | Oct 25, 2005 02:02am | #7

   Geo: I've dealt with Southern Tool, not so good in my one experience with them. I ordered my Wilton drill press, waited three weeks, several phone calls, canceled the order. Had the d.p. here from Graingers in four days. Two weeks later I get a call from local shipping company: When do you want your drill press delivered? Pretty funny, I didn't really lose anything except the three week wait but Southern Tool lost out on two way shipping for that machine. Just to be sure were talking about the same place this is the site:

   http://www.southern-tool.com/

   Duke

   Kenneth Duke MastersThe Bill of Rights December 15 1791NRA Endowment MemberLEAA Life MemberCRPA Member

   Edited 10/24/2005 7:06 pm ET by dukeone

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 25, 2005 03:22am | #8

   That is one and the same Southern Tool Co. Since TN has no sales tax and they offer free shipping it looked like a good deal..but then if they don't ship, that shouldn't cost much! I'll take a look at Graingers. Since I'll be spending about $10k I sure want good service.thanks for info..George

4. 
   notDusty | Oct 26, 2005 06:30am | #14

      geo ,

                   Check with the used machinery houses in your area , see if you can find an old Davis & Wells 18 or 20" . That era is the real deal . The cost will be similar to a new import .Walker Turner and Crescent are several other good old brands .

                     good luck             dusty

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 26, 2005 11:20am | #15

   notDustyThanks for the advice. Any leads where I might start looking? I will be living in Hendersonville, NC (Western NC) just south of Asheville.George

1. 
   notDusty | Oct 26, 2005 04:52pm | #16

   geo,

               I would check the yellow pages of the several largest towns near you for woodworking equipment / machinery , make a few calls and they should lead you to the source .

                    good   luck            dusty

5. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 27, 2005 03:16am | #17

   geo

   I have an 18" Jet.  It's ok.  I had to buy an old Tannewitz to be able to resaw, because the Jet is just too inconsistent, even with all the tuning and tinkering you can imagine.  I use it for cutting curves, and do all resawing (which I do alot)  on the 36" tannewitz.

   I've heard good things about the Rikon from several folks here, but I haven't used it myself.  Everybody is different, but for me, a bandsaw that can't resaw "well" is as worthless as you know what's on a bull!!

   Jeff

1. 
   [email protected] | Oct 27, 2005 04:51am | #18

   Jeff,
   I absolutely agree about resawing capability. That is the only reason I want an 18" otherwise I'd just go with a 14". Thanks for your experience.

2. 
   alias | Oct 30, 2005 02:27am | #20

   i agree with everything you said, for the resawing i tried several diffrent blades, tweaked and tweaked and .......... and still came out with iffy results. would of spent the extra for a laguna or mini-max . i had it 6 months fried the motor , the wheels in my estimation are spindly, two of the bottom bearing sounded like they had gravel in them after two months. they sent me all new F.A.G. bearings, and the motor both very quickly. customers service was very helpful, and polite. they beefed up the trunnion,and the motor from 1 1/2 hp to 1 3/4 hp . and also the resawing capabilities to 12" instaed mine which is 10". i was thinking of going with a diffrent drive pulley (smaller i think ) would do that, to speed the r.p.m up. and go with link belts. see if that would help, but then again maybe it's the operator. any ideas you may have ?? thanks and good luck............" Feed the good wolf....."