Doall 16" bandsaw for woodworking

[Bill Dufour]

I am thinking about getting a bandsaw for wood and limited metal cutting. A used 16" Doall seems like a step up from my 14" Delta. The variable speed models go up to 5000 feet/minute so it should work with wood. It has 12" under the guides for resawing. It is plenty beefy to tension a wide blade. I think it maxes out at one inch wide blades.
Any thoughts on guides and is it too clumsy for wood. I do not plan on any serious resawing.
Bill D.

Link to old photo

https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/UefPIt.UiixkXoskFE.nuQ.jpg

[John Welty]

I have a Doall 1612 with full variable speed, also hi/low range for the drive transmission. Thus it goes from 50-5000 fpm. I love it. I can cut metal at a very slow speed to wood as fast as I need. I have cut Hard maple 11 1/2 wide using a 1/2 inch carbide blade into veneer less then 1/32 inch thick. It did need some sanding after though. I installed a 2hp motor 220v/single phase when my phase converter died. I think its a bit under powered, maybe an extra hp would be the best bet. Wiring needs beefed up for higher amp load. I think I wouldn't go over 3/4 inch blade, for me a good 1/2 inch blade slabs wood just fine. Have tried 3/4 inch blades but don't see enough difference between 1/2 and 3/4 inch. Just me

[John Welty]

Forgot to add
One downfall, my saw is not the best with sawdust. I haven't come up with a good way to hook up a vacuum system as many newer band saws have. My saw has a removable tray which although works not well but guess it better then nothing.

[Mike Cutler]

The one at work doesn't have any problems cutting wood. It's pretty good on metal too.
I wouldn't hesitate to get one of the smaller ones, such as you found. I always see the big monsters for sale on CL.
IMHO, it's a pretty good step up from a Delta 14". ;)

[John Welty]

My doall 1612 (16" throat, 12" height) weighs in the order of 1200 lbs. Was a chore getting it into the shop then placed to where i wanted it to go. Its a beast.

[Bill Dufour]

I have just started thinking/looking but I think to get wood speeds you have to get the variable speed. I have not seen a high speed only version. They did make more of the slow speed only units that are too slow for wood.
Someone on Craigs list near me has a band file blade for $30 but it is not clear how long it is.
Bill D

[Peter Kelly]

Most of them come with a blade welder / grinder so you can make your own.

[Bill Dufour]

I have read some people say the welder only works on carbon steel blades others say they have welded bi-metal blades with no problem. The welder is three phase but an easy rewiring to run off 240 single phase.
Bill D.

[John Welty]

I have blades for my 1612 cut to 120".
I paid $1500 for my saw, (doller a pound?) rotary phase converter, maybe 10 new blades, and a box of extras including v belts, a sliding miter and rip fence from doall. Also included were 20 or so guides for different thickness blades. I tell people who look at the beast "it helped win the war", I let their imagination figure out which war...
The guy I bought it from used it to cut wood before he turned them on his lathe. He sold the saw to me as he was buying a new " resaw" type band saw. About a month later he called and asked if I would be willing to trade saws. I turned him down.
Is the saw as good as a dedicated wood cutting band saw? Maybe not. But I use it to cut wood and metal, Have cut 1/2 steel plate with the thing besides 11 1/2 inch maple I veneered.

[Tim Offutt]

I have read some people say the welder only works on carbon steel blades others say they have welded bi-metal blades with no problem. The welder is three phase but an easy rewiring to run off 240 single phase.
Bill D.

I have a large Doall with the blade welder an I routinely weld both carbon and bi-metal blades. It is rated for max of 1" width but I have welded 1-1/4" for the woodmizer.

[Chuck Saunders]

We had a 3616 3 wheel 36" throat used primarily for wood. Excellent saw and I would expect no less from a 16. And don't let them fool you, dust collection on a bandsaw just isn't that good.
Chuck