Ridgid BS1400 or HF 32206 14" Bandsaw?

[dbhost]

On the Grizz, I am mostly worried about getting hit with s&h surprises. I can keep chunking change away for a good bandsaw...

I am not sure I want the 555x, it's nice and all, but seems to be a bit of overkill for what I am doing, want to do, and would ever likely do. Maybe I am wrong though... It's the whole learning thing...

The press for this is because I have a Live Oak tree that HAS to come down because it is too close to my foundation. I want to turn this thing into lumber if possible.

On top of that, I have ready access to a Pecan orchard, and their culls, not to mention oaks of various types end up with their limbs on plenty of curbs in my neighborhood. Usually in the 8-14" diameter class. I would like to reduce this waste...

Is there a way to keep the fallen timber good while I save up my $$ for a good band saw?

The pecan CAN if I have to, end up in my smoker, but I would still rather make what lumber I can, and end up with smaller chunks and unusable cutoffs in the smoker... (although fruit / nut wood does make for some seriously tasty brisket, and burning wood for dinner is FAR better than burning it in a brush pile...)

[poolhound]

On the Grizz, I am mostly worried about getting hit with s&h surprises. I can keep chunking change away for a good bandsaw...

I am not sure I want the 555x, it's nice and all, but seems to be a bit of overkill for what I am doing, want to do, and would ever likely do. Maybe I am wrong though... It's the whole learning thing...

I have only ever ordered small items from Griz but from what I have heard whatever they quote you for shipping is what you pay. As others have mentioned if you go an pick it up at your local dock thats the cheapest way to go.

I wasnt suggesting you need the 555x just that you should try and get what you want rather than getting a lesser tool and regreting it later.

[Knottscott]

Grizzly's s/h has always been what is stated, unless you request the liftgate service, then it's extra but only by the amount specified up front. For this type saw, I don't think I'd go for lift gate, and you might just get one anyway at no charge if that's what the trucking company sends.

Not trying to sway one saw over the other so much as passing along that there have been no surprises with shipping charges or extras. I'd hate for that to be the reason to pass on the saw. Damage is an aspect that can and does happen....has not happened to me, but it does, in which case Griz's CS is typically very good from what I've read. The owner actually frequents some these forums and has handled a few of the issues personally.

[pelligrini]

Well, I can't imagine ever coming across Walnut here in Coastal Texas. Most of the wood I have access to is Red Oak, Live Oak, Pecan, and Mesquite.

My intention is for taking limbs and trunks and trying to turn them into usable lumber, as well as cutting curves in less than 3" thick lumber.

According to this little card I got from a wood flooring company, Mesquite is pretty darn hard in the Janka hardness rating. Over twice as hard as black walnut. Similar hardness chart

[dbhost]

Well, I am now STRONGLY leaning toward that GO555. Which is the saw I wanted in the first place. Okay actually vascillating between the 555, and the 555x. The x might be overkill. But if I can stand to wait a little bit, a little overkill isn't necessarily a bad thing...

LOML is supportive, and would much rather see me buy the right saw the first time, than tinker with 2 or 3 saws before I find one I am happy with...

I unfortunately may have to pass on the Live.com incentives in order to get the saw I really want, but getting the right saw will be well worth it...

Gee thanks Pelligrini, show me...

According to this little card I got from a wood flooring company, Mesquite is pretty darn hard in the Janka hardness rating. Over twice as hard as black walnut. Similar hardness chart

Now I HAVE to get the 555x!

[messmaker]

I started with an old model Jet. It was just OK. I have had the HF model for about 4 years and it has not given me a moments trouble but I find myself wishing for a better set-up frequently. A bandsaw will be used more and more once you have one.I suspect I will end up with a 17" model before it's all over. My message is it's easy to underbuy on a bandsaw.

[dbhost]

Agreed. And everyone here has some very good points...

I am trying to walk a delicate tightrope act here trying to balance the requirements of...

#1. Budget
#2. Performance.
#3. Space Utilization.

I see a lot of folks talking about the HF stuff, but owners of HF power tools don't seem to post reviews where Google can find them... I really want to hear from owners, not just lookers. I don't want to buy a tool that cost twice the price of a comparable tool unless it really is worth it function wise...

[Red88chevy]

DB,

Originally you were talking about a Ridgid BS. I have one and haven't been thrilled with it, others like it fine. I bet if you check around you can find someone not too far from you that has the Ridgid so you can try it out and see if it does what you want. If you were closer, I'ld even sell you mine. I bought it because there wasn't much choice in this area, but plan on replacing it with a Grizzly or Rikon. Like Poolhound said, you ought to get what you want, it really is cheaper that way. Sounds like you have lots of free wood, I'm jealous, but if I lived where you do I'ld visit M&G sawmill sometime. I believe they are in Huntsville.

[dbhost]

Actually, one of my wood sources is a friend's pecan orchard just outside of Huntsville. As far as converting trees to usable lumber goes, I may end up in the long run having M&G do a lot of my sawing. I have gotten some Cedar out of them in the past. Their rough cut stuff is cleaner / more accurate than BORG's so called finished lumber...

I like the Ridgid due to the warranty, but I keep hearing bad things about it. When I can finally find discussions of the HF 32208 4 speed 14" band saw, the owners of that saw love it once it is set up for the most part, a couple of guys have had some blade tensioner problems, but that is the exception rather than the rule...

And I am not saying I am going for the HF either. The Ridgid is off the table for me now that I have been doing as much review reading as I have. Simply put, it is way underpowered. No better in any way except for assembly instructions to the 32206, and in some ways, worse (less power).

My prime candidate at this point is the Grizzly GO555, but I will have to keep chunking change aside to grab that along with some other commitments I have made on tool purchases from other members here...

[dbhost]

Well, for those watching my twistings and turnings on this. I went and did it. It doesn't look like I am going to be able to get over to finalize that BT deal I am trying to swing for a couple more weeks due to some family considerations locally. (In laws taking my time), that HF 15% off any one item coupon, and a price match from a HF catalog without a date (I think they screwed up when they printed it). I had to go with the 32208 (will convert it to link belt ASAP) as the 32206 is not carried locally. So for $271.00 + tax and the extended warranty on the cheap as well... I grabbed my band saw. I need to call HF and see if they still offer the riser block kit as I would rather go with one from HF than the grizzly just to make certain it matches... With the reads I have done on the assembly, as well as seeing how it goes together on the demo model, I am sure I can get this saw together no worries. The folks that have them seem to like them once they are assembled (but HATE putting them together...). I hope I am going to be one of them...