Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 13, 2009 03:29pm | #1

   All I can say is my 18 inck bandsaw takes forever to stop. A foot brake would be nice to have. I could probably make one for much less than $100 but I never got around to it.

2. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 13, 2009 03:29pm | #2

   It is a safety issue.  A good band saw will run forever after it is cut off.  I really like the brake and would recommend you spend the extra money. 

   bob

1. 
   remodlrj | Dec 13, 2009 04:50pm | #5

   With the motor brake, after it engages what does it take to disengage it? Is it a mechanical brake or an electrical cutoff. Does it effect the useful life of the motor if it engages often?

1. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 13, 2009 05:22pm | #6

   The brake is mechanical, just like the brake on your car, the harder you push the faster it stops.  It has a switch that shuts down the power when you engage the brake, as soon as you release the brake the power comes back on.  I really don't see much that can go wrong with the system to need repairs.  I know of some saws in daily use that have never had any issues with the brake.  The flywheels on these saws are large and they will run for several minutes after they are cut off.  They running so quite with the power off unless you are paying attention you wouldn't know the blade is moving.  I can easily see how someone could be hurt by a saw that is cut off.

   bob

1. 
   remodlrj | Dec 13, 2009 05:29pm | #7

   It sounds like you are talking about a foot brake? (ie the harder you push the faster it stops) I might be wrong but I thought the motor brake is built into the motor housing. I looked at the parts list for a schematic and that is where it showed the brake to me. In my mind the foot brake would be more ideal as you get to choose when it is engaged. Unfortunately the model I am looking at doesn't have that option.

1. 
   bob_barnett | Dec 13, 2009 06:01pm | #8

   According to Cool Hand Luke we had a failure to communicate.  :)

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/19-3-HP-Extreme-Series-Bandsaw-with-Brake/G0514X2B 

   This is the one I am using, which has the mechanical foot brake.  I agree that there could be issues with an electronic motor brake over the life of the saw.  That might steer me away from that option or even to a different saw.  I do think you need to weigh the decision because those blades run for a long time without some type of brake. 

   bob

2. 
   Quantun | Dec 13, 2009 07:55pm | #9

   For a $100.00,the motor Brake is the way to go.I think the mechanical is being phase out via some big brother organization.(the Feds)The foot brake(mechanical)is a pain the neck,your foot could slip off of it,maybe lose your balance and what would the first thing, you would be grab? The blade,the blade guide? $100.00 is cheap and the safer way to go. My saw is a Pbs 540 and the foot pressure needed to stop the cast iron wheels is like using non-power brakes in your truck,if anybody here remembers how they were.My bandsaw is in good condition,along with the brake assembly.It works as designed. Q

3. 
   remodlrj | Dec 14, 2009 09:08pm | #12

   I called Grizzly today and got the scoop on the motor brake. I thought it was a feature that was designed into the motor along the same premise as the sawstop. I guess its an electrical function that just engages every time you shut off the motor. I guess I'm programmed to the switch on my current bandsaw that is down underneath the table and would not be quick to get to in emergency. Thanks for your input. They swear they haven't had any problems with the motors that contain the brakes, so for $100 why not embrace the future.

4. 
   Quantun | Dec 15, 2009 06:30am | #13

   That type of brake has been in use for a long time,in industry,its found on conveyors,cranes,spinning machinery,etc.. Its the only way to go,also it will stop the blade in a very short fixed time,every time. Good luck with your new bandsaw! Q

5. 
   remodlrj | Dec 13, 2009 11:00pm | #10

   Thanks Bob for your input and clarifying the saw you were talking about. It all makes more sense now. The seventeen inch saw is bigger than I was going to go with originally as it is. I just can't see upgrading any further at this point. I've been working with a make-shift broken down 14" model for so long that I've shifted all my efforts away from the bandsaw. Hopefully that will all change once I get re-accustomed to working with a decent tool. I think I'll go with the GO513X2B and hope it works out. The saw has all the capacities and features I believe I need. I still don't get what causes the break to engage and what you do to disengage it. Is it a change in tension? Or what?

6. 
   rwdare | Dec 19, 2009 04:51pm | #15

   The "motor" brake is called dynamic braking. It works by cross-connecting the windings thru the n.c. side of the switch turning the motor into a generator which causes induction drag. Railroad locomotives use this type of brake.

   Once the motor comes to a stop, the circuit is inert. Pushing the on button disconnects the braking circuit

3. 
   gofigure57 | Dec 13, 2009 04:14pm | #3

   worth it.

1. 
   woodenhead | Dec 19, 2009 11:44am | #14

   I would like to know the pros & cons of the

   636 i an thinking of purchasing one. Thanks

4. 
   islandman | Dec 13, 2009 04:21pm | #4

   I've got the Grizzly 636 bandsaw.  It has a foot break and had an option for a motor brake.  I decided not to get the motor break and have been quite satisfied with the foot break.  It just seems like a motor break is something else to breakdown.

5. 
   blewcrowe | Dec 14, 2009 04:10pm | #11

   For me, I've never used the brake on my Minimax. Not once.

    

   Denny

6. 
   Tinkerer3 | Dec 19, 2009 10:02pm | #16

   I have the MM16 and believe it has both the motor brake and the foot brake. The reason I think it has the motor brake is because it doesn't coast excessively. As I understand, the motor brake is not too different from the motor propulsion. It should be pretty dependable. I have a radial arm saw that has a motor brake. The saw is over forty eight years old. The bearings and one starting condenser were recently replaced but the motor brake is still working well.

1. 
   remodlrj | Feb 23, 2010 09:55am | #17

   This is just an updated comment on my purchase of the GO513X2B. I couldn't be more pleased with the saw. I am doing things with this bandsaw that years ago I gave up on with my old unit. I find myself turning to the bandsaw more often for things I would turn to do on my table saw before. Resawing is fantastic and opens up many more options for my projects that I wouldn't attempt before. The motor brake is a great feature that just stops the blade as soon as the saw is turned off. I was assured by the Grizzly people that failure of the motor brake feature just wasn't an issue and it's comforting to have the blade stop when I have to clear debris away after making a cut without waiting for the blade to coast to a stop. In every way I give the saw two thumbs up. Even changing blades and adjusting the guide bearings is becoming easier now that I'm getting the hang of it. Thanks for all your inputs and advise, it always eases my comfort level in making decisions after consulting this board.

1. 
   JohnWW | Feb 23, 2010 07:07pm | #18

   Just curious, how quickly does the brake bring the blade to a halt?  Almost instantly or does it take several seconds?

1. 
   remodlrj | Feb 25, 2010 11:11am | #19

   The blade stops in the as advertised " less than three seconds". In fact they recommend calling support if the blade doesn't stop in less than 5 seconds.