Eric Klock
04-27-2008, 12:19 PM
I'm having a difficult time deciding beween the Jet jwbs-18x nd Grizzly g0513x2 band saws. Yesterday I was able to take a look at the Jet at a tool dealer some 65 miles away from my home.
I was trying to estimate the stiffness of the frame and it's ability to resist twisting. While grasping the main column with my left hand I applied pressure to the outer portion of the upper wheel house. I could visibly see the blade move backwards in relation to the thoat plate approximatey a 1/16". I have no way of measuring the amount of force I put on the frame nor do I have an accurate measurment of the amount of movement. None the less it bothered me enough not to buy the saw. But should it?
I read FWW's review of the jwbs-18 and later their follow-up video when the -18x was introduced. They publish a frame deflection of .0293" under 16lbs of force. Were they measuring the frame the same way I was? Deflecting downward or twisting on the spine?
Do you think the g0513x2 would twist this much?
A few more observations of the jwbs-18x:
The once smallish thumbscrews on the upper guide bearings are now larger wingnut-headed screws. All guide bearings (upper and lower) are easily adjusted without any tools nor do they require moving the table.
The saw I looked at was definately equipped with white urethane tires. There was a 20" Powermatic sitting next to it which had black rubber tires so the white urethanes really stood out, to me anyway.
The table thickness is about 3/8" between the webbings. I don't know what the thickness is of the g513x2 but from the pictures I've seen it looks lie the Grizzly has much thicker webs.
The dealer offered to knock $50 bucks off the $1199 price. When combined with the $100 rebate through 4/30 the jwbs-18x and g0513x2 become the same price (that's accounting for the freight charges on the Grizzly).
Should I be overly concerned about the frame twisting on the Jet? Or just buy the saw and be happy with it. Is there something else to consider about these saws that I may have over looked?
I have read every thread and comment on every board and forum I could find. I've spent 3 weeks reading bandsaw threads, I need to make some sawdust.
I was trying to estimate the stiffness of the frame and it's ability to resist twisting. While grasping the main column with my left hand I applied pressure to the outer portion of the upper wheel house. I could visibly see the blade move backwards in relation to the thoat plate approximatey a 1/16". I have no way of measuring the amount of force I put on the frame nor do I have an accurate measurment of the amount of movement. None the less it bothered me enough not to buy the saw. But should it?
I read FWW's review of the jwbs-18 and later their follow-up video when the -18x was introduced. They publish a frame deflection of .0293" under 16lbs of force. Were they measuring the frame the same way I was? Deflecting downward or twisting on the spine?
Do you think the g0513x2 would twist this much?
A few more observations of the jwbs-18x:
The once smallish thumbscrews on the upper guide bearings are now larger wingnut-headed screws. All guide bearings (upper and lower) are easily adjusted without any tools nor do they require moving the table.
The saw I looked at was definately equipped with white urethane tires. There was a 20" Powermatic sitting next to it which had black rubber tires so the white urethanes really stood out, to me anyway.
The table thickness is about 3/8" between the webbings. I don't know what the thickness is of the g513x2 but from the pictures I've seen it looks lie the Grizzly has much thicker webs.
The dealer offered to knock $50 bucks off the $1199 price. When combined with the $100 rebate through 4/30 the jwbs-18x and g0513x2 become the same price (that's accounting for the freight charges on the Grizzly).
Should I be overly concerned about the frame twisting on the Jet? Or just buy the saw and be happy with it. Is there something else to consider about these saws that I may have over looked?
I have read every thread and comment on every board and forum I could find. I've spent 3 weeks reading bandsaw threads, I need to make some sawdust.