20 inch Bandsaw vs 14 inch

[Stephen Bandirola]

I am looking for a better bandsaw, (I have a shopsmith bandsaw shaped thing now). It seems like the standard saws that Woodcraft and Rockler sell are 14 inch. Looking around on Craigslist and other places I can find older 18 or 20 inch bandsaws for about the same price. I assume the more heavy duty solid construction of the bigger units would be beneficial. I think that I would also like to resaw hardwood logs into "free lumber" so the increased capacity would be nice.
Are there drawbacks to the bigger saws? I know I would have to cleanup, restore the older bandsaws.

Steve

[Matt Day]

Get both! I have a 24” saw for bigger work and resaw, and a 14” saw for curves and small stuff.
Big saws have a minimum blade width so can’t cut the super small curves. My 24” saw can run 3/8” at the the smallest I think. My small saw can’t hog through thick material like my bigger one. You’re also limited with resaw height and horsepower.

[Richard Coers]

Biggest problem with a bigger saw is getting it home and in your shop. Then you need a bigger 220 circuit in your shop, and it takes up more floor space. Also much harder to get on a mobile base and move it if you go that route.

[Don Jarvie]

If your looking to resaw look for saws with large resaw capabilities. While older saws are bigger they don’t have the resaw capacity of the newer ones. The new 14 inch saws from Laguna, Rikon, etc have a 12 inch resaw capacity compared to the traditional 14 inch saws that have a 6 inch resaw.

[Bill Dufour]

Older big saws tend to have poor blade guides. Often stackable metal plates which are missing so you can only run one blade width. Make sure there are modern blades guides to fit your saw before purchase.. Older Rockwells need special tires with a rib, about $100 each.
Bill D

[Stephen Bandirola]

Thank you, good things to know and take into consideration.

[Andrew Hughes]

A bandsaw with a 14 inch wheel is so lite weight compared to a 20 inch.
Its like comparing a job site tablesaw to a cabinet saw.
I wouldn’t count on using it for cutting wet logs because that’s a whole different kettle of fish.

[Edwin Santos]

Some of the answer may depend on the work you do or aspire to do.
I have both a 20" and a 14" and to me they are two somewhat different tools. The smaller saw excels at cutting curves and finer work including the fact that the table is much higher than the bigger saw. A higher table puts you closer to the work which is nice for fine work i.e. cutting to a curved line. OTOH, the bigger saw excels at handling larger pieces of wood, ripping, veneering, resawing, and it will tension larger blades.

Bottom line, one is not better than the other, they each have their advantages and only you can determine how important those advantages are to you.

Someone above mentioned the newer Laguna and Rikon saws which seem to me to be an attempt at a hybrid solution and might be worth a look.

Edwin

[Alex Zeller]

When you are talking about "free lumber" what size logs are you planning on? Logs can be heavy since they are green and turning them from a round shape to square is a fair bit of work. Is your shop designed for you to bring logs into it?

I like old iron but finding parts can get expensive fast. I had a chance to buy a Powermatic 81 with 24" of resaw capacity but it had a 1 1/2 HP motor on it. While trying to move it the seller had lost control of it and it fell over. That broke a couple of pieces like the trunion for the table. Since he couldn't buy the parts he had a welder repair them. While I love to putter on things I don't want to working on finding parts or having parts made when I could be actually woodworking. It could be very different for you.

I ended up with a new 19" Grizzly. Even though I would call it on the lower end price wise of the 20" saws and not as heavy as the more expensive Italian saws it's a major jump up over the 14" saws (a HF cheapo, a Jet, and a Delta) that I had been using before getting it. I don't think I would go less than 3 hp in a saw of this size.

[Bill Dufour]

many bandsaws become scrap when they are moved with the table attached. It falls into something or is grabbed and the trunnions break. Consider metal saws not just wood saws. If the FPM is correct a metal saw is usually heavier built. Grob, clausing/startrite, rockwell, powermatic, crescent are all good brands.
Bil lD

[Stephen Bandirola]

When you are talking about "free lumber" what size logs are you planning on? Logs can be heavy since they are green and turning them from a round shape to square is a fair bit of work. Is your shop designed for you to bring logs into it?



Yes, I know my limitations, small logs I guess, already halved or quartered if too large.

[Bill Space]

When you are talking about "free lumber" what size logs are you planning on? Logs can be heavy since they are green and turning them from a round shape to square is a fair bit of work. Is your shop designed for you to bring logs into it?

I like old iron but finding parts can get expensive fast. I had a chance to buy a Powermatic 81 with 24" of resaw capacity but it had a 1 1/2 HP motor on it. While trying to move it the seller had lost control of it and it fell over. That broke a couple of pieces like the trunion for the table. Since he couldn't buy the parts he had a welder repair them. While I love to putter on things I don't want to working on finding parts or having parts made when I could be actually woodworking. It could be very different for you.

