Replies

1. 
   10fingers | Dec 08, 2003 09:25pm | #1

   Check out ebay listings for bandsaws.   There are usually several listings for larger sized delta's (20, 24, etc.) or other large bandsaws.   I upgraded to a Laguna LT16 from a 14" clone and am happy with it but I could have gotten a larger cast iron American for the same money if I shopped around.   If you get a saw that doesn't use babbet bearings, you can usually find parts to keep it going.   I sound like a hot rodder "more cubic inches is better".   I have a carter guide for small blades on my 14" all the time (1/16 or 1/18) and a carbide tipped blade for resawing on my Lt16.

   Have fun shopping,

   Chuck

2. 
   nicobie | Dec 08, 2003 09:27pm | #2

   Minimax just introduced a 16" with 12" resaw and a (I think) 2.5 hp motor for $1200.

   I own their MM16 and am very very happy with it. You might want to look at that too but at $1900 it's a bit more pricey.

   btw... I agree with you about the Laguna.

    

3. 
   forestgirl | Dec 09, 2003 10:15am | #3

   I'd get the new Jet model in a heartbeat.  It's supposed to have very, very low vibration with the new design.  Bearing blade guides are cool and part of the package.  I haven't used one, but gave it the once over when there was one in stock at the local Jet dealer.  Yummy.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

4. 
   Salemjoiner | Dec 09, 2003 03:45pm | #4

   In the range that you are looking at Delta has introduced a new 18" saw, model 28-682.  2HP, 12" of resaw, cast iron wheels, quick release tension, three point table support, and some other features.  Made in Taiwan like the Jet and Grizzlies, but I saw one locally and was more impressed than I expected to be.  Shop around for the best price, but I think it was priced within $100 of the Jet where I saw it.  If you want to jump up in quality from this range then the Italian saws are the best option if buying new.  Otherwise look around for a good used American 20" machine.  I just went though the bandsaw upgrade  decision and ordered a Mini Max 20" yesterday.  Good luck!

1. 
   MatthewSchenker | Dec 10, 2003 12:52am | #5

   Thanks everyone for your input.  Buying my 14" bandsaw was a big decision, and I assume the thought and time that goes into a bigger saw is even greater.

   Well, I will add Minimax to the list of possibilities.  I've now seen several positive remarks about it.

   Forestgirl -- I agree about the Jet.  I was very impressed with the solidity of the machine when I viewed it recently.  My biggest concern with the Jet 18" is that it only has 10" resaw capacity.  If I'm going to spend the extra money, I'd really like to get 12" resaw.

   Again, thanks everyone.  I'll let you know what happens.

1. 
   DJK | Dec 10, 2003 05:36pm | #6

   Look for a used machine. Where are you located? I know af a few very good 20" Delta/Rockwell and 20" Powermatic saws for sale in the MI, OH area. Just picked up a 20" Cresent in near mint condition for $600. A 20" Delta/Rockwell wood/metal can be had for less than $1000. Don't waste money on a new saw.

   Dave Koury

2. 
   gpwest | Dec 11, 2003 08:24am | #7

   Salemjoiner,

     Regarding your post on the Delta 28-682, 18" Delta bandsaw:  I'm interested in that model also, but have only seen it in a catalog.  Do you remember whether the cast iron wheels were solid or spoked, and what type blade guides did it have?  Thanks for any further info.   GP

1. 
   Salemjoiner | Dec 11, 2003 04:04pm | #8

   Hi,

   Saw had spoked cast iron wheels and ball bearing guides, very much like the Jet in those respects.  I don't think I've seen the solid cast iron wheels in any but the Italian machines and the larger Taiwanese units.  Powermatic/Jet and I think someone else are also coming out with 14" saws with spoked cast iron wheels...I saw one of the powermatic versions, and it was a very nice saw.  (Lots more options in the 14"-18" saw range now than when I was first looking a few years ago.  It was hard to find a value priced machine with 12" of resaw, but now several manufacturers are offering them.)  The delta saw also had a nice rack and pinion unit with handwheel, the height guage to deterimine resaw height, and a neat little sliding table extension to increase support on the left side of the table towards the column.  I believe the third table support arm also had some detents in it for quick setting various table angles...that's what it looked like anyway.  I suspect the third support is also why the delta table didn't deflect with some hand pressure on the edge, like the Jet 18" does.  The one cheesy looking part I noticed was the connection between the support column and the blade guide holder.  The metal braket is simply welded into place and is offset a little to provide proper clearance for the guides.  Difficult to describe, it probably works fine, but just looked a little less impressively engineered than the rest of the saw.  The delta is fairly tall too, it was a little taller than my 6'. Hope this helps, just my 0.02 cents based on looking it over in the store.  Good luck!

1. 
   gpwest | Dec 12, 2003 11:49pm | #9

   Salemjoiner,

      Thanks, that's the more detailed info I was hoping for.  There's a woodworking show nearby at end of January, maybe that model will be on display.  I also rec'd a flyer in the mail a couple of weeks ago from MiniMax listing a new model from them, the S16, for around the same price as the Delta , $1295. It's Italian made, 2.5 hp, 12" resaw. I've been researching saws for a few months now, and both those saws, along with the Laguna LT16 are seem to have the features I'm looking for, so hope to get a look at both soon.  Thanks for the help.    GP

1. 
   Salemjoiner | Dec 13, 2003 07:20am | #10

   Your welcome, glad to help.  I have only heard rumor of the new mini max saw, but it sounds very competive.  You might try looking for info on the Mini Max discussion group, accessible thru their website for info on the new saw.  The Delta is made in Taiwan.  For fit and finish though it's hard to beat the Italian saws.  I'm going to sell my LT16 to move up to the MM20, mainly just for the resaw capacity.

5. 
   bd | Dec 17, 2003 05:15pm | #11

   I looked at the Jet 18" then decided to buy the Delta 14 w/ riser. Same hp, Jet had a cast aluminum trunnion, Delta's was cast iron. Don't know about the newer imported Deltas. While the Jet had a much larger table, the turnnion was no larger than the Delta's and the table would tilt when pressure was applied to a corner. On the Delta, if anything moved when you applied pressure to a corner of the table it was the entire saw. One of the ww mags had an article within the last year on tuning up bandsaws. The author's opinion was that the Delta 14 was the only one that didn't require some reinforcing to the trunnion to support the table for resawing heavy lumber. I think he was right on with that.

   Would be interested in hearing other's experiences w/ the 18 inch Jet.

   bd

1. 
   Buglehead | Dec 18, 2003 10:18am | #12

   I teach a machine maintenance class at Palomar College.  The day we got into bandsaws I demonstrated on an 18" Jet in the shop there.  I was prepared to like this machine a lot, but came away with a bad feeling.  On the good side, it has very little vibration, and runs quietly, like a bandsaw should.  However, the trunnions are small alloy ones, and the adjustments to the lower blade guides are hard to access.  My biggest beef with this saw is the upper blade guide assembly.  It is not parallel to the blade, and cannot be adjusted so it is.  It is also very flimsy, supported only by the sheet metal upper wheel guard and has no box sectioned weldments to make the steel rigid.

   The Italian saws are also welded steel, but even the older ones are very solid in the guidepost.  So is the 14" Delta, even with the riser block.  If Jet is smart, and I think they are, they will upgrade this machine and raise the price $200, at which point it could be a true bargain.  As it stands now, it is only a waste of good money. because the flaws are nearly impossible for the end user to correct.  Sorry to be all negative, but hopefully this helps.

   Bugle

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 18, 2003 08:32pm | #13

   Bugle, thanks for providing those details -- negativity backed up with details is "useful data" <g>. forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)