Band saw upgrade?

[David Wilhelm]

I'm looking at a jet 16" 3hp. The price is right. It wont have an easy life if I get it. I'd use it more as a small saw mill than anything. I think it should be big enough for my needs. I'm not really in the market but I dont want to let this one go I can sure use it. Any thoughts?

[Bill Embrey]

David, I have the Rikon 18" 2hp bandsaw. I purchased it primarily for the same reason... milling logs. I've added a 2' outfeed table and built the log milling jig from May '07 Wood magazine to hold the logs. I also use a Timberwolf 1" blade.

If that saw has 12" resaw capacity and large enough for a 3/4 or larger blade (and is in your price range) I'd say go for it.

[Reed Gray]

If you can, get as big of a saw as you can afford. There always seems to be times when you will say,"Gee, I wish I had a bigger saw!!". Been there, done that, more HP, and height. For resawing, on a vertical mill/saw, a sled is almost a must (takes care of infeed and outfeed tables), along with a power feed. A Lennox bimetal resaw blade is the best, 1 1/4 inch, or as wide as your saw can hold. The bimetal keeps an edge better, and doesn't dull as much when you hit nails. You have to hit several before it needs resharpening. I have a Laguna 16HD, 5 hp, 30 amp circuit, and 16 resaw capacity. I wish I had more height. I may upgrade. I seldom turn bowls bigger than 16 inch diameter because they are more of a specialty market. I am getting a bigger lathe (Robust) so may have to get a 24 inch resaw capacity.
robo hippy

no, I don't have a tool buying problem. Well, not really.

[David Walser]

If you can, get as big of a saw as you can afford. There always seems to be times when you will say,"Gee, I wish I had a bigger saw!!". Been there, done that, more HP, and height. For resawing, on a vertical mill/saw, a sled is almost a must (takes care of infeed and outfeed tables), along with a power feed. A Lennox bimetal resaw blade is the best, 1 1/4 inch, or as wide as your saw can hold. The bimetal keeps an edge better, and doesn't dull as much when you hit nails. You have to hit several before it needs resharpening. I have a Laguna 16HD, 5 hp, 30 amp circuit, and 16 resaw capacity. I wish I had more height. I may upgrade. I seldom turn bowls bigger than 16 inch diameter because they are more of a specialty market. I am getting a bigger lathe (Robust) so may have to get a 24 inch resaw capacity.


A new Robust and a new, larger, Laguna? Somehow I've got to get my wife to believe that this is typical for woodturner hobbyists. Can we have a few more posts like this? "But, Dear, you're the one who said I needed to get a hoby..." :)

[Greg Heppeard]

I like my Jet 16"

[Nathan Hawkes]

A new Robust and a new, larger, Laguna? Somehow I've got to get my wife to believe that this is typical for woodturner hobbyists. Can we have a few more posts like this? "But, Dear, you're the one who said I needed to get a hoby..." :)



:):)


I have major tool envy right now!!

[Richard Madison]

Still cheaper than a new bass boat.