Opinions on CL listed Jet 14" Bandsaw

[gad5264]

Thoughts and opinions. On CL for $400.00 I am supposed to go look at it tomorrow afternoon.

Model JWBS-14CS

[mpauly]

I really don't know much about that saw, but considering you can get it for around $500 new without even trying to look for a deal, I'd suggest bargaining on that asking price. Unless it includes lots of extras, but from the pics it looks pretty stock.

[Hoover]

Based on one photo, it looks like new. Yes you can buy one new for $500.00, but if it hasn't been misused, $400.00 is an ok price. Try $375.00 on him for size, carry cash with you, it might be the charm.

[jwaterdawg]

Also, wear a low-cut blouse. You never know what might work for you.

[LCHIEN]

looks pretty clean but there's quite a pile of dust around the base and dust port so it has been used a bit.
No "enhancements", looks like a fence is not included.
What's that thing on the lower front door, looks like a air nozzle?
Since the unit is like around $500 (better check) new, $400 is not a real great deal unless you can bargain some more.

[birdman]

Grant, I have this same unit and it works very well for the price. Though I also changed the guides out replacing them with a Carter Guide Kit. The Carter Guide Kit uses sealed bearing, both top & bottom, instead of the factory slide blocks. Here is a picture of the Carter Guide Assembly, . These do take a bit of time to adjust, but once you get them set they are good for a long time.

The thing I don't like about this band saw is that the dust port is only about 1-1/2" where you attach your hose and narrows down to a very small port by the blade. Someday I plan to cut a 6" hole in the bottom of the cover/door so I can hook it into my Cyclone Dust Collector.

[drumpriest]

I bought my craftsman 14" new for less than 400$. So I'd say look around some more, though if it's almost new, it might not be a bad deal.

[bthere]

I have that same model that I got closer to $350 a while back. My saw had Carter roller bearings, a fence, the cheapie miter gauge, a Carter narrow blade guide, and a few decent blades (Timberwolf). I think you could bargain that price down.

That said, the bandsaw is one of my favorite machines. It is so much better than the Craftsman 12" in every way. Tuned up and with good blades, it resaws, scrolls, rips, and anything else I throw at it smoothly and accurately.

[SARGE..g-47]

Morning gad...

Not a bad deal if all is well with the machine.. but I will add to what the guys have already said that by no means a candidate for "bargain of the year" honors. If it had a riser block already attached and the Carter bearing the $400 in that condition it would look really good at that price.

But.. needing to make those additions will cost you another $250 or more and IMO, I would save a few more dollars and have a look at the Rikon 14" deluxe or one of the 16" versions. And before I just went out and purchased the Rikon 14" deluxe, I would be patient as Steel City is coming out with a 14" very soon and from the innovations they put on their 16"-18"-20", might be worth the wait to see what kind of goodies they have to offer on the 14"!

Regards...

Sarge.. john t

[LarryG]

Not 100% sure but I think $500 for a new one might be a little low ... the current amazon.com price is $550 for this closed-base model, AND there's a $150 freight charge on top of that. With it getting increasingly harder to find free shipping on large, heavy machinery, $400 for a tool in good condition, with no shipping or sales tax, might not be all that bad.

Also, since Carter bearing guides have been mentioned a couple of times, don't assume that this is a must-have mod. My Grizzly G0555 came standard with Carter-style guides, and while they work well enough I consider them a mostly lateral move from ordinary block guides. They have some advantages, but they also have some drawbacks. That makes them a different system, not necessarily a superior system.

[jseklund]

I forget my exact model, but I got the one right above the 14CS for Christmas. It's pretty much the same thing, and I am extremely happy with it. Quiet, smooth, and all that good stuff. If you pick it up, keep in mind that it weighs somewhere around 150-200 pounds if memory serves.

Right before christmas, the CS was on sale at Amazon for around $450 I think- after a $50 rebate. It didn't last long at that price- you know how they drop and raise prices- but it did come down pretty low.

So if you're asking about the saw- It's great quality and I am another happy user (again, one step up- but I think that's just a more powerful motor and the rest is pretty much the same). If you're asking about the deal- it's not extraordinary, but may be worth it if $50-150 is more important than brand new to you.

[mpauly]

Not 100% sure but I think $500 for a new one might be a little low ... the current amazon.com price is $550 for this closed-base model, AND there's a $150 freight charge on top of that. With it getting increasingly harder to find free shipping on large, heavy machinery, $400 for a tool in good condition, with no shipping or sales tax, might not be all that bad.

Also, since Carter bearing guides have been mentioned a couple of times, don't assume that this is a must-have mod. My Grizzly G0555 came standard with Carter-style guides, and while they work well enough I consider them a mostly lateral move from ordinary block guides. They have some advantages, but they also have some drawbacks. That makes them a different system, not necessarily a superior system.

I didn't look hard at all and went to the first google link which happened to be woodcraft, they had it for $499 with $70 shipping.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=2049

I'd say if you can get it for $350, seems like a deal.

[LCHIEN]

http://www.toolzone.com/acatalog/12_..._Bandsaws.html

regarding price -
it's $550 at amazon affiliates but $499 at the above Toolzone.

Also $499 at Woodcraft:
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=2049

As Larry points out, shipping can easily add $150 to the price, depending upon where you're at and whether you want it delivered to your house or to a local freight depot for pickup.

So whether $400 is a good price depends on your shipping costs vs. pcikup at this guys place and other factors.

Also if this is the exact model you want (the open stand model from Jet is as low as $369).

I generally start my mental pricing for used goods at around 66% to 80% of what I can usually buy it for at normal street prices if its clean, well taken care of and no effort to get. Something well used but still in good condition I'm thinking around 50% and something that needs parts, repair or service goes down fast to around 25-33%. Again, if your normal purchase of this item would cost shipping then you have to add that the the comparison price. Then you have to factor in
your willingness to accept this if its not your dream unit, or mabe pay more if it is your dream unit, e.g. how well does it fit your wants. local demand? Rarity or scarceity of the item in question on the used market would also factor in. Age, availability of used parts and potential resale value (name brands usually higher) factor in. weird modifications reduce value, useful mods or accessories add value. Unwanted accessories are neutral unless you can sell them easily.

Given all that $400 is a pretty good price if you want a name brand preferably Jet and can pick it up with no problem and would have to pay hefty shipping for a new unit.

[LarryG]

Okay, I stand corrected ... it is available for less, and with cheaper shipping. I just hit my usual amazon.com bookmark and ASSuMEd the price they showed was representative of the current market.

That said, I agree with Loring's excellent analysis; and there's one other thing, too: a local-sale buyer of a piece of used equipment has the advantage of being able to visually inspect the machine and make sure it's all there, and in (one hopes) undamaged condition. One doesn't have to dig too deeply on Teh Intarwebs to find LOTS of horror stories about shipping damage and/or missing pieces on heavy woodworking machinery. Usually the vendor and/or manufacturer will make it right, but at best it's an annoyance and at worst it's a time-consuming nightmare. Sometimes, an extra fifty bucks or so for a little peace of mind is money well spent.