Any insights on the South Bend 16” bandsaw?

[John Nelson - San Diego]

Hello fellow woodworkers,
I am in the thick of bandsaw research. Up until now the front runner for me is the Laguna 18BX. I am looking in the range of 14”-18” with a max budget of $3K. I just came across the South Bend 16” bandsaw (SB1080) and it looks like an amazing machine. Heavy (475lb), rack and pinion table adjustment, big table, and a great table height (41” table height, I’m 6’1”). I can’t seem to find much info on user experience with this bandsaw and was hoping someone that has it can chime in, or someone who has used it. It looks like a solid machine and what I am learning is that a good bandsaw should be heavy with cast iron wheels. This one, including the 18BX, fit the requirements for sure. The two main factors that set the SB1080 apart from the 18BX on paper for me are the higher table (41” for the South Bend vs “38” for the 18BX) and the rack and pinion table adjustment on the South Bend. Thanks for your time and any feedback. -John

[Jim Becker]

Southbend is a Grizzly brand so that offer is going to be very similar to one of the Grizzly branded tools of the same size and horsepower. You may actually get a better price for the "Green" version rather than the "Blue" version in that respect. Grizzly markets Southbend as their premium brand...

[Zachary Hoyt]

Table height is important. I have a plinth made from two pieces of 8x8 and two of 2x6 under my Parks 18" bandsaw, which raises it up 10".

[Alex Zeller]

I haven't seen much to know what the difference is between the Grizzly version of SB tools. It could be just paint or it could be tighter tolerances. SB could be made with better bearings. It would be nice if Grizzly would document it. If it's just paint color then your paying for an extra year of warranty. That being said I really like my 19" Grizzly bandsaw. It came with bad tires and vibrated like crazy. But once replaced it's sooth as silk now. The other saw I was looking at was the BX18 but the Grizzly had a much beefier trunnion and the rack and pinion table adjustment. Since I cut up heavy wet banks to turn on a lathe I opted for to give up resaw height for a stronger table. I've never looked at the SB1080 so I don't have an opinion on it.

[John Nelson - San Diego]

Thank you Alex. As Jim mentioned, South Bend is the premium brand that Grizzly sells. My guess is that the fit and finish will be better than Grizzly. The SB1080 at 16" is 476lb wheras the 19" grizzly is 427lb. Quite a difference between the 16" and 19" saws. As I mentioned before, the table height on the South Bend is 3" higher than the Grizzly saws. This is an important factor for me as I am 6' 1". Finding it hard not to consider the South Bend as it is in my price range, and very close in price to the 18BX.


I haven't seen much to know what the difference is between the Grizzly version of SB tools. It could be just paint or it could be tighter tolerances. SB could be made with better bearings. It would be nice if Grizzly would document it. If it's just paint color then your paying for an extra year of warranty. That being said I really like my 19" Grizzly bandsaw. It came with bad tires and vibrated like crazy. But once replaced it's sooth as silk now. The other saw I was looking at was the BX18 but the Grizzly had a much beefier trunnion and the rack and pinion table adjustment. Since I cut up heavy wet banks to turn on a lathe I opted for to give up resaw height for a stronger table. I've never looked at the SB1080 so I don't have an opinion on it.

[Bill Dufour]

I would look for a used bandsaw. Not much to go wrong unless the trunnions get broken in the move. A Grob, Doall, Rockwell, Powermatic with a three phase motor, upgraded guides and vfd would be well in your budget.
A blade welder is not safe around sawdust.
Bill D.
Search tempest is your friend.
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