Shop Fox W1707 Bandsaw vs. PM 14" mod 141

[Dave MacArthur]

Hi,
I am in the market for a used bandsaw, and these two are available to me on CraigsList. 1000$ for the 1707, 650$ for the PM. I'd like to get 12" resaw, and would try to add a riser block to the PM. I've never seen comments on either of these two saws, and googling the Shop Fox just gave me info indicating it is made by Woodstock Int., but no good reviews. Any thoughts on these two? I'm leaning towards a welded frame vs. cast iron.

[Roy Wall]

Dave,

I don't think you can add a riser block to the PM 141. THis saw was discontinued around 1998. It is a solid CI machine with 6" resaw height. It usually shipped with a 1/2 or 3/4 hp motor-- 1 or 3ph - not enough for easy 12" resaw

I don't know anything about the Shop Fox.

Sent you a PM (private Message)....

[Ralph Lindberg]

Shop Fox and Grizzly are owned by the same people. I just found a W1707 (new) on eBay for $1053 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Shop-Fox-W1707-17-2hp-Bandsaw-w-Accessories_W0QQitemZ170114199821QQihZ007QQcategor yZ57124QQcmdZViewItem)

The W1707 is just about exactly the same unit as the G0513 or G0513X, both of which are available for less then $1000 new.

It's a good saw, but not worth $1000 used.

[Larry Fox]

I can confirm what Roy said. I have the PM 141 and it is indeed a solid CI beast and this can't accept a riser block.

[Brian Clevenger]

I can confirm that my local dealer has the Shop Fox for under $950. I wouldn't pay more than $600 for the used SF.

The 141 is a fabulous saw. Probably the best 14" ever made. There may be some that will argue with that, but not very many that have actually used one. However, it cannot be raised, and it is a little weak in the motor for resawing even at 6".

[Jake Helmboldt]

As others mentioned the ShopFox goes for about that much NEW, so no way I'd pay that for a used one. Contact Woodstock Intl and find a local dealer to get a new price on it and use that to bargain the price down if you are interested in the used one. A quick search online shows dealers pricing that model below $1,000 so you can probably find it nearby at a dealer new for less than the seller of the used one wants.

It depends on the condition, but I'd expect to at least get a couple hundred off the price of new, especially since there is no warranty on the used one (2 yrs on new). I have the 1729 (19" model) and I've been happy with it. As others mentioned it is essentially Grizzly's retail line sold through dealers.