Jet 16" Bandsaw - Opinions?

[Jim DeLaney]

My local Rocklers has what looks like a fairly good deal on the Jet 16" bandsaw - $799.00 with caster set.

Does anybody have or have they used this saw?

How does it compare to some of the others on the market? I know it's about a thousand dollars less than the Laguna LT-16, so presumably it'd be an 'apples-to-oranges' comparison, but even so, the Jet looks to be a pretty well-made saw.

Help me spend my money well...

[Chris Padilla]

Jim,

It doesn't really help you but FWW has an issue on the stands right now in which they go through about 10-12 brands of 18" bandsaws. It might be worth a flip through to see how the 18s faired against one another. The Jet 18" was included.

[Bruce Page]

Jim,

It doesn't really help you but FWW has an issue on the stands right now in which they go through about 10-12 brands of 18" bandsaws. It might be worth a flip through to see how the 18s faired against one another. The Jet 18" was included.I read the artical and I don't think the 18" Jet did that well. They did like the Grizzly as I recall.

[Chris Padilla]

Yeah, the Griz came out all right...top choice was Bridgewood...Jet was kinda dragged through the dirt a bit. Laguna did all right IIRC. It is worth a gander.

They had Griz, Lobo, Laguna, Bridgewood, Woodtek, Jet, Agazzani, Delta and others I can't quite recall right now.

[Bruce Page]

They had Griz, Lobo, Laguna, Bridgewood, Woodtek, Jet, Agazzani, Delta and others I can't quite recall right now.I'm just impressed that you could spell Agazzani!

I was trying to do a google on them a few weeks ago and butchered the hell out of that name! :confused:

[JayStPeter]

The Jet was on my list. I chose the Grizzly G0513. A side-by-side comparison of the two (after I purchased it) showed little obvious difference to me in perceived quality or construction (read beefiness).
IMHO, the Jet is a little short on the feature list in this comparison. Less resaw, less HP, pay-extra for fence.
The Jet is still a nice machine. As I said, my perception of the two saws was that they were very similar.
I strongly recommend the Grizzly as it is a very nice saw. My caveat is that it is Grizzly and you may have to deal with some Customer Service calls before you get it running right. It seems to me that Jet has better quality control on delivered products. I did have to deal with customer service on my saw, but it was excellent (once I talked to Bill C.).

I don't see a better bang for the buck around than the Grizzly.


Jay St. Peter

BTW - The FWW comparison is probably very valid as I believe the Jet 16 and 18 are very closely related. That is, same design, same factory floor (same motor?). The Grizzly they reviewed was from Grizzlys heavier duty line than the G0513. So, not valid there.

[Chris Padilla]

I'm just impressed that you could spell Agazzani!

I was trying to do a google on them a few weeks ago and butchered the hell out of that name! :confused:
Well, I've been drooling over Agazzani, MiniMax, Laguna, and Walker-Turner for several weeks now...I know where to find the info! :D I guess I'm done drooling...time to work and learn! :rolleyes:

[John Shuk]

I've used the Jet 16 and it is definately under powered. I'd opt for the Delta 18 it has 12 inches of resaw a 2hp motor and cast iron wheels for about 1200 dollars. Laguna also has the 14se might be worth looking at too. It has about the same resaw as the Jet but more power. You just have to see how much it is with shipping. My buddy has the Delta and I think you would be happy with it. I spoke with the Delta Rep and he said it was built to be better than the Jet in every way and somewhere in the middle of the Jet and the Laguna 16".

[Lars Thomas]

Jim, I've got one of them (also from Rockler). I've been happy with it. I have not noticed a power issue.

From my perspective the 17" Grizzley is a better 'deal' for the reasons Jay cited. I just didn't want to deal with having it delivered (getting it off the truck etc...)

[Greg Heppeard]

I own the Jet 16 and it works fine for me...I don't recommend putting any band saw on a mobile base, it just makes them unsteady. I put mine next to the wall anyway and it doesn't take up much room. The Euro guides that come on the 16 are ok, I haven't had any problems with them, I have, however had to replace several sets of the roller bearing guides used on the Jet 18 and 20 saws.

[Don Stanley]

I own the 16" Jet Bandsaw. It's a nice saw, and has a lot of good features. I went to the Grizzly showroom and looked at the Grizzly G5013, but they were on backorder. I recommend you make the effort to see what you buy; kick the tires so to speak.

The Jet has cast iron wheels, the Grizzly 17 has aluminum. I just recently heard the Grizzly 18" has cast iron, and possibly some other difference.

