I’ve been looking for a bandsaw that I can re-saw some hunks of wood I have.
There is a 14″ delta in Craigslist that has 2 speeds.
So you can gear it down for re-sawing.
I plan on buying the extention block so it will have 12 1/4″ under the guide.
It looks good and the price is ok but it is 3/4 hp.
Delta makes the 14″ saw with 1 hp and 1 1/2 hp as well.
Will the geared down 3/4 hp work for re-sawing a few hunks of wood?
Has anyone used the 3/4 hp for re-sawing? How did it go? Was the wood close to 12″ thick?
I don’t want to buy an underpowered saw for re-sawing. I don’t have alot of wood to re-saw.
Should I keep looking? 1 hp at the least? thanks!
Replies
3/4 horse - just make sure that 2 of the 3 are hind legs. ;-)
Someone with greater re-sawing experience than I will surely provide a more rational answer.
Popa, The bandsaw is a
Popa,
The bandsaw is a terrific tool and, once you get used to it, you'll probably find more uses than you currently imagine. I resaw all the time, I hardly ever buy plywood. I just slab up some re-cycled 4x4's and glue up my panels.
I got a very good price on my Delta 1hp. about 5 years ago. Both the Delta and Grizzly were $400 delivered. I bought the Delta cause it was local...and I did not have to wait. What I did not realize was the add-on block was $125 for the Delta and $65 for the Grizzly. I never did buy the add-on block so I'm limited to 7" resaw....which has not been an issue. The one time I needed 10" resaw for drawers I just resawed two 5" pieces and glued them together.
My point is, it really doesn't matter that much, there are always work arounds. The 1 1/2 hp models are sweet and usually have cast iron wheels so they cut smoother and quieter. My 1hp is adequate for all i've asked of it. The 3/4hp might be a bit slower but ...if it runs well....
I have a small bandsaw that I like
I've tried to re-saw with my small saw and it won't do it.
It's a good little saw but it just doesn't have the capacity. It was not designed for re-sawing.
If I re-saw these pieces I have I want to keep them as large as possible.
I will be getting the riser block to re-saw them.
I like the way these saws can expand to 12" height but I'm concerned if a 3/4 hp has enough power to re-saw 12".
As far as I know all the 14" saws can take a riser block but they go from 1/2 hp to 1 1/2 hp.
Why would they offer more hp if 1/2 hp would do the trick?
Will a 3/4 hp saw with a riser block re-saw 12" stock?
That's 12" thick stock with 12" of blade in the cut.
Popa,
3/4 horse for resawing 12 inch material will make for very slow going. You said you only need to do a few pieces, so it will probably work all right for that. But if you're going to do more of it a more powerful motor would be a great help.
I've got the saw you're considering purchasing, with the riser block, but my Delta has a 1 hp motor. And even then it takes some time to get through thick stock.
Here's a trick that helps in resawing with an underpowered saw: before you start to resaw, run your lumber through the tablesaw with the blade extended as far up as it will go. If you're resawing a 12 inch piece, for example, and you can kerf out two 2.5 inch cuts - one on each edge of the stock - you'll only have to actually resaw about 7 inches of wood in the middle of the blank. And that's not too difficult a task, even with an anemic saw.
Plus the "starter" kerfs tend to keep the blade pretty well in line...
Zolton
Thanks for the tip. Some of these I will be book matching so I like to take out as little material as possible.
I have some root burls that I've been wanting to slice open for a long time.
I hope ther aren't to many wood borer tunnels in it.
One is perfect. Small but perfect.
Band saw
I use the same trick as Zolton for re-sawing, relief cut first on the table saw then re-saw with band saw. It makes the re-sawing much faster and easier and the relief cuts keeps the band-saw blade from wandering or bowing.
Years ago I had a Makita resaw band saw that came with a 2" wide carbide tipped blade, I never liked that saw or the design. I think the wide blade caused too much drag and once the wide blade started bowing or cutting crooked is was very difficult to straighten it out again.
Most peopIe think you need a wide blade for re-sawing but I have much better luck re-sawing with a 3/8" skip tooth blade, with 3 or 4 TPI. A sharp blade is essential. I have an older 3/4 HP 14" Grizzly and a fairly new 17" 2 HP Grizzly. I haven't used the smaller saw much since I got the bigger one.
Bret
Pop,
I can't answer your question about HP on that saw, but I want to throw a different idea at you. There are lots of old bandsaws on the market, great old machines that with a bit of TLC can be brought to perfect running condition. If I were looking to buy a bandsaw my first preference would be to get a "real" one and tune it up, not one of these (pardon me, everyone) Delta hobbyist versions. If you are in the least mechanically inclined you can handle the tune-up, and you'll bless your stars forever that you've got a real bandsaw that can resaw anything without breaking a sweat.
Have a look here, for instance-
http://www.exfactory.com/equipment.aspx?catId=SB&pos=0
(My apologies to all the Delta owners out there, but that's the way I see it...)
I agree with you. I've been looking and haven't found one. Part of the problem is i live in Northern Colorado.
Some parts of the country have a histroy of manufacturing and machines, while other parts don't.
I have broadened my search to the Denver area. It's little bit of a drive but I don't mind if it is for a good tool.
Some of the these bigger saws have big wheels, motors, ect. But they don't have the hieght under the top guide.
The 14" saws with the block have 12" under the guide.
I wouldn't get too hung up on 3/4 HP. Delta originally sold it with a 1/3 HP motor. With appropriate band selection, 3/4 HP will resaw anything you can fit under the guides of that saw.
I wouldn't "gear down" under any circumstances. If it's a wood metal, the low speed is for metal. If it's one of the ones with the 2-step pulley, the lower speed is just there so they can list this "featue" in the catalog.
Good 14" band saws don't last long on craigslist, but if you get one, a good resaw band would be a 1/2"X4TPI or 3TPI thin kerf band from Suffolk.
Pete
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