Help - bandsaw decission

[LCHIEN]

I have a 12" bandsaw I've had it for a numebr of years.
Its very useful for all kinds of detail cuts and notches and special rips.
I've sort of wished for a 14" with riser but you know, I've never really been challeneged by the size of the bandsaw I have.
It will do 6" resaw, as much as a standard 14" saw, and since
most of the wood I get is 1x6 type or so I can resaw it.
If I ever expected to be the lucky recipient of a stack of 2 x 12 planks, I would have to have a 14" fully risen saw. But I doubt anytime soon I'll be getting that kind of lumber. That said, the $125 Hitachi sounds like a real good deal, it looks to be the equal of my 12" delta which cost me $300 originally. At that price you can afford to try it and see,

[Wood_workur]

I belive the delta riser block will fit the hitachi. The pins are in the right position, and the guide guard is tennoned properly.

[lcm1947]

Just my opinion

First let me say that I would dearly love to have a big bandsaw but considering the type of woodworking I do I just can't justify buying one and it's not due to finances either. I just can't see wasting money on something that I'd rarely use when there are so many other tools or equipment, assessories, etc that I could spend my money on. Now if my woodworking required one then that would be another story but for cabinets and shelves it's not needed. Heck I rarely use my jig saw. I have never not been able to complete a project for lack of a bandsaw. So in my opinion unless you cut curves or do resawing you can get along without one easily. Now if I was going to get one however it would be a Delta 14" at Lowes for $325.00. The Griss is nice but with shipping way more then I could justify.

[LCHIEN]

First let me say that I would dearly love to have a big bandsaw but considering the type of woodworking I do I just can't justify buying one and it's not due to finances either. I just can't see wasting money on something that I'd rarely use when there are so many other tools or equipment, assessories, etc that I could spend my money on. Now if my woodworking required one then that would be another story but for cabinets and shelves it's not needed. Heck I rarely use my jig saw. I have never not been able to complete a project for lack of a bandsaw. So in my opinion unless you cut curves or do resawing you can get along without one easily. Now if I was going to get one however it would be a Delta 14" at Lowes for $325.00. The Griss is nice but with shipping way more then I could justify.

If you were going to "outfit the BS nicely" with fence, quick release tensioer, bearing guides, miter gauge then the delta base price plus those parts would add up to more than the cost of the Grizz G0555 - hence the delta is a stripped down saw and the Grizz is a loaded saw. Not apples and oranges. The popularity of the G0555 is that it is loaded with extras. Their stripped down 14" model is $100 less.

[LarryG]

So in my opinion unless you cut curves or do resawing you can get along without one easily.

It's true that those are the two jobs that a band saw does well that are difficult or impossible to do with any other tool. But as I wrote up the page, viewing a band saw as a curve-cutting and resawing tool is selling it short.

Another extremely important factor for many people is that while most of the cuts a band saw can make can indeed be done with other tools (dovetails, tenons, short rips, crosscuts, notches, many more), the band saw is usually the safest tool for those jobs, and by no small margin. There is zero chance of kickback: the very design of a band saw makes kickback impossible. If I have a cut to make and have the choice between using my band saw, my BT, or my CMS ... I virtually always choose my band saw.

[ErikS]

I just caught the part about doing the addition - in that case if you don't already own them my two "must have" for such a job would be a miter saw & a framing nailer/compressor. Both tools are well suited to the "good enough" work required of construction.

[430752]

+1 on Grizz G055

I second the opinion on the the if you can afford it, get the Girzz G055 "Ultimate Band saw". Its like $425 and the riser kit is just under $60. Throw in a mobile base for another $70 and its $555 plus tax (if you can go to one) or shipping (if you can't). This is a large jump in price over the hitachi/rigid, however.

There's an old adage in tool purchases, where many people don't feel they're rich enough not to to buy the right tool/best tool. That is, if you don't have a lot of money (but enough) it might actually make sense to buy the best since this way you don't have to replace it later. Or Not.

If you don't wanna go that high in $, I'd go for the Hitachi. cheaper and you'll get plenty support around here judging by recent posts.

curt j.

[Tundra_Man]

There is zero chance of kickback: the very design of a band saw makes kickback impossible.

Actually, the design makes kickback highly improbable, but not impossible. I'm one of the rare individuals that have had a kickback on a band saw. To make matters worse, once I recovered from the shock of getting punched in the face with a block of wood and replaced the now destroyed blade, I had it happen again on the same piece. The second time it caught me in the chest, destroyed yet another blade and this time took the lower bearings with it.

I determined I was making a stupid type of cut that I don't want to talk about.

[jobucks]

Hey All,

I wanted to thank everyone for their input and information they've provided me about which bandsaw to purchase. I really appreciate all of you trying to help out a newbie here and a novice woodworker!

First off; I took some of your suggestions, I ordered the bandsaw books by Duginske and Byrd. Should be getting them any day. Also contacted Grizzly and they are sending a catalog. (that could mean trouble, another dream, wish, buy opportunity)

Next, I guess that I should have been more honest. As some have stated, a BS isn't usually a tool necessary for an addition. And I agree. It's just another reason for me to have an excuse for buying a tool that's not already in my shop! I'm not gloating, so please don't think that is what I'm saying; but I already have the tools that some suggested should be considered for carpentry. ie; air compressors, nail guns, sawz-alls, etc. etc. One or so of the comments made really got me to thinking, "there is carpentry and then there is woodworking." Never considered that before. Quite an astute statement!

As far as my original question, what to buy where a BS is concerned, I had these thoughts. Figured it was time to add one after seeing the post on this site about the Hitachi at Lowe's. Went over and looked it over. A thought came to mind, I now use a small 16" variable speed schroll saw for cutting curves, patterns, etc. Trouble is it will only accept a 2" thick stock. Want something thicker and have to use 2X and cut them and then put them together, for thicker bigger pieces. Thought it would be nice and save time being able to cut thicker stock, for whatever. Then when I saw that it would only go up to 5 or 6 inches got wondering about, what if you wanted to resaw something that was 8, 10 or even 12 inches? Maybe never do that, but then if you wanted to, you'd be considering why you didn't invest a little more in the begining and get a bigger unit, just in case? Been there, done that on more then one occassion! LOL!! That is why I posted asking for advice on a BS, not knowing anything about them. Figured and was hoping that some on here could advise as far as their experience has been on just such a situation.

Again, THANK ALL OF YOU, that took the time to give your expertise, advice, suggestions! I really appreciate it! Maybe, as I go along, I will be able to help some of you if you happen to ask about something that I know about. As for right now I'll wait for the books to come in and do some reading before I decide which BS to buy.