Bob Ball
02-12-2014, 6:04 PM
Grizzly rates their 514 bandsaws to run up to 1.25" wide blades, without specifying carbon steel, bimetal or carbide tipped. Based on the many favorable reviews here I was set to order a Lennox Woodmaster CT (they come no narrower than 1"), when I found a few old threads that slowed me down.
I found posts from folks questioning if the 514 series could properly tension this blade (Vern H.) and others that thought it was quite difficult to get the 1" blade on and off this saw (John C.), and maybe not worth the hassle.
Any updates from these folks or others with experience tensioning/using the 1" Woodmaster CT on a Grizzly 514? If it works OK for you, which TPI would you recommend?
The consensus seems to be that the Lennoz Trimaster, which can be had 3/4" wide, costs a lot more for a small improvment in longevity/smoothness. That being said, if a 1" wide Woodmaster CT is too much for a 514 to reliably tension, does a 3/4" Trimaster (narrower, but a thicker band) require less force to properly tension? and does that make it a better choice for this BS?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience with this saw. Thanks.
I found posts from folks questioning if the 514 series could properly tension this blade (Vern H.) and others that thought it was quite difficult to get the 1" blade on and off this saw (John C.), and maybe not worth the hassle.
Any updates from these folks or others with experience tensioning/using the 1" Woodmaster CT on a Grizzly 514? If it works OK for you, which TPI would you recommend?
The consensus seems to be that the Lennoz Trimaster, which can be had 3/4" wide, costs a lot more for a small improvment in longevity/smoothness. That being said, if a 1" wide Woodmaster CT is too much for a 514 to reliably tension, does a 3/4" Trimaster (narrower, but a thicker band) require less force to properly tension? and does that make it a better choice for this BS?
I would appreciate hearing from anyone with experience with this saw. Thanks.