I ended up with a new 19" Grizzly. Even though I would call it on the lower end price wise of the 20" saws and not as heavy as the more expensive Italian saws it's a major jump up over the 14" saws (a HF cheapo, a Jet, and a Delta) that I had been using before getting it. I don't think I would go less than 3 hp in a saw of this size.

Are you sure about 24” resaw capacity for that saw? Seems to be an amazing number for vertical shop band saw. If I knew the answer I would not ask.

[Jim Becker]

Yes, I know my limitations, small logs I guess, already halved or quartered if too large.
Without substantial material handling setups, sawing logs isn't something one normally does in their shop. Even small logs weigh hundreds of pounds, a lot of it water. The water is also a factor....it takes the correct specialty blade setup and may require lubrication that one wouldn't normally do with an in-shop stationary saw. What's more common is taking slices of a short log section that has incredible figure or spaulting, etc., often from more seasoned stuff. Some people like to mine the firewood pile after its sat for a year or tow because there can be some really interesting stuff to be found. Processing reclaimed material can be a very kewel thing and the bigger saw is great for that!

Big saws are great for ripping, resawing and heavy reclamation work. Small saws are great for finesse work. That's why folks will say having both is ideal.

[Norman Pirollo]

Edwin brought up a good point that I also noticed. The tables on dedicated "resaw" bandsaws are much lower and this precludes doing fine work.
I have been using an original USA made Delta 14 in. bandsaw for almost 25 yrs. now.. Have thought of upgrading to a larger bandsaw but a lower table changed my mind. Instead, I upgraded the Delta 14 in. with a 1 HP motor and resaw extension, better springs, improved fence system, much improved dust collection, etc.
429656

That's my story.
Norman

[Mike Kees]

Edwin brought up a good point that I also noticed. The tables on dedicated "resaw" bandsaws are much lower and this precludes doing fine work.
I have been using an original USA made Delta 14 in. bandsaw for almost 25 yrs. now.. Have thought of upgrading to a larger bandsaw but a lower table changed my mind. Instead, I upgraded the Delta 14 in. with a 1 HP motor and resaw extension, better springs, improved fence system, much improved dust collection, e

That's my story.
Norman
I followed the same road as Norman with my first saw. Still have the Delta. My next saw was a Steel city 18'' saw that I really liked. I sold it when I found my current large saw, a Centauro CO 600. I really wish I had kept the Steel city as my all around smaller blade saw and sold the Delta. I also really like having two bandsaws and would not like to go back to just one. If I was forced to have just one saw it would be in the 17''-19'' size as I think these saws are the best "all around" saws.

[Dave Sabo]

Are you sure about 24” resaw capacity for that saw? Seems to be an amazing number for vertical shop band saw. If I knew the answer I would not ask.

A Powermatic 81 has nowhere near 24" resaw capacity. It's 12" if you really crank up the guides. The throat clearance is almost 20".

[Erik Loza]

Get BOTH

Erik

[Alex Zeller]

Are you sure about 24” resaw capacity for that saw? Seems to be an amazing number for vertical shop band saw. If I knew the answer I would not ask.

From what I could find out Powermatic offered it with both 12" and 24" capacity. I think the 24" model may have been more rare than the 12".

I thought I had a picture of it still on my computer but couldn't find it. Here's a picture of the 24" model I found when I did a quick search. The one I was looking was an older version and didn't say Powermatic across the top. It had a P embossed on the upper wheel cover.
429717

[Rod Sheridan]

429724

Here's my model 81.................Rod.

[Stephen Bandirola]

I think I will keep my shopsmith 11" bandsaw for 1/8" and 1/4" blades (I already have the Carter guides and blade stabilizer) and keep up the search for a good deal on a 18"-20" bandsaw.

Steve

[Jim Becker]

That's a really good idea, Stephen. The 11" function is perfect for scrolling with narrow blades...no need to reinvent the wheel...and you still have the horizontal boring capability that SS has if yours is equipped for it. A big saw for big jobs rounds things out

[Stephen Bandirola]

I just bought a green MiniMax S45. It is from a high school and in need of some TLC. I was looking for something bigger but this is the best affordable one I could find.
Does anyone have a pdf of a manual?
The belt is totally done it has a Optibelt-vb 13 x 965 A38 is it the correct belt?
It is a 3 phase so I am going to put it on a VFD.
Any suggested maintenance, I need to perform it is from the early 90s.

Steve

[Jim Becker]

I don't believe the S45 ever had many changes over the years...try SCM/Minimax's Parts Pronto for a manual download.

[Stephen Bandirola]

I don't see the downloads, I did apply for an account maybe they will be there after I am approved.

[Dave Cav]

There is a MiniMax forum on Groups.io that's pretty good. As far as I'm concerned, the Parts Pronto website is totally useless.

[Bill Dufour]

FYI The VFM may slow it down enough to do limited aluminum cutting. It will not run it slow enough to cut iron or steel. The only way to cut ferrous metals is with a 10 to one or 20 to 1 transmission reduction.