Need Bandsaw Recommendation

[wardprobst]

I have a Delta 14" and I really like it but I bought it because I wanted it. If I were as hot for a Powermatic as you are, I'd buy it 'cause it's what I wanted. Life's to short to go through wishing you'd done this or that and wondering what if? It's only money...
DP

[LarryG]

If I were as hot for a Powermatic as you are, I'd buy it 'cause it's what I wanted. Life's to short to go through wishing you'd done this or that and wondering what if? It's only money...

I second this emotion. I too sensed a fair amount of Powermatic Lust in your OP, and thought about saying more or less what wardprobst did.

The Grizz is $508 delivered. The PM is $800 after rebate. The $292 difference is hardly pocket change, but it could be a small price to pay if it'll get you what you want with no second thoughts, no looking back, no lingering regrets.

Right now I'm lusting after a PM2000 table saw. Probably no way in hades I can justify it but it's what I want, so if there's anyway I can scrape together the money, I'm going to get one. Because it's what I want.

[sacherjj]

If you are considering getting a tool, or any major purchase on Amazon, look at the Amazon Visa from Chase. I use this for all Amazon purchases. You get $25 gift cert for every $833 spent at Amazon. When I was buying a bunch of tools from them, I received over $100 to spend on Amazon. It takes $2500 of non-Amazon purchased for a $25. I pay all my bills through the VISA, which makes $25 gift certs every couple months.

[ragswl4]

I second the posts on getting what you want. If its Powermatic that trips your trigger then spend the extra bucks and don't look back. My father bought all the woodworking tools he ever wanted just before he retired, then Altzheimers and never got to use them. Do it now, you never know what's around the corner.

[Brian G]

Folks -- thanks for all the suggestions! I was amazed to see the number of responses. I have been getting Grizzly catalogs for years, but never bought a major tool -- mostly smaller items. I am glad to hear the favorable reviews! And the thought of finding an older Delta or similar on Craigs List is intriguing...

And now I'm really torn -- I looked last night on Amazon, never really thinking about checking with them for major tools. They are offering free shipping on the Powermatic. This is really making this decision tough!

Thanks again for all the great ideas.

I have the G0555, and I'm quite happy with it.

If you're heart is on the Powermatic, you should take a drive to the Loveland Woodcraft store. There is a sale on now where you get the bandsaw ($899 - $100 mail in rebate), a FREE riser block, and a cool toy truck.

Link to the deal

[drumpriest]

I have the craftsman 22401 and like it a lot. If I were to do it again, I would consider a 16" or 18" saw. I'm doing a lot more resawing than I thought I would, and the extra power of a bigger saw would be good.

Many people here have enjoyed the Griz ultimate, so I'm sure it's a good choice as well. I've used the 14" delta and Jet, and I think my craftsman is a much better value. I havn't played with the powermatic, but I've been impressed in general with their tools.

The craftsman has no riser block option, as it's a euro style saw. It does resaw 8" though, and I've done it, so I can tell you that the saw will perform.

[lrr]

I have the G0555, and I'm quite happy with it.

If you're heart is on the Powermatic, you should take a drive to the Loveland Woodcraft store. There is a sale on now where you get the bandsaw ($899 - $100 mail in rebate), a FREE riser block, and a cool toy truck.

Link to the deal

I actually have visited that store -- pretty near where I work. The only problem is that Woodcraft (and others like Rockler) charge you the freight anyway for in-store items like saws, and then you have to pay tax. Makes Amazon look great for the Powermatic.

With all the Grizzly talk, I am actually thinking about going for one of theirs, and kind of have my eye on the G0457 14" Deluxe, or even one of the 17" models.

Decisions, decisions ...

[NJFrank]

How about this one from grizzly
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0555X

has 1.5 hp motor, cast iron wheels, resaw fence, 688 delivered, upgrade from standard G055

[Bruce Cohen]

Ah,

A chance to gloat (sort of). Just recently got the Rikon 14" deluxe band saw, still fooling around with it, and haven't even gotten around to getting some Timberwolf blades.

From what I've see and the few cuts I've made, I think for once, the reviews were honest. It appears to be an excellent saw.

Now, to finally finish futzing with it and get to do some work. I'll report back with some "real" info shortly, or as soon as it warms up.

