Buying a 14 inch Bandsaw

[Joe Von Kaenel]

HELLO,

I am starting to look at lower end bandsaws. I had a question both JET and Grizzly are good tools for a woodworking hobby: Is the JET a better choice because of the 5 year warranty versus Grizzly 1 year. Thanks

Joe

[Matthew Hills]

Which models are you considering? Grizzly has generally gotten good reviews; have heard some people are getting them with the microsoft/ebay cashback deal. The Craftsman 14" is also reasonably well-liked. Saw it advertised for $399 in today's ads.

[Charlie Plesums]

A couple years ago I bought a Jet 14 inch because of it's popularity on the forums. A few weeks later I was going through Missouri and stopped in the Grizzly showroom, and saw the G0555. It was made from the same castings as the Jet, had better dust collection, quick release, better guides, included a fence, etc. etc., and on top of it all, was substantially cheaper, even with shipping costs.

A friend was in my shop a few weeks later and saw the Jet... "Wow, that's my dream bandsaw. If you ever want to sell it, let me know." Make the long story short, he got the Jet for the price of the cheaper Grizzly, and I got the Grizzly. When I bought a 24 inch commercial grade bandsaw, I liked the Grizzly G0555 so much that I kept it for curve work... I now have two bandsaws.

[Eric Larsen]

If resawing on a 14" saw is in your future, get the riser block kit and a few 105" woodslicer blades at the same time as the saw.

I am a G0555x user and I've had very good results -- once I tuned the saw correctly. I can cut 1/4"x8"x6' boards all day long with no problems. Any longer than 6', and I have control problems (my error, not the saw's).

Which ever way you go, you'll probably find the stock fence is not adequate. I built a slip-on 7" high resawing fence out of dead-flat red oak which made all the difference.


HELLO,

I am starting to look at lower end bandsaws. I had a question both JET and Grizzly are good tools for a woodworking hobby: Is the JET a better choice because of the 5 year warranty versus Grizzly 1 year. Thanks

Joe

[Joe Von Kaenel]

Gents,

These are the 2 Bandsaws I'm considering. I recently purchased a JET 16-32 Plus drum sander and am really impressed by the fit, finish and quality of the machine. The JET 5 year versus The GRIZZLY 1 year warranty is one concern of mine. It sounds like the Grizzly is well made based on your replies. Also Grizzly has the extension block kits. I will go with the grizzly Thanks for the help.

JET JWBS-14DXPRO, 14" Deluxe Pro Bandsaw Kit
G0555X 14" Extreme Series Bandsaw

Joe

[Curt Harms]

I realize budget enters into tool decisions especially with the economy less than booming. If you think you might find yourself resawing or cutting turning blanks a basic 14" saw might not be the best for the job. Buying one saw, finding out it doesn't do what you need it to do, selling it at a loss and buying what you should have bought in the first place is not inexpensive. Have you checked out Craigs List if you have one local? Or Ebay using the distance filter? There can be some high quality older (better built) machinery available that you could resell for what you pay for it or more. 14" bandsaws are not exactly scarce, and can be had for $250 or less. I have a Rikon 10-325 and am pleased with it.

HTH

Curt

[Jacob Mac]

Curt has some good suggestions. Here is my two cents. If price is a big consideration, I would suggest trying the classifieds on this forum, checking craigslist and ebay, and looking into using the cashback feature from microsoft going on right now.

That could help you really save some cash. I know I have used both microsoft cashback, craigslist and the classifieds here to help put my shop together. It can save you a lot of money.

[Nancy Laird]

Don't forget about the Steel City 14" --

STEEL CITY™ 14" BAND SAW HAS 2 SPEEDS AND COMES WITH LOADS OF CONVENIENT FEATURES
BALL BEARING GUIDES, BLADE TENSION RELEASE LEVER, MAGNETIC WORK LIGHT AND 4" DUST COLLECTION PORT INCLUDED 14" CAST IRON WHEELS PROVIDE BIG MACHINE PERFORMANCE The STEEL CITY™ 50100 14" Deluxe Band Saw has the features for very convenient operation:

1-1/2HP, 115/230V, 1PH TEFC motor w/mechanical on/off switch - 1,500/3,000 SFPM.
13" blade to frame 6-1/4" under guide (12" with optional riser block).
16" x 16" cast iron table with miter slot tilts 48° right and 10° left.
93-1/2" standard blade length, 1/8" to 3/4" width.
7-1/2" maximum rip right of blade; 11-3/4" left (using optional rip fence).
Comes with mobile base integrated into the stand, wheel brush, wrenches and instructions.
68"H x 38"W x 27"D.
271 lbs. net weight; 291 lbs. shipping weight.
Five year manufacturer's warranty.
Imported.
Currently $769.99 at Woodworker's Supply, but if you are a business, you get a business discount - depending on the type of business you have and what you are buying.


