What do you all think of the 16" jet bandsaw?

[drumpriest]

After looking at this a bit, I agree with you guys, should go to an 18" to be a significant upgrade. I did slice some veneer this evening with my current 14", you can check it out here....

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...067#post305067

[SARGE..g-47]

After looking at this a bit, I agree with you guys, should go to an 18" to be a significant upgrade. I did slice some veneer this evening with my current 14", you can check it out here....

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...067#post305067

Good morning Keith..

I think you made the correct decision on passing for the moment and waiting for a larger BS in the future. The Jet 16" doesn't really have the springs that can tension 3/4"-1" blades properly. And 16" wheels are not ideal for that width blade from the git-go. I did quite a bit of physical comparisons on each of the current manufacturers offerings before settling on a Steel City 18".

BTW even if the Jet 16" saw could handle the larger blade, I would be skeptical that you will get much better cuts on a 3/4" Wood-slicer than you would get on a 1/2". I run a 3/4" Wood-slicer on my SC 18" and I cannot see any significance in re-saw as both get the job done admirably. I used a 1/2" WS on a smaller saw for years.

When the WS (or Blade-runner if you chose as Jesse's blades are stated to be the same) starts to dull, adjust your tension up a bit and see if that helps. And.... slow down the feed rate a tad also as I have found both these to lessen the effects of a blade beginning to dull. But... dull is dull and no magic trick in the world will overcome that. At a certain point... a change is needed!

Regards

[Jeffrey Schronce]

After looking at this a bit, I agree with you guys, should go to an 18" to be a significant upgrade. I did slice some veneer this evening with my current 14", you can check it out here....

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...067#post305067

I did a lot of research when I bought my BS. I kept coming back to the 19" Grizzly. AWESOME fence, huge table, 3hp. The only thing that I do not like about it, and this is purely mental, is the steel trunnions versus cast iron trunnions. I have had zero problem with deflection however given the strudy build of the entire unit I was suprised by the steel trunnions.

I have this . . . . http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0514X

For $150 more you get cast iron trunnions and foot brake.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0514X2

I checked out the 0514X and 0514X2 side by side today at Grizzly. The only difference I saw was the trunnions, plus a little different table tilt system on the left side of the table. You could investigate this by looking at the manuals. The foot break is of no value to me, but the wheels do turn for a solid 30 seconds after power off on the 0514X. COuple odd things : Downgraded switch on G0514X2 as 0514X has lock out switch with key, has easier emergency shut off capacity due to stop and start switch differences. Last the 0514X weighs a few pounds MORE than the X2, which I can't figure out with the X2 having cast iron trunnion and foot break. Seems like it would weigh more . . .