Bruce

[LCHIEN]

If we're talking the G0457 then surely you should look at the Rikons (this the 14" deluxe with 13" resaw height and 1.5 HP motor that Bruce C was referring to). About the same price range at $750 (Woodcraft).

http://www.rikontools.com/Products/B.../Bandsaws.html

Or, (now we're talkin') then why don't we jump to this 16" Laguna (sigh) only $1495
(14" starts at $1045):


http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaws.htm
(That Powermatic is fast fading into the rear view mirror - we're talking BANDSAWs, with capital letters, now)

How about Minimax (like this E-16) at $1595 (and this is their bottom of the line unit):

They have a cute little hand bar, hook and wheel that hooks under the right edge of the stand, tilts and then you can tow this thing around like an kids wagon.
http://www.minimax-usa.com/index.php...mart&Itemid=26
Lineup:
http://www.minimax-usa.com/index.php...id=6&Itemid=26

[lrr]

If we're talking the G0457 then surely you should look at the Rikons (this the 14" deluxe with 13" resaw height and 1.5 HP motor that Bruce C was referring to). About the same price range at $750 (Woodcraft).

[ images deleted ...]

http://www.rikontools.com/Products/B.../Bandsaws.html

Or, (now we're talkin') then why don't we jump to this 16" Laguna (sigh) only $1495
(14" starts at $1045):

http://www.lagunatools.com/bandsaws.htm
(That Powermatic is fast fading into the rear view mirror - we're talking BANDSAWs, with capital letters, now)

How about Minimax (like this E-16) at $1595 (and this is their bottom of the line unit):

They have a cute little hand bar, hook and wheel that hooks under the right edge of the stand, tilts and then you can tow this thing around like an kids wagon.
http://www.minimax-usa.com/index.php...mart&Itemid=26
Lineup:
http://www.minimax-usa.com/index.php...id=6&Itemid=26

Ouch, quit, my brain hurts!

I'll have to agree, the Powermatic bandsaw seems to be fading fast from my wish list . LOTS of really good bandsaws to consider.

I guess I'll keep the Powermatc 2000 table saw on the wish list, and look elsewhere for my bandsaw.

[LCHIEN]

Lee, well, once it became apparent that you wanted a really, really nice saw rather than just a very good but practical saw, imaginations can run wild!


Still, for the money, the Rikon appears great - has a huge resaw capcity, lots of power and the Euro-style frame should give it lots of strength and stability for larger blades. Looks nice, too.

I can only try and imagine what you get for twice the money!

It would be worth tracking them down and doing some hands on if you can.

[Bruce Cohen]

Loring had an interesting idea, something that might turn out to be a popular service/benefit to the forum's members.

What we all could do is if one of us has a piece of equipment that one of us is interested in, one of us (within that person's geographical area could invite that member over to "play" with that specific "toy".

Maybe this could be handled as aa new sub-forum just as the classifieds are presented.

I know I would enjoy both showing off my "shop" and the tool someone's interested in, along with meeting fellow (and female) members. Sort of another way to make this great site even more special.

What do you people think.

BTW, I have the 14" delux Rikon but it seems that Lee lives way too far to come for a lunch visit.

Maybe we could turn this into a poll. What do you think, Loring. You're the one who planted the idea into my head. Oh, I agree with you about the Rikon, haven't really started to do any real work, but it seems well worth the money.

Bruce

[Alex Franke]

I have to chime in in favor of Grizzly, too. I've had the G0555 for about 2.5 years now and I absolutely love it. Plenty of power and the features of more expensive saws. When the saw originally arrived, one small part was damaged. I called Grizzly customer service and they replaced the part with without questions or hesitation (it arrived in a couple of days), so two thumbs up for customer service, too.

The only down side was that I had to go pick the saw up at some freight receiving location. They say they would have delivered it to my home, but they also say they won't help you unload it (they bring it to the back of the truck, but that's about it), and I couldn't guarantee I'd have someone there to help me unload it. I expect you'd have the same problem with any large, heavy tool, though.

Don't let that stop you from going Grizzly, though -- I've been very pleased with everything I've ordered from them so far...

By the way, Amazon sells Grizzly tools, too. So, you might be able to get one of those Amazon deals (probably not the free shipping!) to pick up a Grizzly tool.

[LarryG]

they also say they won't help you unload it (they bring it to the back of the truck, but that's about it)

We've talked about this a few times. It is true that the driver doesn't HAVE to do anything to help you unload. I think this is in their union contract. So the vendors always include this disclaimer.

However, in both my experience and that of many others here, the drivers are typically exactly like the rest of us: they just want to get their work day done and get home to Momma and the ball game. I've never, EVER, had a common carrier truck driver refuse to help me get my item off his truck, whether it was mine personally or one of the frequent freight shipments I accepted in a former job.

In fact, when my G0555 was delivered, the driver's attitude as he single-handedly manhandled the box down to the ground was like, "I got this, get outa my way before you hurt yourself."

Nevertheless they CAN refuse to help, hence the warning and the need to be prepared.