which bandsaw would you keep? Old PM or newer Jet?

[Charlie Hinton]

Do you have pictures of the refurbished saw ?

[lowell holmes]

I have the riser block on my Jet and I would not do without it. The saw is crippled without it.

I like the saw and will not replace it.

[Drew Morton]

I didnt repaint anything but the bottom plinth area due to some rust. I took both machines completely apart and cleaned everything and replaced all bearings. Also replaced the original switches with a magnetic switch. Should last the rest of my lifetime, I suppose.
20180526_165649.jpg

[lowell holmes]

My Jet Bandsaw is white. It is about 15 years old.

[Charlie Hinton]

Those look real nice.
athanks for sharing.

[Rick Potter]

Put me in the 'keepem both' camp.

Of course I have four now, so I am prejudiced.

[lee cox]

What about selling both and buying an 18 inch bandsaw? I had a Rikon 14 and a Rikon 10 bandsaw which I liked. I then sold both and bought a Minmax 18 inch used bandsaw for the same money. I really like the Minmax better than the other 2 Rikon bandsaws plus it takes up less space than having 2 bandsaws. I do change blades more but I have gotten pretty good at it.

[Mike Heidrick]

Both till you get a mm20. Then sell the jet.

[Mike Kees]

I am with Mike,best idea in this thread yet.

[Drew Morton]

Both till you get a mm20. Then sell the jet.

While this is an excellent idea, I don't think that falls within my budget...

So now I am thinking of getting a riser block for the jet and just keeping them both. Bandsaws dont take up a lot of room. Will the Jet with a riser handle a 3/4 inch resaw blade?

[Van Huskey]

While this is an excellent idea, I don't think that falls within my budget...

So now I am thinking of getting a riser block for the jet and just keeping them both. Bandsaws dont take up a lot of room. Will the Jet with a riser handle a 3/4 inch resaw blade?

The Jet or any cast iron clone of the Delta saw is really beyond its capability trying to properly tension a 3/4" blade. The best option for those saws is one of the thin backer spring steel blades with impulse hardened teeth like the Woodslicer from Highland or the Kerfmaster from Spectrum Supply. They both offer 1/2" blade in .022" thickness and Spectrum has a 7/8" .016" version either of which is, IMO, the best option for this type of saw. cast clone saws can do a fine job resawing as long as you have the patience to work within the power of the saw and beam strength of the blade. The blades I mentioned will produce a pretty good finish off the saw as well.

[Drew Morton]

The Jet or any cast iron clone of the Delta saw is really beyond its capability trying to properly tension a 3/4" blade. The best option for those saws is one of the thin backer spring steel blades with impulse hardened teeth like the Woodslicer from Highland or the Kerfmaster from Spectrum Supply. They both offer 1/2" blade in .022" thickness and Spectrum has a 7/8" .016" version either of which is, IMO, the best option for this type of saw. cast clone saws can do a fine job resawing as long as you have the patience to work within the power of the saw and beam strength of the blade. The blades I mentioned will produce a pretty good finish off the saw as well.

Good info, thanks!

[Charlie Hinton]

Two years ago the tires failed on the bandsaw and I had to spend some money on it.
I decided to try to make it be as good as it could be and installed urethane tires, a Kreg fence, and the least expensive roller bearing guides I could find.
I ordered a Woodslicer for it too.
With the saw being refreshed and me being impatient to use it, I bought a 1/2" Timberwolf from the local Woodcraft before the Woodslicer arrived and I was quite impressed with that blade, so much so that when the Woodslicer arrived it was put in the cabinet and has been there until yesterday.
So, yesterday I was cleaning the bandsaw and checking alignments and since I already had the blade off I decided to put the Woodslicer on it.

HOLY GUACAMOLE BATMAN !!!

Color me an instant fanboy of the Woodslicer.
I am serious, this blade resaws so much better than the Timberwolf it's just ridiculous (keep in mind I have been very pleased with the Timberwolf).

Lately there have been a couple of times 6" has not been enough height and I have been kicking around the idea of getting a new bandsaw or adding a riser to the Jet.
The riser kit for $90 is certainly the less costly option but based off the way my saw kinda struggled sometimes when cutting 6" stock I just couldn't convince myself the riser was a good idea.
The Woodslicer blade has changed my mind about that.
My saw is the entry level 14" so it only has 1/2 or maybe 3/4 hp so I don't expect it to ever be able to cut 12" stock, but now I am confident it could resaw 8".
Of course being squeaky cheap I have to get my money's worth out of the Woodslicer before making the jump to the 105" blades.

[Nick Decker]

While I've seen both good and bad reviews of Timberwolf blades, the only beef I've seen about the Woodslicer/Kerfmaster blades is that they don't stay sharp as long.

My own experience with the Kerfmaster has been very good. As for longevity, it depends on what you're cutting. I used my first one for about a year, cutting mostly domestic hardwoods like walnut, oak and maple. Only after resawing some bubinga did it finally give up the ghost and start wandering.

[Charlie Hinton]

I have heard the same thing about the Woodslicer not staying sharp.
If that proves to be the case I don't know where else to turn to for a good blade for the mass market 14" bandsaws.