The 16" Jet has a smaller motor than the 18" Jet, although you wouldn't know it from the advertised specifications. The 18" also has a larger frame.

I haven't used my saw a lot, so I can't tell you how well it works for serious resawing. It is a smooth running machine, and is well constructed. I especially like the solid feel of the gear assembly that raises and lowers the blade guide. The 16" version has European style blade guides, and they work fine. However, the lower blade guides are hard to reach; not a problem until you want to change blade size; it's easier to remove the table for this. The Jet fence is also an option on the 16" saw; it's okay for $80, but not the best.

Hope this helps you decide. I understand the new PowerMatic 14" saw is pretty nice too.

[Dominic Greco]

Jim,

I have the Jet 18", if that is any help to you. It is very similar in construction and base features.

I was in the process of saving up for a MM16, but couldn't pass up this deal. I got my Jet 18" Bandsaw when Woodworker's Warehouse was going out of business.

I'm pretty happy with it's performance so far. I can resaw cherry that would have had my old 1 HP 14" Jet bandsaw stalling. I am very happy with the increased table size, as well as the blade guide set up. The height adjustment and blade tension mechanism work very smoothly. The fence is alright, and can be adjusted for blade drift to a moderate degree. I made a taller slip on fence that really works great when re-sawing.

However, I really wish that they had come up with an easier way to adjust the lower guides! You have to tilt the table just to get at them, and it is not an exact science.

Also, the lower wheel cabinet needs a separate dust collection port in the corner to take care of the dust that accumulates there. The 4" dust port on the upper portion of the wheel cabinet, just below the lower guides, doesn't do a good enough job. Since I'm a machine designer by trade, I look at these design flaws with a very critical eye.

But bearing all this in mind, I am really still very happy with the bandsaw. For the money, it was worth it.

BTW, I use an HTC universal base on mine. Even though the BS weighs about 325 lbs, I can move it around with one hand.

[JayStPeter]

Don,

When I got my G0513, I had just gotten back from a WW show where I pawed the Laguna, MM, and Bridgewood saws. I thought my wheels on my saw were downright spindly. But, when compared head-to-head vs. the Jet 16", they were very similar. The bearings and wheels on those high-end saws are no comparison, huge. If the Jet 16" wheels are cast iron, I guess there may be some advantage over the Al wheels. But, they just aren't very beefy. The advantage of cast-iron as I understand it is more rotating mass for less vibration and resistance to slowing down. I can't imagine the Jet wheels offer very much advantage in mass. It has been a year and half, but the biggest difference I remember was that the Jet had a beefier cast-iron trunnion (though I could be confused with the 18"). The steel one on the Grizzly is acceptable though. The paint on the Jet was also significantly better than the Grizzly.

Wilke sells a version of the 17" saw that has some nice beefy looking cast iron wheels. It jumps a little in price to just under $1K. It also has nicer looking bearing guides. (General International also sells this variant for a similar price.) Much like Laguna, actual price on stuff from Wilke depends on which side of the country you live. For me on the east coast, Wilke reasonable, Laguna outrageous.

Jay

[JayStPeter]

Re: Mobile bases on a bandsaw. I agree that the "lever" type bases are a little unsteady with a topheavy bandsaw (although only when up). But, the bases where you lock the wheels (i.e. shopfox, HTC custom) are pretty darn steady. For those of us who don't have the space to fix any tools in place, they work real well. I detect no instability with the shopfox base under my bandsaw.

Be aware that you may have to put a piece of plywood or something in the base before the tool or you may not be able to open the bottom door all the way.

Jay

[Dave Richards]

I also have the Jet 16". I have not found it to be underpowered but that may be due to frame of reference. I've never worked with any of the larger bandsaws. I've done some resawing with it and it is fine. I suppose a 2 or 3 horse machine would be better but I don't have the required number of electrons availble for a bigger one.

All I can say is I'm glad I got this over any of the 14" saws.

[Scott Coffelt]

The Grizzly had a bigger motor, more cut capacity, came with accessories and also I saw that it was made in an ISO9001 factory. I also own both brands and other tools and felt I knew what to expect. Finally, I knew I couldn't afford the Mini-Max (my top choice), saw the Laguna in person and didn't see the value for the extra $$$'s.

The saw arrived in mint condition. Table flat. Basically already assembled. The only adjustment I had to make was one business card to shim the table, very minor in my book.

Mine was $828 delivered, so once you add tax on your purchase of the Jet (unless ordered trough Amazon) your already higher then the Grizzly and it is the same.

I understand the Bridgewood is a nice machine as well, but I am not sure how it compares for the price.