You won't be sorry!!

[Glenn Shotwell]

Since you've not bought yet. Also keep an eye out on CL for a used older American made Delta or Powermatic.

[Ben Martin]

Since you've not bought yet. Also keep an eye out on CL for a used older American made Delta or Powermatic.

This is what I did. I just picked up a early 90s American made Delta off of eBay for $245 ($350-$105 live rebate), it appears to be in good shape. Now I just need to build a mobile base for it and get it in the shop. I would suggest buying used....

[Robby Tacheny]

I just got the GO555x w/ riser block and really like it. Its my first BS, but its setup nicely pretty much out of the box and the fence is VERY nice. Having never used a bandsaw before, I cut 2 straight and even resaws right after setting it up.

I looked hard at the Craftsman, but I couldn't take the fence on it. Also the fence attaches with bolts on the bottom of the table on the craftsman, so you have to do some modifications to add an aftermarket fence.

Hope that was helpful,

Beez

[Cary Falk]

The Grizzly is the best banc for your buck and gets great reviews in the magazines and on a lot of tool forums.

[Wilbur Pan]

Just to echo what Glen and Ben have said, if you're on a budget, going used is the way to go. That's the situation I found myself in when I was starting up my shop about 1-1/2 years ago. This is what I got for $300 on Craigslist.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/341843946_08f69fc49b_o.jpg

[Anthony Whitesell]

I found that the prices are a little misleading because of the included accessories. The Grizzly G0555X and the PM bandsaws have all the bells and whistles, more than the Jet and Delta. So if there is an accessory that the Grizzly has that the Jet does not, then you'll need to add the accessory price to the JET B/S price.

Personally, I reviewed 14" bandsaws for almost a year before purchasing one. I narrowed by selecting to the PM and Grizzly G0555X models until the PM price went up 30% ($850 to $1100). I then started to considering the Rikon 10-345 (14" deluxe). I finally took a huge dive and purchased the Grizzly 17" G0513x2 with the MS cashback of $200 helping to lessen the price. I have used the saw much yet, but the one advantage the G0555X has over the G0513x2 is the storage in the closed stand of the G0555X.

[Jim Ciesla]

I've had the JET 14" with riser block for almost a year and I'm very happy with it. I don't have room for a TS so the BS gets used a lot. I put a KREG fence on it and have made a circle cutting table for it also. Still need a good miter gage though. I've done a lot of re-saws on this JET and have had no problems.

[John Bailey]

I wouldn't consider the Grizzly GO555x a lower end bandsaw. I've never used them, but I have looked at them, and with all the good reviews, I would put at a par with some of the higher end bandsaw of that size. Personally, I would go with an old Delta, the older the better. I had a 1948 and, although it didn't have all the bells and whistles, it would be hard to beat for performance. Although I bet that Walker-Turner of Wilbur's would give it a run for the money.

John

[Pete Kurki]

You may want too look at September 2008 Wood magazine test of eight 14" bandsaws $550 and under. In this test G0555 was declared the test winner and got the "Wood Magazine Top Tool" stamp. G0555 beat several slightly more expensive saws like Jet JWBS-140S, Rikon 10-320, and Shop Fox W1706.

[Brent Ring]

I have a used 1973 Powermatic 141 that I paid about $400 for. I have loved it. The dust collection leaves a little to be desired, but it is nearly all cast iron, and rock solid.

I would highly recommend going used. Actually, I expect that when I am ready to upgrade, I will get my $400 back, easily.

And honestly, I only have 1(maybe 2) complaints. The 6" resaw is too small. and the 1/2 hp motor is a little small - but with a good blade I have not found anything that I cannot cut thru.

I would look used.

[Jeff Mohr]

It seems a lot of you have the Grizzly 14 incher. I'm looking at a Grizzly bandsaw in the 14 inch range as well (maybe 17...we'll see what the wallet has) and was wondering what made you choose the G0555 versus the G0555x (and vice versa) since we seem to have a few people who have one or the other.

