Smaller blades on bigger bandsaws

[Ron Kellison]

I'm heading down to Muncie, PA sometime over the next couple of weeks to look over the G490 jointer and 513X2 bandsaw. I'm one of those people who have to actually see, touch and fiddle with a piece of equipment before I fork over the cash. I've looked at the Steel City jointers and bandsaws and, while they are a great product, the Grizzly tools seem to represent a better value.

I still have a couple of questions regarding the bandsaw. I need an all-round machine that can handle a fair amount of resawing as well as the basic curved cuts encountered in many projects. How well does the G0513 handle 1/2" and 1/4" blades? I also have a smallish shop (18 x 22) and I'll be looking to put the bandsaw on a mobile base. Do I need to worry about the bandsaw being top-heavy?

[Richard Dragin]

It'll handle 1/2" and 1/4" no problem, those are right in the middle of it's range.
The question should be will it actually handle 1" and 1/8" like the literature states. I havn't tried a 1" but I'd guess it would push the limits of tensioning. I have tried a 1/8" and while I got it to work you just can't align the bearing on that small of a blade.
If you plan on using a 1/8" you need to switch to guide blocks but for the 1/2" and 1/4" you asked about it runs them perfectly/

[John Browne]

I've used a 1" TW and a 1/8" TW--both work fine. It will JUST hold a 1/8" but it will work. Best overall resaw blade is a 3/4" Woodslicer from Highland Hardware.

[Al Navas]

I use the widest and the narrowest of blades on my 17-inch Grizzly. The key to narrow blades is the use of the Carter stabilizer - this photo of a 1/8-inch blade on the band saw is from a post about my shop (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=65892&highlight=carter+stabilizer)that I made some ago, and this other thread (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=46050&highlight=carter+stabilizer) addresses narrow blades on this same band saw:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/Sandal_Woods/Shop%20Tools/Stabilizerand0.jpg]



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[jim oakes]

I use the widest and the narrowest of blades on my 17-inch Grizzly. The key to narrow blades is the use of the Carter stabilizer - this photo of a 1/8-inch blade on the band saw is from a post about my shop (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=65892&highlight=carter+stabilizer)that I made some ago, and this other thread (http://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=46050&highlight=carter+stabilizer) addresses narrow blades on this same band saw:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/Sandal_Woods/Shop%20Tools/Stabilizerand0.jpg]



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Al, What guides do you use below the table?

[Al Navas]

Al, What guides do you use below the table?
Hi, Jim.

For the narrow blades, the ONLY thing you want to use is the Carter stabilizer; the feel is very much like using a scroll saw with the 1/8-inch blade.

For all blades wider than 3/8-inch I use the all-bearing, matched Carter guides, both above and below the table. This way you get the best possible support for the blade - the photo below is the set of Carter Convesion Kit guides for the 17-inch Grizzly band saw (http://www.carterproducts.com/product.asp?product_id=408&cat_id=13), from their web site. Two bearings support the blade laterally, and the thrust (vertical) bearings support the blade's back edge in their grooves:

http://www.carterproducts.com/images/Grizzly17.jpg


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[Al Navas]

...I also have a smallish shop (18 x 22) and I'll be looking to put the band saw on a mobile base. Do I need to worry about the band saw being top-heavy?

Ron,

I apologize for missing this part of your post. If you look at this photo I included as part of a photo tour of my shop on my blog, you will see I have the 17-inch band saw on a mobile base. I have never had any problems while moving it; however, others might think it "feels" top-heavy. I believe you might be able to tip it, if you are not careful and watch what you are doing. BUT I also believe I could tip over my 8-inch jointer!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/Sandal_Woods/Shop%20Tools/September%202007/1-RTLumber-BS-TS-Sanders.jpg?t=1190739747 (http://javascript<b></b>:void(0);)