Replies

1. 
   jeff100 | Jan 19, 2008 05:42am | #1

   Buy it. My experience with Grizzly equipment has been excellent, they provide an excellent value to the buyer, especially in the higher end equipment.

   Jeff

2. 
   TonyCz | Jan 19, 2008 05:55am | #2

   Buy the Mini max MM16 its been a very good saw for me. The new models have a greater resaw capaciity then the model I have. You can not go wrong with the Minimax.

3. 
   user-189774 | Jan 19, 2008 07:56am | #3

   Take a look at Steel City's 18" BS, I believe that they still have the rebate going on. There are a number of us on these forums that have the 18" and other SC equipment, you will not be disappointed in their product or customer service. IHO Steel City is makeing most every other manufacture take notice and get off their #### in regards to design and quality.

4. 
   Knotscott | Jan 19, 2008 03:26pm | #4

   I've used a Griz 0513 17" and an MM16....both were great for my needs, but if the MM16 is in within reach of your budget, I don't believe there's much comparison when you compare part to part and construction to construction. The MM16 is a 500# piece of precision overbuilt cast iron....it's just in a different league.

5. 
   bones | Jan 19, 2008 06:42pm | #5

   I have the 17" HD grizz and love it.  Throw away the blade that comes with it, and get a timberwolfe.  It's a great set up. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
6. 
   forestgirl | Jan 19, 2008 08:02pm | #6

   Woodjam, Grizzly bandsaws. cabinet saws. and jointers are good machines especially for those on a budget.  There are a few people here that think I shill for the company, LOL, because I'm such a big supporter.  If you could afford to go for the Minimax MM16 at about $2500, you'd probably be in 7th Heaven.  If you can't afford it, you can't afford it.  (PS:  I would certainly check out the Steel City 50200, as suggested above.  An impressive company.  5 year warantee)

   One thing that I'd want to ask about the Grizzly G0636X:  Do you need to remove the fence to change the blade?   That would drive me nuts.  This picture is what makes me wonder:
   View Image 
   Hopefully, in your forum browsing, you saw this thread at Sawmill Creek, where several members and Shiraz Balolia, owner of Grizzly, discussed this saw.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/19/2008 12:14 pm by forestgirl

1. 
   woodjam | Jan 20, 2008 03:09am | #7

    <!----><!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Thanks for all of the advice that I am getting so far.  I talked to the MM rep.  prior to posting this thread.   He stated that his saw, MM16 would cost me about 3k with tax and delivery cost because they have an office in TX. and I live in TX.  I would have to pay tax.  It would also have to be shipped because their warehouse is not in TX. so I can't just drive to <!----><!----><!---->Austin<!----><!----> to pick one up.  The MM is definitely out of my budget by more than 1k.  The Grizzly is also out of my budget but not by much.<!----><!---->

   Jay does the SC have cast iron trunnions it doesn't appear to.  <!----><!---->Steel<!----> <!---->City<!----><!----> was at the top of my list originally until I did more research and ran into Grizzly.  I do like the SC warranty for sure! <!----><!---->

    Knotscott I know the MM weights 530# but if we are comparing just weight, which I know we are not, the G0636X weights at least 620#.<!----><!---->

   Bones which G 17" do you own?  I can't find a Grizzly 17" HD.  The only HD that I know about is a Laguna LT16HD.<!----><!---->

   Forestgirl I just checked with Grizzly you do not have to remove the fence according to the gentleman that answered the phone we both looked at the manual on line and came to that conclusion.  Great observation!  I did see the forum at Sawmill Creek   http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=69987&page=2   that you have listed above that is really what turned me on to the Griz.

   So far no one has said anything negative about the G0636X.

   Edited 1/19/2008 7:11 pm ET by woodjam

1. 
   Knotscott | Jan 20, 2008 03:46am | #8

   Nope... not really comparing weight. It was just a rhetorical comment about the build quality and precision of the MM16. The price of those has gone up quite a bit in the past couple of years...

2. 
   bones | Jan 20, 2008 06:27am | #9

   I bought the g0513 back in 2004. Wow it don't seem that long ago, but it is. Here is a link to my review back then.  She's still as good today. 

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=17846.9

    

   Here is the link to the Griz.  It's still the same price.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Bandsaw-2-HP/G0513

   They have a new model they call the G0513x2. It has cast iron trunions.

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-Bandsaw-2HP-w-Cast-Iron-Trunnion-/G0513X2

   I can cut easily everything I've thrown at it. And the fact my model does not have the cast trunions does not really impact me.  Since I've had it, I've never had the table tilted, so I can say if it would make a difference.  I have used the heck out of it (as a hobbyist).  Hey for the money you can beat grizlly. 

   My grizzly equipment to this point is:

   513 17" BS (threw the blade away and replaced with timberwofle

   1023 TS

   Horizontal boring machine (forgot the model)

   G609 12" jointer (just purchased).

   I'll add there customer service if great.  Have fun on the decision and enjoy the new Toy. 

    

    Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 20, 2008 08:05am | #10

   Hah hah, funny.  I read the manual too, and thought maybe they just left the fence part out so's you wouldn't know.  Getting cynical in my old age, I guess.

