two band saws in one shop?

[Bob Riefer]

Hi!
Thanks again for the recent assistance in tuning my Grizzly G0555 band saw. I learned a lot and the tool is running great again.

As luck would have it, I think I may have stumbled upon a good deal, and am considering adding a second band saw to the shop.

My neighbor is that guy that always finds himself in the possession of tools, shop cabinets, parts etc. This time it was a freestanding Shopsmith 11" 505641 model that he has agreed to sell to me for $40. It's spotless, runs smoothly, and comes with about a dozen (seemingly still sharp) blades. I couldn't find any missing parts, and maybe just need to tune it up, perhaps replace the tires. Plus, I just need a dolly to move it from his house across the street to mine.

Questions:
1) Decent deal?

2) My quick research shows that these saws are pretty well-regarded by many... yes?

3) With the two band saws in a smallish shop like mine (about 20 x 20), do you have any recommendations on how I use them in my shop workflow? (first brainstorm was to set one up for light-duty re-sawing and straight cuts on thicker material, leaving the other for curve cuts... which for which?)

Thanks!

Bob R.

[Mick Simon]

Sounds like a really good deal to me. I'd keep a small ⅛" - ¼" on the SS for cutting curves and put a ½" on the Grizzly for heavier ripping and light resawing. I have 2 bandsaws also and love not having to change back and forth.

[Zachary Hoyt]

I got a second bandsaw last year, and now that I have had two I wouldn't want to go back. Building musical instruments is my livelihood, so I am often making just one or two cuts at a time. I have an 18" saw with a 1/2" blade for ripping, resawing and crosscut work with a miter gauge, and larger curves. Now I also have a 10" saw with a 1/4" blade for tighter turns. For instance when I cut out the pieces for a banjo neck I make all of the cuts on the big saw except for the tight curve at the heel, and I used to carve out a wider channel with the big saw and make the turn that way but now I just turn off the big saw, walk over to the little one and make that 3" long cut and walk back before the big saw has even stopped spinning, and I get a much cleaner cut now too.
Zach

[Ray Newman]

My take: over the years, I have come across/been offered very good deals on tools and machines. Could not take advantage because of space limitations.

As I did, ask yourself: how much space will it take up when not in use? Can really I afford to loose that space in the shop, or will it just get in the way? How often will it be used and will its usage justify giving up shop space?

[Bob Riefer]

All comments above are helpful, thank you!



My take: over the years, I have come across/been offered very good deals on tools and machines. Could not take advantage because of space limitations.

As I did, ask yourself: how much space will it take up when not in use? Can really I afford to loose that space in the shop, or will it just get in the way? How often will it be used and will its usage justify giving up shop space?


My thoughts are... I don't know the answers to how much I'll use the extra setup yet. But at $40, if I change my mind it should be pretty easy to undo the decision, and I think there are a few spots the machine can live without hurting my shop space in the meantime.

[Mark Gibney]

$40, a machine that works well, that you can pick up and place in the back of your truck without equipment or help? I’d buy it.

[Doug Garson]

Sounds like a no brainer if you have the space, a dozen usable blades are probably worth 3 times what you are paying for the saw.

[glenn bradley]

My thoughts are... I don't know the answers to how much I'll use the extra setup yet. But at $40, if I change my mind it should be pretty easy to undo the decision, and I think there are a few spots the machine can live without hurting my shop space in the meantime.

I'm sure the inappropriate situation exists but, I make enough use of 2 bandsaws to where I would recommend having them to anyone who asked. I sold my small bandsaw when I bought my larger saw. I last about 2 weeks and then went out and bought another small bandsaw. Learn from our mistakes. For $40, go for it.

[Rob Charles]

Some decisions in life are easy. This strikes me as one of those easy ones. At $40 & the stated condition & blades, you should not loose any money if you decide in the future that it is not for you. +1 on Zachary's suggestion.

[Tom M King]

I have four, and think that's close to the right number.

[Rob Charles]

I have four, and think that's close to the right number.

Agreed! Currently, 5 reside in my shop (including the horizontal metal cutting) but am about to put the wood cutting Milwalkee/Delta 14" for sale on CL.

[Randall J Cox]

I have a small old Delta 10" bandsaw that I keep a 1/4" blade on for small stuff and curves. I also have a 18" MiniMax that I keep a 1/2" blade on for straight cuts. Works for me as a hobbyist. Randy

[Tom M King]

Agreed! Currently, 5 reside in my shop (including the horizontal metal cutting) but am about to put the wood cutting Milwalkee/Delta 14" for sale on CL.
I didn't count metal cutting ones. They aren't in the same shop.

[Rick Potter]

While you are deciding a no brainer, your other neighbor may be taking it home.

I have lost good deals like this before. Don't let it become a head slapper, unless you enjoy telling friends about 'the one that got away'.

[Bob Riefer]

(he already has my $$ and we agreed I can bring it home in a couple days when my shop is back in order after the tornado-like table saw repairs I'm working on)

[Steve Saah]

Can't go wrong for $40! That's worth the price in just not having to swap blades nearly as often.

[Pete Staehling]

Yeah, I had a similar decision when I saw a great deal on a little delta bandsaw which would be a third bandsaw. I thought i was being silly bringing another one into my small and crowded shop, but all three get used every day. Truth be told, my little ones are set up with a sled and a fence for making tiny parts so I could actually use another one to avoid having to break down those setups. Ideally I'd set up the 14" with a narrow blade and get a bigger saw (that would be number 4) for re-sawing, but space limitations don't allow for that.

[Erik Loza]

Bandsaws and shapers: The more, the better.

Erik

[J. Greg Jones]

I have a 14” Delta and an 18” Rikon in my shop, and I seriously think I’d rather give up my table saw before parting with one of the bandsaws. I think you will easily put both to good use.

[Bob Riefer]

I'm really excited about this evolution in my shop, and all the encouragement is great.

I really feel like I haven't maximized my use of the band saw thus far in my woodworking journey. My table saw gets the heaviest workout in my shop by a huge margin right now, and I've only ever used the band saw for curve cutting. I feel like I've been really missing out on many other uses.

Time to find some videos to get some ideas on what is possible. :-)

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I didn’t have time to read all replies. The shopsmith is a nice little saw. I would get it. I have two Rikon bandsaws in my shop: one 3hp 220 professional 14” and one 120 smaller hp 14”. One is set up for heavier cuts, and the other for tight curves. It’s a great thing to have if ya have the space.