Opinions on Bandsaw Deal

[jackellis]

The following ad appeared in our local version of Craigslist:

"This is a Ridged band saw (from the same factory as Delta, Jet, Grizzly and others}. It is made as well as any of the best 14" wheel bandsaws on the market. AND is has the extension block kit installed ($100) so that you can resaw 12" high boards. The motor has been upgraded to a 1 1/2 HP motor from a larger bandaw. It has a quality after market fence that cost me $95. It is on a stand that is solid and is on full castors and has storage under it or take out the shelf and put in the small square Ridged shop vac and have a self contained dust controll system. It has been upgraded to Cool-Blocks blade guides and I have some bearing guides if you want them. Also I have $100 of NEW, unused blades (including a resaw blade)in addition to used blades that are in good condition. I just upgraded to an 18" bandsaw and don't have space to keep this saw. "

It's probably an hour and a half each way to get it and I'll probably have to rent a truck because I can't see this fitting in a Volvo station wagon. However before I get my hopes up I'm wondering whether anyone else thinks this is worth the effort. I could probably order the Grizzly for not a whole lot more after factoring in fuel and the truck, but I'd like to get other opinions.

[Ken Massingale]

How much is he asking, Jack?

[jackellis]

The asking price is $300. Thought that was in the body of the ad but apparently not.

Serves me right for trying to write something before fiishing my coffee.

[LCHIEN]

The asking price is $300. Thought that was in the body of the ad but apparently not.

Serves me right for trying to write something before fiishing my coffee.

sounds pretty good for $300, the Grizz'll set you back at least $500 after shipping and riser block, not to mention the extra blades, plus you get motor upgrade and stuff.

You can probably disassemble and get it in a station wagon (base from top) you 'll have to remove the V-belt and four bolts or so.
But you'll need to get someone to help (seller at his end) and someone at your end. But you'd need someone at your end anyway if you got the griz.
And probably learn something with the seller helping you disassemble it.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Sounds like a great deal. It would be worth noting the brand and speed of the motor. I mean it sounds like this guy does things the right way, but you could get there to find a crap motor or inappropriate speed. Does the old Ridgid motor come along for the ride? Think building drum sander . . . . .

[Ken Massingale]

From the description I'd be on this like stink on a skunks butt!

[jackellis]

Gents: Thanks for all the good advice. My wife and I are driving up tomorrow to fetch the saw.

I have to say my luck with recycled tools, major and minor, has been pretty good so far. Used jointer, used DP, now a used bandsaw. Now I need to start putting all these toys to work.

[messmaker]

Sounds almost too good to be true. I hope it pans out.

[jackellis]

Sounds almost too good to be true. I hope it pans out.

It did! Saw is home, mostly reassembled. I'll turn it on tonight but doing anything substantive will have to wait until I can read up a bit.

Seller passed on some helpful hints and would have kept us there all day talking. His new machine is an 18" inch Jet.

[JR]

Awesome!

If don't have a book on bandsaws, you should get one right now. The two most frequently suggested are by Bird and Dugginske. This is one machine that requires a some fairly intimate knowlede of the innards. Read one of those books and you'll be ready for the nickle test.

JR