Joe Pack
02-05-2011, 8:53 PM
:confused:
I am considering adding a 14" bandsaw to my already crowded basement workshop
I already have a 17" 2hp Grizzly with excellent quality 3/4" Timberwolf blade that does all my heavy cutting/resawing/ripping, but a lot of the craft show type work I find myself getting into requires finer cutting than can be done with my current 17" setup. Yes, I can change the blades, but that requires more time setting up the saw than cutting with it.
If I add a 14" saw, I will set it up with a Carter Stabilizer single guide system and a 3/16" blade and leave it pretty much set. That way I can do my heavier cutting on one saw and do the smaller, finer work on the other without wasting time on repeated set-ups.
Because I already have the large saw, I don't need the "best" or most powerful or most expensive 14" saw. I have pretty much narrowed down my search to 2 (3?) saws. These are the Grizzly 0555P that I can buy for a total of $499 and the Delta 28-206 that I can buy for $540. (A similar Jet is also available, but in the low $600 range).
Both are 1hp, can use a 6" riser if needed, and both have 4" dust collection outlets.
The Grizzly has Carter-style bearings, the Delta uses cool blocks (however neither of these will be used with the Carter Stabilizer, so that is a moot point for my intended use).
The Grizzly is open stand, the Delta is closed (but many reviews on Amazon refer to a severe vibration in the Delta, most due to warped stands).
The Grizzly includes a very good quality fence system and "okay" miter gauge while neither is included with the Delta. I may not need them often, but they are included with the Grizzly, and can be used on other machines or tables if I need them.
The Grizzly has to be shipped, then assembled. I can pick up the Delta directly from the floor already assembled but spend $40 in gas going to get it.
I have been completely satisfied with my 17" Grizzly and with their customer support (other folks' mileage may vary on the support issue). Still, with Grizzly I have to worry about damaged or defective parts and dealing with a company 400 miles away, while the Delta dealer is only an hour away and is highly respected in our area.
What to do, what to do?????
You get the idea. Thanks for letting me ramble and think this through. And thanks for any opinions, rambling or otherwise, that you might wish to share!
I am considering adding a 14" bandsaw to my already crowded basement workshop
I already have a 17" 2hp Grizzly with excellent quality 3/4" Timberwolf blade that does all my heavy cutting/resawing/ripping, but a lot of the craft show type work I find myself getting into requires finer cutting than can be done with my current 17" setup. Yes, I can change the blades, but that requires more time setting up the saw than cutting with it.
If I add a 14" saw, I will set it up with a Carter Stabilizer single guide system and a 3/16" blade and leave it pretty much set. That way I can do my heavier cutting on one saw and do the smaller, finer work on the other without wasting time on repeated set-ups.
Because I already have the large saw, I don't need the "best" or most powerful or most expensive 14" saw. I have pretty much narrowed down my search to 2 (3?) saws. These are the Grizzly 0555P that I can buy for a total of $499 and the Delta 28-206 that I can buy for $540. (A similar Jet is also available, but in the low $600 range).
Both are 1hp, can use a 6" riser if needed, and both have 4" dust collection outlets.
The Grizzly has Carter-style bearings, the Delta uses cool blocks (however neither of these will be used with the Carter Stabilizer, so that is a moot point for my intended use).
The Grizzly is open stand, the Delta is closed (but many reviews on Amazon refer to a severe vibration in the Delta, most due to warped stands).
The Grizzly includes a very good quality fence system and "okay" miter gauge while neither is included with the Delta. I may not need them often, but they are included with the Grizzly, and can be used on other machines or tables if I need them.
The Grizzly has to be shipped, then assembled. I can pick up the Delta directly from the floor already assembled but spend $40 in gas going to get it.
I have been completely satisfied with my 17" Grizzly and with their customer support (other folks' mileage may vary on the support issue). Still, with Grizzly I have to worry about damaged or defective parts and dealing with a company 400 miles away, while the Delta dealer is only an hour away and is highly respected in our area.
What to do, what to do?????
You get the idea. Thanks for letting me ramble and think this through. And thanks for any opinions, rambling or otherwise, that you might wish to share!