Replies

1. 
   BG | May 21, 2005 04:00am | #1

   Tony,
   I think Wilke Machinery has the Bridgewood line...
   http://www.wilkemachinery.com/SalesFlyer.tpl?cart=1116637121217825

    

1. 
   woodworker418 | May 21, 2005 04:52am | #2

   thx

2. 
   mikegagne | May 21, 2005 10:06am | #3

   They dont have very good equipment. Their bandsaw is one of the worst I have used. I had to bite my tongue when my friend was raving about his new one and I was appalled at it. Look at MiniMax, Laguna and a few others also. Good luck on your choice, aloha, Mike

1. 
   mgumaer | May 21, 2005 02:41pm | #4

   Mike, I don't have enough bandsaw experience to judge myself but, one of the places I buy wood 'upgraded' their bandsaw from a Laguna to a Bridgewood and the owner was raving about the Bridgewood (asked me if I was interested in the Laguna).
   Personally, its hard for me to imagine that once you get to saws of that caliber there is a huge difference in quality (although there may be different features, capacity, power, etc. depending on model).
   What was it about the Bridgewood you found so objectionable?Matt

1. 
   woodygnott | May 21, 2005 03:04pm | #5

   Gee, a current discussion on the quality of bandsaws!

   Anyone have any personal experience with Central Machinery's 14" 4 speed model (#32208)?

   I'm afraid I've already ordered one and now I'm a little concerned, having read some (2 and 3 year old) remarks on the inferior quality of Harbor Freights power tools, in general. 

   I was trying to avoid having to convince my wife I need a $600. JET, or other COMPARABLE saw, so when I found THIS one for <$300., I ordered it.

   ANY ADVICE will be appreciated,                          THANKS

2. 
   mikegagne | May 22, 2005 07:59am | #6

   This was 3 years ago but the table to trunion connection was the weakest weirdest operating mechanism I have ever seen. He was into machining so we actually ended up repairing the table connection ourselves a few months later when he couldnt get it to remain at 90 degrees or square to the blade. The whole mechanism would come loose. I personally thought the MiniMax looked like a great tool. Bridgewood may have corrected those issues since then and I would check it thoroughly before a purchase. Aloha, Mike