Finally, when you do buy, order some blades from Suffolk. They may still have the 4 for three special going on, check out their web site. Very, very helpful folks on the phone and fast delivery.

[Scott Coffelt]

as a rock, there is no feeling of top heaviness and it moves with ease. I think the saw is a whole 1/2" off the ground, but always on 4 points of contact with the ground.

[Matt Woodworth]

I have a reveiw of it on my web site: http://www.just4fun.org/woodworking/tool_reviews/jet_bandsaw/

[Jim DeLaney]

Well, after reading all the comments and reviews (Thanks everyone!), and going back to the store to look at the saw again, I paid a visit to Laguna.

Larry took me back in the shop and let me play a bit with the LT-16, and also with the MiniMax 16 they had in the shop.

After a bit of 'dealing,' I ended up buying the LT-16, with mobility kit, foot brake, cool block adapter (for use with 1/16" & 1/8" blades) and a 1/8". 1/4", 3/4", & 1" blade for $1600, taxes included.

The Jet at Rockler was $799, plus $89.00 for a mobile base plus about $100 for the fence plus about $80 in tax and a $40 delivery charge - about $1120 total, but without any blades - so it wasn't as far off the price of the Laguna as I'd initially thought.

The Laguna has a much bigger motor, bigger table, and better fence, and just looks and feels like a much better saw. I should have it in the garage/shop by the end of next week. Living within a few miles of Laguna does have its advantages...

[Bruce Page]

Jim, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with your decision. The LT-16 looks like a first-rate machine. I’m envious that you can drive a few miles and “test drive” a machine like that.

I have an email into Erik Delaney of MiniMax asking what the shipping charges would be for a MM16 delivered to Albuquerque. I suspect that they will probably be a show stopper but we’ll see.

Is Erik any relation to you? Maybe we could work a deal… ;) ;)

[Chris Padilla]

Bruce,

Any chance of ANY woodworking shows near you that MiniMax will be at? You tend to score some nicer deals at the show. I got a nice deal on shipping for the nearly 1/2 ton the FS-41 Elite weighs plus some extra goodies thrown in like a mobility kit, and 2 extra sets of Tersa HSS knives. Just a thought....

[Bruce Page]

Bruce,

Any chance of ANY woodworking shows near you that MiniMax will be at? You tend to score some nicer deals at the show. I got a nice deal on shipping for the nearly 1/2 ton the FS-41 Elite weighs plus some extra goodies thrown in like a mobility kit, and 2 extra sets of Tersa HSS knives. Just a thought....
Chris,
There's never been one in Albuquerque that I know of. The nearest are in Denver & Dallas. Too far to drive for a "maybe" deal. :(

[Jim DeLaney]

Jim, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with your decision. The LT-16 looks like a first-rate machine. I’m envious that you can drive a few miles and “test drive” a machine like that.

I have an email into Erik Delaney of MiniMax asking what the shipping charges would be for a MM16 delivered to Albuquerque. I suspect that they will probably be a show stopper but we’ll see.

Is Erik any relation to you? Maybe we could work a deal… ;) ;)

Yeah, going there in person for a 'test drive' is a real advantage. Getting to see the Laguna side-by-side with with the MiniMax was also good. BTW, the two are very comparable. I could have happily gone with either one. I took a couple 3/32" slices off a piece of Alder(?) log on each of them. Both cut very cleanly, with no bogging down. Choosing between them would be a 'no lose,' or more appropriately, a 'win-win' situation, I think.

No relation to Eric. I did meet and talk to him at the January Ontario (Calif.) show, though.

BTW, Laguna has a 36" Oliver bandsaw in their shop that they're in the process of restoring. Talk about "big iron!"

[Hal Flynt]

My son-in-law bought one at the Atlanta WW SHow for $695 instead of the Chinese Delta 14". That was a good choice.

If you compare it to the 18" and what comes standard with the 18" and if you need the goodies that come with the 18" (fence, different guides, larger motor etc. Can't remember all). THe price of the 16" with the goodies purchased second almost equals that of the 18".

[John Shuk]

If you talked to Larry at Laguna he is a FIRST RATE GUY. That is the saw I have. I have gobs of power. Good Luck.
John

[John Miliunas]

Congrats, Jim! I think you'll do OK by that machine. I find myself with a big #$%*-eatin' grin on my face every time I power up my Laguna! :D I was pretty happy with my Jet 14", but the extra power, table size and capacity really do make a difference. I think you're right that any of the major saws you looked at will do an admirable job, but I must admit that the ceramic guide system on the LT saws is great! :cool: