Replies

1. 
   badoyn | Oct 14, 2004 05:23pm | #1

   I have the Grizzly G0555. It's a great saw. I looked at the Ridgid, and though it's cheaper, it doesn't have a tension release lever, has a smaller motor, and a lesser quality fence. I purchased the riser block and had a quick tension question, and found the Grizzly tech support excellent. I'm sure there are a few more things I forgot, but I don't think you could go wrong with the Grizzly.

   My opinion. Your mileage may vary.

   Michael

2. 
   tfk3160 | Oct 14, 2004 08:13pm | #2

   While I don't have a Grizzly band saw I have a Grizzly jointer and dust collector and both are adequate and great for the price.  I would actually like to see some other way of specifying tools.  For example with most power tools if  you compare Grizzly to major brands like Jet, Delta, Powermatic etc. the features per dollar amount on the Grizzly tools are far superior.   A 14" Powermatic with ball bearing guides and a fence cost $899.00.  The Grizzly 17" band saw with like features is $750.  Remember I'm comparing a 14" to a 17".  Some say you get what you pay for, I wonder do you or are you paying too much for a major brand sold at retail outlets.   My Grizzly jointer has a fence that is not perfectly and flat along its length measured with an engineers square however I can not see these minor deflections in any woodwork I do.  Would a Delta jointer costing an extra $150 be "perfectly" flat?  Somehow I don't think so and there is no way to check it on the feature list printed on the box.  In answer to your question my gut would say to get the Grizzly.   

1. 
   Jellyrug | Oct 15, 2004 08:01pm | #6

   tfk,

   Basically one has to look at Grizzly's business model, to understand why they have such good prices:

   1.) Partly American design, with Asian manufacture and American quality control, thus getting a good product with cheap labor and low manufacturing overhead.

   2.) Being well staffed in administration, sales, spare parts and service has given them the opportunity to turn high volume with low margin.

   3.) Their Supply Chain, from sourcing, to customer sales either on the web or phone, to final delivery directly to the consumer, is more efficient than anyone else in the business. This also allows them to cut out the middle man.

   I believe that competitive brands will either have to adapt, or they will start hurting by trying to compete with lower prices. Time will tell.

   Jellyrug

3. 
   CharlieP | Oct 15, 2004 12:55am | #3

   I have the Grizzly G0555 band saw and love it - bought it as a replacement for the Jet 14 inch. 

   I have several Ridgid tools.  Some of their tools are great.  Based on comments over the last couple years, on the Ridgid discussion group, I would not buy their band saw or Lathe. 

   ________________________
   Charlie Plesums  Austin, Texas
   http://www.plesums.com/wood

4. 
   JohnSD | Oct 15, 2004 04:34am | #4

   Marko, I have the Ridgid bandsaw and  I wish I had gotten another brand.  My unit has a vibration that I have not been able to eliminate with all the tweaking I can think of.  The table is not flat.  This was the purchase that finally taught me to pay more and get better quality whenever possible.  Go with the Griz, John

5. 
   DougF | Oct 15, 2004 04:26pm | #5

   Mark,

   I have the Grizzlt 0555 for about a year.  This is my first bandsaw and bought cheap since I had no iea what to expect.  Once I learned to use the machine - right blade, right tension, right feed rate, replace the throat plate with a non-metalic material - I have had great results.  I also have the riser block and have done resawing with hard maple up to 9".  The only comlaint is the lack of a dust pickup at the lower roller guide assembly but other than that it has worked well.

   Doug

6. 
   user-247493 | Oct 15, 2004 11:57pm | #7

   just to confuse things a little more for you, check out toolex.  I was at a woodworking show last weekend and a lot of the exhibitors were using them to demonstrate jigs etc.  I thought they looked pretty good for your basic Taiwanese saw.

   chek out this site, he sells them and a lot more.  he was at the show and really seemed to know what he was talking about.

   http://store.thesawshop.com

7. 
   TomB | Oct 16, 2004 05:26am | #8

   Have a ridged 13 inch planner. Nice tool but the big box store does not carry parts when you need them. For me it was blades. Be careful what you buy. My tools are cared for and last at least 10 years, can you still buy parts for them after that time.

8. 
   MikeN | Oct 16, 2004 05:56am | #9

   Although I cannot say anything adverse or in praise with respect to Grizzly, I do want to say that I have a Ridgid 14" that I bought a couple years ago.  I find it to be a great bandsaw.  Low vibration, plenty of power to resaw six inch oak, cherry, maple, etc.  I amvery pleased with mine.  I did add a Duginske extruded aluminum rip fence which is also very nice.

   Sincerely,  Mike N.