Delta BS150LS 10" Bandsaw

[ssmith1627]

Hey guys, saw a lot of threads regarding this bandsaw but most seemed to be fairly new purchases. Was curious if you owners had a little more experience with this saw now. 1/2 HP doesn't sound all that powerful but it may very well meet my needs if I don't expect to do a lot of resawing.

I hope to pick up a bandsaw in the next month. I had my mind set on this 12" Craftsman -- BAS300:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...seBVCookie=Yes

But I've read a bunch of mixed reviews of it and now I'm waffling all over the place. Wait and see what comes on sale in the next couple weeks ? Harbor Freight bandsaws ? BAS300 ? Or back to the BS150LS ?

Decisions, decisions. Thanks for the feedback.

Steve

[sweensdv]

d. None of the above

Just my opinion, and it's worth what you paid for it, but if it were me I'd start saving up for a real bandsaw. A 14" model would easily do almost any job you could want it to. Those 9", 10" and 12" Bs's are very limited in the jobs they are good at.

You don't have to break the bank to get an acceptable 14" BS either. For under $400 there a several models to choose from.

[ssmith1627]

Thanks Dave. I'm reading through all the various threads on bandsaws as well. Who knew it would take as much to decide on this as it did on my BT3100 ?? haha

I'm looking at the HF 32208 but it only has a 2" dust port.....

The Grizz may very well be the way to go.

Steve

[ssmith1627]

Ok, I ended up with the Delta 14" bandsaw tonight from Lowes. They had one on hand that was missing the v-belt. I made the guy in the tool dept an offer of $300. He countered with $320 and I took it.

I was worried I'd get it home and have other parts missing but that's not the case -- whew. Everything looks fine, just gotta get started with assembly. I think I'll go by Woodcraft and get one of those link belts and use that.

Never having used a bandsaw even once, it's going to be a learning process now. Will have to look at the dust port issue as soon as I get it together and get used to it a bit. I have an HF 2HP DC so this will just be a branch off the duct I ran to the shark guard on my BT.

Thank goodness I have you guys to rely on as well. That's a huge help.

Steve

[SARGE..g-47]

Steve, if you're not familar with BS's. you might want to pick up "The Bandsaw Book" by Lonnie Bird at Woodcraft if they have it. A solid investment at around $20. The BS is the most finicky machine in the shop.

You can have the most expensive and well made BS built.. but if you don't know how to properly align wheels, pulleys, guides, tensioning or choose the wrong blade for your task matched to thickness and wood density.... you might as well have the worst made BS as you are not much better off.

Again.. it's the finicky one.... but once you learn to master it and not it master you.... probably the most versatile machine in the shop!

Good luck...

[ssmith1627]

Thanks Sarge.

I have the thing mostly assembled now. I'll pick up that book and continue reading through everything here and in the mags that I have as well as watching Norm and the other tool shows. There's a lot of info out there for us newbies thankfully !

11 months ago I didn't have a table saw either. I think it was a month before I ever turned the thing on and probably longer than that before I tried the first cut ! haha But again, thanks to you guys here, I was able to pick it up and get the hang of using it. Sounds like the bandsaw will take longer but I'm committed to learning.

Steve

[LCHIEN]

Thanks Sarge.

I have the thing mostly assembled now. I'll pick up that book and continue reading through everything here and in the mags that I have as well as watching Norm and the other tool shows. There's a lot of info out there for us newbies thankfully !

11 months ago I didn't have a table saw either. I think it was a month before I ever turned the thing on and probably longer than that before I tried the first cut ! haha But again, thanks to you guys here, I was able to pick it up and get the hang of using it. Sounds like the bandsaw will take longer but I'm committed to learning.

Steve

The Lonie Bird book is good but also the two bandsaw books by Duginske are good too,