I do renovation work, which often calls for ripping 2x material into funky tapers to level floors, etc. My present bandsaw is 14″ and was made in Taiwan at the low point of quality control. It’s a true dog and in dire need of replacement.
So, I figure I need at least 14″ and 1 hp, and though I covet Delta machinery, cost plays a factor in the decision. The Jet 14″ is now listed on Amazon for $499, $100 off normal price.
Is it worth it?
Secondly, I’ve searched for bandsaw reviews, but the only one I can find is for resaw machines. Anyone know of a decent review (recent) on shop saws? (14″)
I have considered the Jet 16″, but from what I understand, the blade length is unique and can only be ordered from the mfgr, unless you have them custom made. Anyone have any opinions on this saw?
Thanks.
Replies
Don't worry about blade length! You can order to length from any of the major blade providers, no biggie, that's just the way bandsaw blades are. For instance, my Grizz takes some weird length, nobody makes 'em on the shelf that size. I just call up Suffolk Machinery (Timberwolf), they cut them and ship 'em the next day, no premium on price.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Didn't FWW have a review within the past year? I remember the issue covered jointers, thickness planers, shop design, putting in a floor over basement slab, etc. I'm certain there was an article on bandsaws.
Hate to sound like an ad agency shilling Louis Iturra, but he does produce a great catalog. I recommend it highly. I've got an ancient Delta, actually made in Milwaukee! You might, if time is not a constraint, keep your eyes open for an oldie.
I agree on looking for an older saw, youu can't go wrong. I don't know your location but try Hollywood machines, (Holly, Michigan 248-388-3379). They always have some great stuff.
I've got the Jet 14" saw and it's been good to me. It's the gold edition that came with the rip fence and miter gauge. I bought it a few years ago. It has a 1hp motor. I haven't needed to do anything this saw could not handle. I resawed 5" red oak with ease. I don't think you can go wrong for the money. I'll admit that I'm not an industrial type user, but for what I need it works great.
Just one suggestion... whatever saw you get, ditch the blade that comes with it and but a Timberwolf blade. you'll never regret that purchase.
-Bill
I also have the Jet 14" saw, and I like it a lot. Before I bought it, I did my usual agonizing over different models. I compared a bunch of 14" models: the Jet, Delta, a Grizzly, and the Ridgid. For me, comparing price and features, the Jet came out ahead, but I really can't say anything bad about the other brands. Well, I am happy I didn't purchase a Ridgid, now that the company has gone and finished itself off.
I've used the Jet for ripping, resawing, cutting veneers, and curved work. Mine also came with the newer fence, which is similar to the fence on the Jet contractor table saw -- it locks down nice and tight. The fence is also easy to adjust parallel to the miter slot.
The Jet blade guard can be loosened without falling onto the table -- an annoying problem with the Delta. I found the lower blade assembly easier to access on the Jet. Blade changing in general appears to be easier on the Jet, although I didn't have a chance to practice this on the Ridgid or the Grizzly.
The Jet has a slightly larger table than the Delta.
The Delta does have more substantial wheels.
Both the Jet and the Delta have inadequate tensioning rods. I recently replaced mine with a better crank mechanism.
No matter which saw you buy, get the Timberwolf blades. What an amazing difference these make! Smooth cuts, and absolutely no blade drift.
A band saw is one of the best tools in the shop, a tool you can fall in love with!
Edited 9/9/2003 3:14:43 PM ET by Matthew Schenker
Matt and everyone else who responded, thanks for the info and opinions. I think the 14" Jet will get the nod based primarily on cost. If I was going to spend $800 for a Delta, I would get the new 16" Jet instead.
Again, thanks all.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
ive got the jet, great saw. Go ahead and get the riser block so you dont waste your money on 94" blades when you upgrade to 105" blades...
Thanks, good point; I hadn't intended to, but now is the time, I suppose.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Hope this doesn't muddy up the waters for you again after you've decided, but it sounded like you really wanted the Jet 16 or the Delta 14. You might have a couple of new options to consider.
