Benefits of Multiple Bandsaws

[Uncle Hook]

Does anyone own more than one bandsaw? If so, what do you find the primary benefits to be? Fewer blade changes? How useful is it to have a second saw?

I own a 14" bandsaw and I am am thinking of getting the 10" Craftsman that is now on sale. Then set up the 14" model for resawing and set up the 10" model with a finer blade for more general work. Anyone else doing this?

[SARGE..g-47]

Evening hook..

Yep.. when I up-graded to an 18" BS, I was going to sell my Jet 12". But the more I thought about it the more convinced I was to keep it. Now the 18" does the ripping and re-saw with a dedicated 3/4" Woodslicer from Highland. The Jet sits ready to do the curves, plastic and curves with a 1/4" 6 tpi skip.

Even though the Steel City 18" is quick to change, I can be doing something else altogether. As long as I have the space.. the little fella stays on the time clock. ha.. ha...

Regards...

[BigguyZ]

I've thought that it wouldn't be bad to get a cheap benchtop BS too. I think I would invest in one, or move up to a better model for my large BS, if I had the space. But I don't... Yet.

[BrazosJake]

What everyone else said.

If you have room, a big machine (min 14") for resawing/straightline work, and another with a fine, narrow blade for joinery and curves.

[MikeMcCoy]

Same answer as the others. I kept my 12" Delta when I bought the new Rikon and find myself using the Delta as much as the other. I don't know if I would buy one for the little bit of convenience but it's nice since I already had it.

[BigguyZ]

The only reason I can see to have a 14"+ BS- other than for resawing- is to do very large BS boxes. I haven't done any myself (yet), but they all seem on the small side. I think there's issues with increased blade friction is you try to make a 10" deep box.

And, a 10" benchtop BS would be more than capable of doing curves and the like.

[bthere]

I'm in the ditto crowd. I usually use the 14" for most things that need power or real precision. The smaller saw I usually keep an 1/8" blade on for little stuff.

[bmyers]

Multiple bandsaws? Man you guys are living large... I wish I could..


Bill

[bthere]

It's not so much "living large" as starting small and growing without shedding the old (sort of like my weight). I had the old benchtop bandsaw for a few years and finally got a deal on a 14" Jet. Ever since then, it has been one of my favorite go to tools.