Future bandsaw....

[chopnhack]

So musing over a bandsaw... doing a little research.... put in my x-mas request with SWMBO, figure what the hey, let her get the word out to family and go combined gift. Why get a sweater and some shirts when cash towards a bandsaw is way cooler! Looked at the grizzly 14" online and figured the model that had enough power to resaw with riser would be about $950+ why not go with the 17" and have it for life... Especially if I get enough loot together from family, I wouldn't mind getting a 17" for 1/2 price

I haven't looked at any other manufacturers, just musing Any input is welcome.

[atgcpaul]

I have the Grizzly 5013. I had grand ideas of cutting all my own veneers and bookmatching the bejeezes out of everything. Alas, I've only done a few resaws on it, but I'm glad to know that if I need to, it's there. I've had the saw for 6 years and I'm still happy with it. I feel confident in saying that this will be the last bandsaw I will ever buy.

Paul

[chopnhack]

Thanks Paul, good stuff. What do you think after 6 years? Is that model worth the money? Did yours come with the cast iron trunnions and wheels or the aluminum wheels and stamped trunnions?

[atgcpaul]

I don't remember about the trunnions but mine has the aluminum wheels. I don't think the X2 model was available at the time. I would have gone for that one. But still, plenty of juice in my saw and I'm still happy with it.

[cabinetman]

I haven't looked at any other manufacturers, just musing Any input is welcome.

I'd hate to recommend one, and then you might wind up hating it if you bought it.

.

[toolguy1000]

grizzly and rikon for popular priced saws. jet and powermatic if you want to overpay and waste money for brand names that once meant something. if you get cash and have patience, CL can provide values. if used, much older powermatics get good comments all around, but those units predate the curent gold/mustard color schemes.

i sold an 18" jet BS that i got off CL for $40 (no typo) for $750 a few months back and replaced it with a pre owned rikon 10-340 (also 18") for $700. the rikon stands head and shoulders above the jet.

IMHO, i'd try to avoid a riser kit. some work quite well, but when they don't work well, they can be, from what i've read, a real PITA to set up correctly. why buy a potential problem if you can afford to avoid it.

if you can find one, the craftsman 22401, which is/was being clearanced, is an upgraded version of the rikon 10-320. i purchased and sold 2 of them, and one was a floor model so i got to see and run it. that is a sweet little saw, plenty of power, CI wheels and table, 2 speeds and several other upgrades vs. the 10-320.

summing up, i'd look at grizzly and rikon. their products are well received, you don't often see them on CL (probably owing to their owners liking them) and both companies enjoy good reputations for customer/technical support.

[pelligrini]

I've been seriously looking at them too. I'd really like a 17" as well, but I have some height and space issues in my shop. +1 on a Rikon or Grizzly for the best values.

The new G5055LX looks like a decent value for a 14". It's on sale now for $445. I'm really considering it, a riser block, and few really good blades. The only thing I see as a drawback is the 1HP motor. Going to the G5055X with the 1.5HP puts me on the same thought path as 'why not just get a 17" then'