Help - bandsaw decission

**ErikS** · 02-23-2006, 11:10 AM

Tough question - start with what are your anticipated needs?

FWIW - I believe the Rigid kit runs around $60 at the BORG now, not $100.

The HF saw seems to have more versatility....but $125 is tough to pass up. $180 with a riser kit? That's a lot of saw for the $$$.

But it all really depends on what you want to do (or anticipate).

**Workman** · 02-23-2006, 11:43 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with what Erik has said. I acquired a lot of hardwood (oak, walnut, and cherry) rough sawn into 2" by up to 12" boards. Forget about planing this stock down to usable sizes. The answer - resaw! I went with the Grizzly 555 14" because of the increased horsepower (1 instead of 3/4) and Timberwolf blades. I also constructed a resaw fence (Grizzly now sells one). Mine has a self-lubricating plastic nose (I forget what they really call this stuff) and stands about 8" high. It's pointed or rounded and located (clamped) so that it stands right beside the blade, adjusted the width of the resaw away. On the other side I have a different type resaw finger board that is a 1/8 piece of hardboard sitting in a saw kerf and another at its bottom (two pieces together in an L shape with the hardboard in the kerfs). This is about 6" high. I have now resawn many, many linear feet of some very hard hardwood. The only thing I would change is more horsepower! My advise, FWIW, buy the biggest you can afford and take the time to get, or buy, the necessary jigs.

**DonHo** · 02-23-2006, 12:06 PM

I think both the 12" Hitachi and the 14" HF both will have the same resaw limits both with and without the riser block. The only difference would be the HF would be 2" wider (blade to frame) and there might be a difference in HP of the two saws. Just being able to use the riser block to get 12" capacity for resaw doesn't mean the saw would have the hp to make the cut well. I'm not sure of the hp of the two units and I believe it's well known that some companies inflate the hp claims for their motors. I'd first decide if I needed the extra 2" blade to frame capacity and make sure that which ever saw I chose would have the power to resaw 12" if you need that.
DonHo

**LarryG** · 02-23-2006, 12:20 PM

As always, it depends on your needs.

Originally posted by jobucks

Don't want to buy a 12" only to discover later that it would have been wiser to invest more dollars and go with a 14" in the begining.

As the others have said, you need to consider your individual needs.

If you're going to be resawing thick boards (or perhaps small logs) into thinner boards, then resaw, or vertical, capacity is probably going to be more important than the throat depth. OTOH, resawing is what typically needs the most horsepower.

If you're going to be cutting curves and making dovetails, then throat depth becomes more important. The difference between a 12" saw and a 14" saw is really not 2", but rather 4" -- a 12" will cut to the center of a 24" panel, a 14" to the center of a 28" panel.

**jobucks** · 02-23-2006, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by ErikS

Tough question - start with what are your anticipated needs?

FWIW - I believe the Rigid kit runs around $60 at the BORG now, not $100.

The HF saw seems to have more versatility....but $125 is tough to pass up. $180 with a riser kit? That's a lot of saw for the $$$.

But it all really depends on what you want to do (or anticipate).

Thanks Erik,

That's the problem I guess! Don't know what my anticipated needs will be. Like I said, never owned, or played with a BS, don't know what all they can be used for. Getting ready to put 1100 sq. ft. addition to house, so figured a BS would be something that needs added to shop. What's one of the other people's saying on this site? Something like, "buy the tool, you will always find a use for it later."

My local BORG is the one that told me that "they thought" the Rigid Riser Kit was around $100.00 +. They are checking for me to see what the newest price is.

No, the HF is $207.00 (with the current 20% off coupon) and then $49.99 for their Riser Kit. They also have a fence for $29.99. (You can also save a little off the kit and fence with current coupons.) The Riser Kit gets the height up to 12 inches. The BS has a 4 speed, 1 HP, 9 AMP motor. It will also accept 1/8" to 3/4" blades.

**LarryG** · 02-23-2006, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by jobucks

Like I said, never owned, or played with a BS, don't know what all they can be used for.

We routinely hear, "Make your first stationary tool purchase a good table saw, because the table saw is the centerpiece of the shop." And if you're building mostly cabinets, that's true.

But there are many experienced woodworkers who argue -- correctly -- that if you're building fine furniture like reproduction Chippendales, a bandsaw should be the first major tool you buy. A bandsaw's supposed forte is cutting curves and/or resawing, but it can do a whole lot more. Like a drill press, after you get one you'll constantly be finding new uses for it and will wonder how you ever got along without one. It's probably the second-most versatile tool in the shop, behind the router.

That said, a bandsaw is hardly the first tool that leaps to mind as a must-have tool for a house addition. It can have its uses for that, but it's really more of a woodworking tool than a carpentry tool.