   Hang in there until we hear from Sarge about the Steel City saw.  He knows 'em inside and out, and I sent him an email.  You asked about cast iron trunnions.  I was thinking wheels?  They have cast iron wheels, for sure.  Much as I like Grizzly for providing us with reasonable quality at an affordable price, if the quality is equivalent, I'd go with Steel City just for the warrantee -- even a couple hundred more.  Five years is a long time.

   Helloooooo, Sarge?!

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   Edited 1/20/2008 12:06 am by forestgirl

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 20, 2008 09:25pm | #11

   Hey FG...

   Sorry as I have been in the middle of M&T's till 1 PM last night. Frankly, I just got up which is a rarity for the old man to sleep till 11 AM. Must have been tired.

   The Steel City has double trunnions made from extruded aluminum I believe. Meaning aluminum with alloys (magnesium.. silicone.. etc.) added to harden it. Each are attached with 3 large machined bolts to a cast iron cradles.

   IMO, not a major concern unless you are a turner and literally slam  large, wet logs down on the table. Or, it you intend to tip the 450 lb. bandsaw over and the table hits first. But.. that is no major concern for the first 5 Years with warranty. After that.. the trunnions are cheap and extremely easy to get to. It takes about 2 minutes to take one off and remount done simply by unscrewing the 3  machined bolts.

   Personally I would be more concerned with comparison of springs.. guides.. upper case enforcement.. bearing size.. dust collection.. welds.. etc. and not what the trunnions are made of. If it were a single aluminum truunion with aluminum cradles... then my interest would intensify.

   As is... I made the purchase based on the above as I personally think the Steel City is the best designed and built BS coming from the Pacific Rim. If you want to center a purchase on what the trunnions are made of.. perhaps the Grizzly would be the best choice if you possess the trait of being totally abusive without giving thought to everything has limits you can push to before they break.

   Cast iron can warp and break also.. so I am not sure what the priority is other than most think that cast iron is case hardened steel. It is not as hard and will never have the machining quality of steel no matter how much you pretend.

   Hope that helps...

   Sarge.. 

   Edited 1/20/2008 1:27 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

   Edited 1/20/2008 1:28 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 21, 2008 07:07am | #12

   Sarge, thanks for pitching in with your info and opinion.  My question would be:  Might the aluminum trunnions flex under "normal" loads [let's leave trees out of the equation for now ;-) ]  I do remember from several years ago there being concerns about Jet trunnions flexing under load. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Jan 21, 2008 07:45am | #13

   What would you consider normal load? I rip 16/4 stock from 6"-8" wide after I cross-cut it to under 5' lengths often. I would guess that would weight in the proximity of 40-60 lbs. give or take.

   No flexing there with double trunnions so I doubt anyone that would normally use 8/4 and under stock to subject it to that much load. Those double trunnions are somewhere between 3/16" - 1/4" extruded aluminum and IMO not likely to flex or break with even a load up to 100 pounds and possibly more.

   As a matter of fact.. so confident that I just went down and stacked ten 10 lb. barbell weights on my BS table. It didn't break the trunnion nor did it flex. And remember it already is supporting a 40 lbs cast iron table. Would I put a 200 lb. engine block up there to test it. Nope... as I don't see the need.

   But... I would be willing to "ease" that kind of weight down on them or cast iron trunnions.. if.. if.. ! If I were intelligent enough tor realize they weren't intended nor designed for that kind of load. Then a 2 x 6 support stud could be anchored on the floor and cut to meet the bottom of the table to re-enforce each table side. 

   I think that you would find something similar done by those that re-saw large logs of any significant length or long thick stock with extensions of some nature. Even when ripping long lenghts, that should be done to eliminate the table having to support all the weight. I definitely would do it with my Steel City.. or a Grizzly.. Mini-Max.. or and industrial grade Tannewitz. It just makes sense to distribute weight loads so that one component doesn't have to shoulder the entire load.

   So... again, I do not think the trunnions are an issue with breakage or flexing with the use of common sense and realization that these machines are not made to withstand the rigors of an M1 A2 Abrams Battle Tank.

   BTW.. I have a smaller Jet BS with one aluminum trunnion. It also has an aluminum cradle it sits on. The aluminum is not extruded. Would I load it up with weight as mentioned above. NO.. as common sense tells me not to do under those circumstances. Common sense is often stronger than aluminum.. cast iron or steel. :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge.. 

   Edited 1/20/2008 11:50 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 21, 2008 09:40am | #14

   In other words "All aluminum is not created equal"  Gotcha.  Seriously, I really think the information you have provided is very helpful to all of us who're looking for non-industrial bandsaws.  Thanks, Sarge!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   woodjam | Jan 22, 2008 03:34am | #15

   Thanks everyone for assisting me.  Now I need to make a decision.  I'll let you all know what I decide. 

5. 
   woodjam | Feb 16, 2008 08:36am | #16

    

   Well I said I would let everyone know what I decide to do about buying a Grizzly G0636 Band Saw.  After deciding to buy the Griz. I lucked out big time and ended up purchasing an almost new, in perfect condition, MM16 latest model for about what a SC 18 would have cost me.  Of course there is no way I could pass up such a deal.

    

   I will still get other Grizzly items in the future they still appear to be the best item for the money, including their new 10" wet grinder. WOW! What a price. 

    

6. 
   forestgirl | Feb 16, 2008 06:47pm | #17

   That's fantastic!  I have no doubt you'll love the MM16 and it will last you until forever.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)