I just got the new Rockler flyer in the mail today. Looks like Jet has spruced up the JWBS-14CS bandsaw and has created a higher end 14" bandsaw (new model number JWBS-14DX) to go head to head with the Delta. It has the nine spoke wheels versus the five or six spoke wheel that seems to keep coming up in most of the tool reviews as a drawback when compared to the Delta. They've also added a quick release lever for the tension spring and a four inch dust collection port instead of the 2.5" that came with mine. I also checked TCOTN on Amazon and they've got it listed as a new model. Description there also lists that it's got a beefed up 1.25 HP motor, new upper/lower bearings, micro adjust blade guides, and a poly V belt. It looks like the price point is about $600 which probably explains why the "old" model's price has been dropped. THe price is the same in the Rockler flyer and on TCOTN. The flyer also has the Jet 16" bandsaw on sale for only $649.00, which is a very nice deal. Plus I think they might both be covered by the current Jet rebate. Rockler is also selling the older model Jet 14" saw for $499. They're also offering a $20 gift certificate with any of the three models.
If you do decide to go with the standard Jet 14" saw, you'll be happy. I've had mine for a couple of years and it's been a really good saw. I have no significant complaints aside from the dust collection port and having wished the wheels were a bit beefier (which they've addressed with the new model). I have to admit that if I were looking for a saw right now, I'd pick up the Jet 16. At that price, I could probably justify spending a few extra dollars without thinking too hard about it. No matter what you go with, I'm sure you'll be very pleased.
Miles
Edited 9/11/2003 1:49:52 AM ET by Miles
Edited 9/11/2003 2:05:21 AM ET by Miles
Miles,
I also took a look at the new Jet band saws and like them a lot. When I first got my 14" Jet, I was just learning how much this tool can accomplish. In the last couple of years, the band saw has become the second most used tool in my shop (following close behind the router).
But there have been occasions when I wanted more power/capacity. And these occasions are becoming more frequent as time goes on. For example, two days ago, I installed the jet riser block. I was resawing a 10"-wide maple panel yesterday and noticed that the saw bogged down noticeably, even though I was feeding very slowly and using a 1/2" Timberwolf blade. There have also been times when I needed to cut a wider panel and didn't have enough throat capacity. In each of these cases, I thought, "Maybe I should have bought an 18" band saw?" But when I bought the saw, I really didn't think I would ever need such capacity.
This is something to think about if you're in the market for your first band saw. If I could go back in time, perhaps I would have bought the 18" Jet, or even a 20" Grizzly. But this is always the story with tools -- you have to see for yourself what a tool can do. You also need to assess what you need it for. Everybody is different. For many people, they may not come to ue their band saw as much as I have, and for them 14" may be enough for the long-term. Of course, many times having a new tool opens up new possibilities, so your idea of what you can use the tool for changes with the tool itself.
You're absolutely right. Those new Jet bandsaws are really nice. I'd probably buy one if I were in the market today for my first bandsaw. Honestly though, I'm one of those guys who buys tools with the thought that I'll have them for a lifetime and make sure I buy the best tools I can find while giving some consideration to overall value. I've made a few purchases along the way that I've regretted and have later replaced them with what I should have purchased the first time, but that's been the exception rather than the rule, so I figure I'm ahead.
I've got a Jet tablesaw and a Jet bandsaw and I'm extremely happy with both of them (with the exception of that 2.5" dust collection port on the bandsaw and that positively AWFUL blade guard/splitter that came on the tablesaw.) I wouldn't hesitate to make the same purchases again, but I hear exactly what you're saying. Sometimes you just wish there were a little more power or capacity and at those moments you realize that you're really pushing the envelope of what you thought you'd need. It's funny because you really don't ever know where your skills and interests are going to take you. It just unfolds over time and the next thing you realize, you're seriously considering tools that you never would have imagined you'd need.