You might want to invest in a copy of Mark Duginske's "The Band Saw Handbook" before you buy. Alternatively, have a look at Lonnie Bird's "The Bandsaw Book." The Duginske is a much better title overall than the Bird, but the Bird's first two or three chapters are particularly useful to someone who is shopping and unsure of what he needs.

One last point: the mfrs of many 12" and 14" saws claim you can fit a 3/4" blade, and they will physically fit, but saws in this size range are not capable of properly tensioning a blade wider than 1/2". If you must have a 3/4" blade, you're looking at an 18" or larger saw ... and a lot more money.

**ErikS** · 02-23-2006, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by jobucks

That's the problem I guess! Don't know what my anticipated needs will be. Like I said, never owned, or played with a BS, don't know what all they can be used for.

I guess that was my problem - lol - they can cut darn near anything (I didn't realize how versitile they were)....heck buy a side of beef & you can slice it up on a BS.

Over @ Stan's Hitachi I see that saw listed as max 1hp but without knowing the AMPs it's hard to tell. I can't find it but there was a post somewhere, either @ Rigid or Stan's site detailing the cost of the Rigid riser....under $60. Also, if the rigid riser fits then the Grizzly riser will - Rigid users do this & that one is $57.

Tough call, just the type of decision I agonize over - lol.

Moi? I've run into lack of throat space more times than lack of cutting height.....but factor in I have a baby BS. I'd probably get the HF if money wasn't tight, just seems more versitile (speeds for materials & the extra size).

**Napoleon** · 02-23-2006, 01:35 PM

I have the HF with the riser block. I wanted to replace the stock blade with a timberwolf, and thought that eventually I'd do some resawing, so I got the riser block right away, and then ordered the blades. Seems to work very well, limited only by the skill (or lack thereof) of the operator.
Mark

**Tundra_Man** · 02-23-2006, 01:48 PM

Do a search for "G0555". The posts should speak for themselves. I haven't heard a single bad thing said about this Grizzly saw. I love mine to death.

+1 on Duginske's book. Great information. Should be required reading for anyone who purchases a band saw.

**jwaterdawg** · 02-23-2006, 01:48 PM

FYI, unless things have recently (like in the last couple of months) changed it is very, very, very difficult to get the Ridgid riser kit.

However, the Grizzly riser kit is a perfect match (other than the color). The block, guard, and guide arm are all a perfect fit for the Ridgid 14"BS. I am very happy with mine.

If memory serves the Grizzly riser kit is about $60.

**sacherjj** · 02-23-2006, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by LarryG

One last point: the mfrs of many 12" and 14" saws claim you can fit a 3/4" blade, and they will physically fit, but saws in this size range are not capable of properly tensioning a blade wider than 1/2". If you must have a 3/4" blade, you're looking at an 18" or larger saw ... and a lot more money.

That is a very good point. The 10" Craftsman states that it will handle a 1/2" blade, but it can't realistically tension anything over a 3/8" for resawing. Almost all specs are "optimistic".

**greencat** · 02-23-2006, 02:38 PM

I know this does not help but you probably don't need a bandsaw to do your addition unless we are talking about a log home.

Now I say this and I use any excuse to buy new tools. If you don't have air nailers yet then I would get them first.

**Shipwreck** · 02-23-2006, 04:13 PM

G0555

Originally posted by Tundra_Man

Do a search for "G0555". The posts should speak for themselves. I haven't heard a single bad thing said about this Grizzly saw. I love mine to death.

+1 on Duginske's book. Great information. Should be required reading for anyone who purchases a band saw.

The G0555 is a very sweet bandsaw for the money. I have had mine for a year, and have had zero problems. The G0555 comes with a decent rip fence and bearing guides. It was highly regarded in alot of reviews. I do not know what your spending limit is, but if you can afford it, the G0555 is a good bet.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0555

**Jeffrey Schronce** · 02-23-2006, 05:41 PM

I have the Hitachi and it's an ok saw. I haven't done a lot of resaw or even detail work, so I can't comment a lot on it. I guess it is the fact that I do so many cabinets and most of my furniture is mission/shaker styles but I don't use it a heck of a lot. I am going to bang out some complex rocking horses this weekend so I will have more to say next week. Toss the blade that comes with whatever you get. The Hitachi blade was so bad I was questioning the purchase of the saw for $112.50! New blade made all the difference.

If you are doing an addition to your home I would suggest a lot of other tools first. Do you have a jig saw? I find that when I do need to do detail work I end up using my Bosch jig saw rather than the BS. Plus you can use various blades in the jig saw to cut a wide variety of material. You can even use it as a mini receip saw. Framing nailer and compressor is a must. Driving nails with a hammer is so cliche ! LOL!

Help - bandsaw decission

Help - bandsaw decission

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