Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Sep 01, 2009 05:10pm | #1

   I have no experience with either of these saws, but I'd say that bigger is better when it comes to cutting curves.

2. 
   nazard | Sep 02, 2009 01:35am | #2

   I have the 17" and am well pleased.

3. 
   nboucher | Sep 02, 2009 08:59pm | #3

   We need more info to give you good advice. What are you going to use it for? Are you a hobbyist or pro? Do you do the kind of woodworking that would require a 19" saw? I say this because I have a Grizzly 14" saw with a riser and that has handled pretty much everything I've thrown at it, including resawing hardwoods. Unless you really need the bigger saw, I'd get the 17" saw and buy $400 worth of wood.

   Norman

1. 
   woodenhead | Sep 02, 2009 10:38pm | #4

   I have a school teaching woodcarving,woodworking & marquetry and we would like to produce our own veneer and do some resawing. I have a Delta 14" bandsaw that is underpowered and would like to know if anyone has purchased the Grizzly GO514X2 19"and what are the pros & cons?http://web.me.com/walterc530/www.woodworking_woodcarving.com/Welcome.html

1. 
   noviceneil | Sep 03, 2009 08:30pm | #6

   I've had the 19" Grizzly for nearly a year ..I really like it, use it frequently...my only complaint is the resaw fence..when it locks down, the lock down mechanism pulls the top of the fence backward, pulling it out of square with the table..I talked to the tech people at Grizzly but they were unable to help...the saw itself is great so far.

   Neil

2. 
   davidbrum | Sep 04, 2009 06:12pm | #7

   I've got the 17". It can easily cut anything I can stuff into it. Having said that, I can't think of why an even bigger saw wouldn't be better. One of the things that makes bigger saws cut better is the momentum of the heavier wheels. The bigger and heavier the wheels, the more consistent the cut. Either saw would no doubt work fine for you. The 19" would be a little better though.David B

1. 
   jonnieboy | Sep 09, 2009 07:15am | #18

   Having said that, I can't think of why an even bigger saw wouldn't be better.

   Words to live by! Next time I go tool shopping, you're with me!

   (Oops, off-subject)

   --Jonnieboy

4. 
   bones | Sep 02, 2009 10:44pm | #5

   I've had the 17" HD for quite a few years now and its been a great saw.  Chuck the stock blade and get a Timberwolfe blade and you will be fine.  Now if you can go with the 19" there won't be anthing wrong for sure.   I'm not sure but I think you get a break with that one, and its a bit heavier duty.  To be honest with you I've never mised not having the break.  Either way I don't think you will go wrong.

    

   I was married by a judge - I should have asked for a jury.
   George Burns

5. 
   bob_barnett | Sep 06, 2009 03:44pm | #8

   I had the same issue last year about this time.  I went with the 19".  I have just been burned too many times by saving money on tools.  The first thing I worked on wouldn't have made in thru the 17" saw.  Where would I have been with the smaller saw?

   Bob

1. 
   woodenhead | Sep 06, 2009 04:18pm | #9

   How do you like the saw? pros & cons. Does it have the foot brake?

1. 
   bob_barnett | Sep 06, 2009 04:42pm | #10

   I haven't used it much but from what I have seen so far it is going to do all I want it to do.  There were two key points.  It does have a foot brake.  On a saw that size I think that is important.  It will roll forever if just left to stop on its own.  It also has dual dust ports which I thought was a real plus. 

   Bob

1. 
   woodenhead | Sep 06, 2009 05:18pm | #11

   How about changing blades, the last review by FWW on the Grizzly saw said that changing blades was difficult, although it was not this model. I was thinking about taking a trip to Muncy Pa. but 240 miles one way is a bit to far.
   Thanks Bob

   Edited 9/6/2009 10:18 am ET by woodenhead

1. 
   noviceneil | Sep 06, 2009 06:37pm | #12

   I've only changed the blade once, putting a one inch resaw blade on it...the change was not difficult and I'm not very mechanical.

   Neil

2. 
   woodenhead | Sep 06, 2009 06:42pm | #13

   How is the resaw fence, that is what interests me cutting veneer.

6. 
   Samm90 | Sep 06, 2009 10:00pm | #14

   If I remember correctly, the 17" has 2HP while the 19" has 3HP motor. The 17 can run from 110VAC, but the 19 needs 220VAC. I got the 19 and what a saw it was. It was very smooth and accurate. You will own the saw for a long time so the extra $400 is worth it I think.

1. 
   woodenhead | Sep 06, 2009 10:31pm | #15

   What do you mean by it was a great saw?
   thanks

1. 
   Samm90 | Sep 09, 2009 07:34am | #19

   Basically I took advice from other folks that buying the largest bandsaw you can buy and do it once. I like the 19"  grizzly because 1) it was very quiet during start up and running.  2) it has the table crank to adjust table tilt 3) it's 3HP motor. The next step is 5HP which some companies started  putting into their saws, perhaps to differentiate from 3HP. 5HP machine belongs in a factory I guess. 4) it got quick tension release lever 5) it got a footbreak , but I don't use it much 6) blade guide goes up and down "perfectly" true and easy 7) the blade tracks "perfectly", I didn't see any sideways/forward/backward movement while it's running 8) it cuts like butter 9) it got 2 4-inch dust ports and allows for custom dust shield to blade 10) the doors are independently opened/close . Some other brands don't do that . 11) the frame was rigid, ranked 4th, in some articles , (but not the same model) 12) the accessories are great, they include everything miter gauge, low and high fences. 13) the finish is top notch 14) the user manual is very clear, I like it best about the electrical diagram 15) their customer service is among the top manufacturers'.  I remember reading Grizzly catalogue about the G0514x2 , it said :  " Add one of these bandsaws to your shop and every time you hit the switch, you'll know you made the right choice..." and I agreed...

   Q

    

7. 
   Eireannach | Sep 08, 2009 05:01pm | #16

   I have the 17" & I love it.  The blade has always tracked true & I haven't even had drift when I resaw.  I haven't even bogged it down cutting hardwoods.  I am having a similar price/value dilemma with dust collectors, but in this case I would go for the 17" & use the savings for something else unless you need really big resaw capacity.

1. 
   woodenhead | Sep 09, 2009 02:34am | #17

   Thanks, I have the GO548 Canister Dust Collector works great i can have my table saw and jointer on at the same time and it picks every thing. My jointer is an 8" grizzly 20 yrs old and going strong.

8. 
   dennis2 | Sep 09, 2009 08:35am | #20

   Hi woodenhead:

   As you can see both the 17" and the 19" have their fans. I have the 17" (go513x2) and love the saw.

   a year ago I did a lot of research and compared a lot of saws. My own conclusion is that I don't think you can go wrong with any of the larger european style band saws. They are all good. The only one I heard any complaints about was the Jet and how hard it was to change blades. However they have since introduced a new model and fixed it.

   The best advice I was given during my band saw search, was to actually try the saw. So I called Grizzly and they gave me the name of an owner and I was able to push wood through the saw. I'm sure that Grizzly will be able to give you the names of both the 17" and 19" saws and you can try them out.

   Good luck on you search

   Dennis