If you were a tool, you would be a monkee wrench. I was just sitting down to make the order on the 14" Jet at 499 at TCOTN. Now you've thrown a wrench in the works. My biggest concern with the 16" is height. My basement shop has low headroom (about 88") and I can't find out how tall the 16 incher is; all of the sites I've looked at either don't list the 16" model, or have few details.
Thanks for the timely info, I'll have to check into the upgraded 14" and start the whole decision process over again.
This is almost as bad as my wife trying to pick out curtains.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I'm really sorry about throwing a wrench into the works, but we've got to look out for each other, right?
I've got an even worse case of low headroom so I truly feel your pain. Actually, yours sounds absolutely towering comparatively speaking. I have about 70" to the bottoms of the joists in my basement shop. Fortunately, I have a 1" clearance, not being an especially tall guy, so it seems to work for me. With the mobile base I have on my 14" bandsaw, it just BARELY clears the joists. I was extremely disappointed to discover I couldn't put a riser block on mine after I got it home and assembled it. I've tried to convince my better half that we NEED to raise the house by at least 30" so I can store my sheet goods vertically on end and install the riser block so I can resaw those reclaimed doug fir beams I've been eyeing at the local salvage yard but it's a tough sell and she's not going for it. I thought it was a really strong argument, too. Go figure.
I can help with your question. By sheer coincidence, the Western Tool Supply near my office had their open house today. That meant there was a strong chance that the 16x32 Performax wide belt sander was going to go home with me, but I displayed extraordinary self control. It was horribly challenging since they had 10% off Delta, Jet, PM, Performax, Senco, and lots of other specials, not to mention the free BBQ lunch. (Really, I couldn't figure out where I'd put it despite the fact that I've been pondering the question for the better part of a year. Plus, if you thought it was tough selling her on raising the house...) Anyway, they had stacks of the new 2004 Jet catalog amongst others, one of which I happen to have sitting on my desk right now. Both the Jet 16" and 18" saws have a total height of 71", which should easily work in your shop.
I have to take issue with your comparison to curtain shopping: I've met curtains I didn't like.
Good luck & be sure to let us know where you end up.
Miles, if the LOYL will not let you raise the house - Jim Tolpin managed to convince his otehr half - then you will just HAVE TO buy a horizontal band for your resawing.
Miles, It looks like you might have to cut the legs of your bandsaw to gain the headroom.
Or, if you don't mind the dust, (And can send the wife away for a week), you can cut through the concrete floor to create a neat 'Well' to accomodate the machine.
That 'Cement' floor is probably only two inches thick and the soil beneath will yield to a shovel. Stein.
Edited 9/15/2003 5:37:09 AM ET by steinmetz
Interesting thought. I know the floor is easy since I jackhammered out a trench to put in a new sewer line after we moved in. Maybe instead of raising the house, I should lower the basement?
The timing might be pretty good. She is going to visit her mother next month... :-)
To come to Miles' defence, I will say that a monkey wrench can be a very useful tool at times like this! I have been in your shoes many times (I was there this week with a Festool purchase), so I understand what you're going through.
Yes, it is frustrating to try and make a final decision about which power tool to buy, especially when it is one as central to a woodshop as a band saw. For myself, I agonize over every single tool decision. I create lists, then I use Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets with various columns comparing each tool's features and capacities. I get all kinds of feedback from other woodworkers. Every time I have been patient and done my research, I have been very happy I did. And just about every time I just jumped in and bought something quickly, I have regretted it.
As you are considering all the feedback and doing your comparisons, the most important question to ask is "What will I use this tool for?" You will find saws for example the might have capacities and features that sound great, but will you use that feature? The best thing is when you get feedback from fellow woodworkers who use their tool the same way you want to use yours. They'll be able to help you the most because they not only have experience owning the tool -- they also have experience accomplishing the same goals you want to accomplish, which is a big difference!
Feel free to ask any more questions...
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