14 vs 17 inch bandsaw? Cast-iron vs aluminum Trunnions?

[Kory Watson]

I'm looking to get my first bandsaw. I haven't had luck in the used market ($900 for a 14 inch low end jet...), so looking at the new market.

Key things I'm looking for:
* Resaw capacity of at least 12''
* Buy once cry once is OK--wife won't let me buy a second one or replace this one anytime soon. Still would prefer to stay in the $1-2k range (preferably the low end)
* 110V is a must, I only have 1 220 outlet and that's for the 8'' jointer
* I have a relatively small garage (20x20) that we park a car in, so small-ish footprint and easily moveable base is a very nice to have

I have a few options I've narrowed it down to:

17''

Grizzly 2HP, 110V / pre-wired 220V (I will need to re-wire to 110V)
Grizzly G0513 - Aluminum Trunnions | $1,250 (super sale at 16% off, most affordable 17'' bandsaw I see on the market)
Grizzly G0513X2 - Cast-Iron Trunnions | $1525 (are cast-iron trunnions worth $300?)
Grizzly G0513X2BF - Foot brake | $1795 (is a foot brake worth $300?)

---

14''
Grizzly G0817 - 2HP, 110V | $1649 (seems expensive compared to the 17'' line, no?)
Rikon 10-326 - 14'', 1.75HP, 110V | $1439 (on sale right now, seems like build quality is better than Grizzly?)
Laguna - I am not considering laguna because none of their saws are on sale right now.
Jet - I'm convinced I would go with the 14'' Rikon over the Jet that's also on sale.

-----

Do any of these options jump out to any of you?
I'm wondering if a 17'' is worth the extra space & price. As well, I'm wondering if the Aluminum Trunnions are *that* much of a dealbreaker. There's a pretty big savings over the cast iron with the sale going on.

Lots to navigate in this space... any help is appreciated. Thanks

[Myk Rian]

Cast iron has less flex. I never had a need for a foot brake.
A 14" will get you to 12" with a 6" spacer block.
If you can go with a 17", go for it. The footprint is not much more than a 14" saw.

[Dwayne Watt]

A foot brake is not 100% necessary, but spool down time can be quite long on a saw with 14" or larger drive wheels. My previous 14" bandsaw with aluminum wheels would spin down rather quick (within a few seconds), but my current saw (13" throat with 14" resaw capacity) has 15" cast iron wheels which spin for a LONG time after power is cut. I would not want such a saw without a brake. It is too easy to forget the blade is still moving long after the off switch has been hit.

[Mel Fulks]

I’m all for safety. I worked in a couple of places where it was a big deal to walk away from a from a band saw without using the brake to
stop it first. At first hearing I thought that was nutty, but It is possible for a band -blade to break while while slowing down , and send some
blade footage flying out. Especially since many don’t bother to lower a too high guard position. Some commercial shops tell new guys they will be fired
at first infraction of safety rules.

[Earl McLain]

As a 14” owner, I’d gravitate towards a 17” given a choice. The Grizzly 513 spec sheet lists the 120v at 20 amps on a suggested 30 amp circuit. The foot brake version shows 240v only. 2 hp is a hefty load at 120v. Might consider ant of the 513’s and just replacing the power cord with longer (if needed to reach), and unplug the jointer to plug in the bandsaw since you won’t use both at same time. I tend to unplug tools at end of session anyway, so that’s normal for me. My single 240v circuit is used by table saw, band saw, RAS, and lathe. Longest cord is about 16’ and only the TS cord crosses the floor when it’s plugged in.
That 2 hp motor at 120v would not only need a bigger breaker, but likely heavier wire from box to receptacle. Staying 240v and 15’ of SJTOW and a plug will be a ton cheaper.
good luck!!

[Mark Gibney]

I just looked on the Seattle craigslist and I see there's a Grizzly 1073 16" band saw for sale that looks in very good condition. It's $900, so not cheap.

There's also a Central Machine (Harbor Freight) 14" for $250, also not as cheap as I'd like to pay for that saw. But it also looks in very nice clean shape, and has a multi-speed pulley setup.

So that's about it! To me that's very low inventory, compared to what I can find on C'list down here in LA and the surrounding counties. Seems odd, metro Seattle has a big population.

I like the Grizzly a lot. It comes with a nice fence and a mobile base. Maybe keep an eye on it and if it's up there for a few weeks offer the seller a price you feel comfortable with. $500 would work for me for that saw.

[Mark Gibney]

I see the Grizzly on C'list has 7 1/2" max resaw height. And you cannot add a riser block so that might be something to consider if you think you'll want to resaw a lot of wider boards.
The 14" Central Machinery is a Delta clone of sorts and you can add a resaw block.

[Greg Parrish]

Since you are only 1.5 hours from Grizzly’s Bellingham, WA location, I’d see if they have a model there and go pick it up. Would save the $239 shipping cost.

[lowell holmes]

I have a 14" jet with a riser block and have no regrets. I would look around for a used machine and save money.

[Jim Becker]

I have a 14" jet with a riser block and have no regrets. I would look around for a used machine and save money.

He already made his purchase...

[Dave Sabo]

He already made his purchase...

Did he.......

It's not clear from the thread that he did, maybe you have some inside info ? Hopefully he drove as fast as he could to get the MM16 he talked/asked about, but I didn't take that post's "found" to mean "purchased".

[andy bessette]

Did he.......

It's not clear from the thread that he did, maybe you have some inside info ? Hopefully he drove as fast as he could to get the MM16 he talked/asked about, but I didn't take that post's "found" to mean "purchased".

Same here. Did he actually buy it? Photos?

[Greg Parrish]

He already made his purchase...

Jim, You might be confusing this thread with my 14” bandsaw thread. LOL. I made a purchase yesterday but don’t think the OP in this thread indicated a purchase yet. But I could be wrong.

[Jim Becker]

Jim, You might be confusing this thread with my 14” bandsaw thread. LOL. I made a purchase yesterday but don’t think the OP in this thread indicated a purchase yet. But I could be wrong.

"D'oh!"....yea, I must have thought I was still in your thread. Apologies, folks. Sheeh...musta been turkey coma or something. Yea, that's the ticket!

[Kory Watson]

Jim, You might be confusing this thread with my 14” bandsaw thread. LOL. I made a purchase yesterday but don’t think the OP in this thread indicated a purchase yet. But I could be wrong.

Unfortunately, the MM16 guy isn't responding. Was holding out in hope for a couple of days, but I guess it probably sold at some point but he didn't take the post down

Speaking of that... I have the opportunity to purchase a new 220V 14BX for $1600 + tax and shipping. Should I jump on that?
I don't even have a 220V outlet yet in the shop but I'll be putting one in soon.