is this DELTA bandsaw any good?

[andrew zukewycz]

i am looking for a bandsaw and was trading my kayak on craigslist for one.

this nice gentlemen offered me this one ( not the exact one, but same model#)

http://www.thombogo.com/THFLEAM/Items/7577780745/ITEM-7577780745.htm

i cant find much info on this saw, is there anything anyone can tell me about it?

good for rounding halved logs? for bowl roughing? small work?

any input is greatly appreciated...

p.s. my kayak is worth 800 but i would take 600, so is this a 600$ saw?

thanks again
zuke

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Andrew, my first instinct is no, but as I have never ran one of those, I could be wrong. The tree wheel design bends the blades in a tighter radius as they operate, then a comparable two wheeler would. Tends not to matter as much on the big tree wheelers, like the huge Doall's, but on a small saw like this, why risk it?

[Brian Effinger]

Absolutely not. I'm not an expert on bandsaws by any means, but I believe that Steve is right about this. For $600 you could get a decent 14" (2 wheel) Grizzly, brand new, or a very good used one from any other manufacturer. Possibly even larger than 14".

Just my 2 cents.

Brian

[Bruce Page]

Ditto what Brian said. I had a 3 wheel once and it was iffy to freehand cut 3/4" material. And when it comes to cutting logs or anything much more than 3/4"... as they say in NYC, fergetaboutit!

[Rick Fisher]

$600 is way too much for that saw. I know of an 18" Delta, used but in premium condition for $600.00

[Pete Bradley]

The paddle's worth more than that saw.

Pete

[Hank Moreman]

I wouldn't do it at all, my first bandsaw was a 14" two wheel 3/4 horse Delta and I think that brand new I only paid $700. It's a shame your on the west coast, I've upgraded my saw and my old one is sitting in the corner of my shop "for sale" and collecting dust.

[andrew zukewycz]

great input...

i was so excited about getting a bandsaw i almost traded...

but i think i will hold out for cash so i can buy a good used 2 wheel bandsaw...

thanks again...

zuke

p.s. hank, how far east are you? i might be willing to drive for the right saw!

[John Bailey]

Sell the kayak, buy a good old Delta 14" for $200-$300, buy $300 worth of wood and epoxy and build yourself a new kayak. Problem solved!!

John

[Michael Weber]

Too late but I agree. That's maybe a 75 to 100 dollar saw used.

[Bob Slater]

I have that same saw that I will be selling locally. It is in very good condition and I am going to ask $175 Canadian. They do not perform very well as far as I can tell. One good thing about this model is it is one of the only bandsaws that can go slow enough to cut metal when you remove the pulley and run a special belt right off the engine shaft. $600 USD is dream money.

[Alan Frazier]

Too late but I agree. That's maybe a 75 to 100 dollar saw used.

Yeah, my dad sold one exactly like it for $80 after buying a used bridgewood 14" for $90.

[Alex Shanku]

LOL

A tannewitz GH 36" BS just sold for $500 near me.

I would rather use a coping/fret saw than use that thing.

[andrew zukewycz]

Sell the kayak, buy a good old Delta 14" for $200-$300, buy $300 worth of wood and epoxy and build yourself a new kayak. Problem solved!!

John

i think your right...

i should be able to atleast get 600 for the kayak... i think that 14" would be perfect...

and now about building my own kayak? how would it fit on my lathe? lol...

thanks again to all... im sure ill be asking if the next trade is a good bet too..

now i have to tell this guy his saw is not what i am looking for. and without sounding like a wisenheimer either... lol...

thx again.
zuke

[glenn bradley]

I think you have your answer. $100, tops for that saw around here and I would pass even at that. Too much trouble reported with the small 3-wheelers.

[John Bailey]

and now about building my own kayak? how would it fit on my lathe? lol...



I don't turn so I'm not sure, but, if you posted it in the turning forum you probably will find someone whose already done it - they's a strage group!!:cool:

John

[John Thompson]

You've already recieved all you need to know about that saw at $600, Andrew. All I can say is my ribs hurt from laughing at the asking price for that 3 wheeler. I just wanted to caution you as I have done it.. Billy Bob has done it.. all of us have done it.

You need a BS and you have some money. Don't make the mistake of jumping on everything that comes along. Do your home-work with how band-saws work.. comparable pricing for new and used.. and then look for that killer deal in lieu of "all the women at a bar look good at closing time" and I'm in need. :)

Be patient and your dollars will go much farther and you'll get more value in the long haul by doing so.

Sarge..