Band saw Question

[Kelly Burgess]

I need a bandsaw to make small toys with and am thinking of buying a used 14" model but the website says the smallest blade I can put on it is 3/8" and I need a 1/8" or 3/16" at least. Is it normal to have a minimum size on a 14" bandsaw?
Also, I'm in Canada and I am looking at a Bus Bee which I think is only here in Canada?

[Lee Schierer]

I've run 3/16" on my Delta 14" with no problem. You would have ot really watch your tension on a 1/8" BS blade I would think.

[Mike Heidrick]

So I have a MM20 now and it specs out a 1/8" blade as an option. I have ran 1/8" blades on my previous Jet open stand 14" saw no problem at all.

I think it is a matter of finding the right length blade and tensioning it properly.

[Jason Beam]

I've run 1/8" blades on my 14" Jet without any trouble. The things that create the limitation have to do with the guides, usually. Some guide systems aren't able to move "forward" far enough to trap a thinner blade. Generally, when I'm working with blades smaller than 1/4", I bury the blade in the guides. I find that works best for me. To do that, though, the guide assembly needs to move up quite a ways as does the thrust bearing. This might be what limits the low end on the saw you're looking at.

[Kelly Burgess]

Thanks to you all for your info I'll keep looking for a bandsaw that fills my needs.

[Brent Ring]

PM Sent to you!

[John Terefenko]

I have a Delta 14" bandsaw and use a 1/8", a 3/16" blade with no problem. But here is the thing I use to get good results.
http://www.woodcraft.com/images/products/140819_230.jpg

Worth the money.

[Eric Larsen]

I need a bandsaw to make small toys with and am thinking of buying a used 14" model but the website says the smallest blade I can put on it is 3/8" and I need a 1/8" or 3/16" at least. Is it normal to have a minimum size on a 14" bandsaw?
Also, I'm in Canada and I am looking at a Bus Bee which I think is only here in Canada?

Since they're small toys, why not use a scroll saw?

[John Thompson]

Agree wtih Eric to consider a scroll saw if the toys are that small. I have an 18" BS and 1/8" blades would work crudely... but not very well. I also have a Jet 12" and it would probably would be perfect for something just a little large than a scroll saw can handle. I use it with a 1/4" blade for general curve cutting to avoid having to change the 3/4" on my larger BS.

There are other 12" models.. but from comparing the 12"s.. the Jet is the best made with plenty of cast iron IMO..

Good luck..

Sarge..