[Charlie Plesums]

It seems a lot of you have the Grizzly 14 incher. I'm looking at a Grizzly bandsaw in the 14 inch range as well (maybe 17...we'll see what the wallet has) and was wondering what made you choose the G0555 versus the G0555x (and vice versa) since we seem to have a few people who have one or the other.

When I got my G0555 it was a new model, and there was no G0555x. I don't know anything bad about the other Grizzly bandsaws, but there are some machines that stand out as exceptional - I count the G0555 in that very select small group.

[Eric Larsen]

The resaw fence on the G0555x is significantly better than the G0555. (I realized I've been calling mine the "x" when it was really the non-x.)

You can buy the 6" resaw fence as an upgrade (H7584). Or you can do what I did and fashion a 6" slip-on resawing fence out of flat hardwood.

Either saw basically requires the riser block kit (H3061?).

Basically, for $175 extra for the "X" you get:

1) a better fence

2) a few inches of extra table

3) a work light

4) 1/2 extra hp

5) Some storage space in the closed stand

I didn't see the above as being worth $175. But the stock fence that comes with the G0555 is insufficient for resawing anything wider than 4".

That being said, now that I'm doing a lot of resawing, I think the extra 1/2 horse and the bolt-on fence could be worth $175. But I'm not having any problems with my current set up.



It seems a lot of you have the Grizzly 14 incher. I'm looking at a Grizzly bandsaw in the 14 inch range as well (maybe 17...we'll see what the wallet has) and was wondering what made you choose the G0555 versus the G0555x (and vice versa) since we seem to have a few people who have one or the other.

[Chris Schumann]

You have an idea of what you get for the dollar for every bandsaw out there because of your research. Now just look for deals. They are out there right now, and I expect you'll find more as the economy does its thing.

Put a few saws on your list that will meet your requirements (such as "I can buy a riser block for it") and look for deals. Craigslist is a great source.

For instance, I got a new-in-box Jet 14" open stand for $250 at a school fundraiser (gloat!). There are deals on new, barely used, or really used machines out there, and for some combination of money, effort, dilligence and patience that makes sense for you, your deal is out there.

Got money but not the others? Go buy it now and be done.

Got effort to put in but not the others? Buy a fixer-upper.

I had patience.

[Prashun Patel]

I bought the G0555 and really like it, but my bandsaw work is pretty simple so far. While the 0555X is $200 more, you get a bigger motor, bigger table, and resaw fence. Those three accessories alone are worth it.

That being said, the G0555 is a great buy. I got mine new from Grizzly on Ebay. By using a coupon, I was able save about $40. They have one now for sale. And I think the October ebay coupon is going strong.

haha, just checked. the G0555x is also on sale on ebay now. You'd save $60 with a 10% ebay coupon...

Don't forget to factor in $25 for a new blade, though. The stock one was really bad.

[Marlin Williams]

I thibnk you get the best bag for the buck with the Grizz. I also think the x model is worth the extra $$$ is you plan on resawing as you can upgrade a fence easy but the motor is to costly most of the time to upgrade. So get the extra HP as you can never have enough. :)

[Robby Tacheny]

I went ahead and got the 555x because of the bigger table, motor, and resaw fence. However, seeing how it is a little top heavy, I can't even imagine it without the closed base.

I look at it this way. The 555x is a saw I won't have to upgrade until my skills outgrow the saw, and even then it should still do the job. However I didn't want to have a saw that I outgrew because of lack of power or features. I think the 555x is a good balnce of that.

For another comparison, look at the newest Fine Woodworking Tool Guide. They compare it with a bunch of other models and it performs very well.

-R

[Jeff Mohr]

Thanks for all the comments....I think I may lean to the "x" model.

Gotta check the ole wallet and of course with the wife. ;)

[Eric Larsen]

They'll ask you if you want lift-gate delivery service when you buy the saw. I don't think it's necessary. Two people can easily lift it. (One person and a dolly could take care of unloading, too.) That'll save you $50.

Don't forget to have some woodslicer blades on hand when the saw arrives. The stock blade is suitable only for learning how to fold bandsaw blades.

(Which reminds me, I still have the stock 93" blade that came with the saw. Since I installed the riser block at the time of purchase, it's useless to me. If anyone thinks it's worth $3.50 in postage, PM me.)