HF 67595 14" bandsaw

[Cochese]

In my continuing three year mission to <del>explore strange new life</del> find a bandsaw (CL is a wasteland of either overpriced or underpriced models), I'm also throwing this into the mix as a store-bought option. The quality, etc doesn't concern me as much as the possibility of not being able to find a riser for it. If I'm going to replace the blade straight away, might as well get the bigger one from the start. The riser isn't available on the website, but I haven't called yet.

This looks like the latest iteration of a line of them, including the model found in DB's review recently replied to.

So far I'm considering the G0555P, Ridgid BS14001 and this one. This is, of course by far the cheapest.

[JR]

The manual for the 67595 shows a parts diagram for the riser block kit, but no part number is specified. You might call HF to see what they say.

Your list of choices is a fairly typical on for hobbyist not made of money (everyone!). I've had fair success with my HF bandsaw, but it hasn't been a bed of roses. The upper support bracke broke and it took weeks/months to get a replacement. No fence is included, nor is one available from HF. Dust collection is marginal.

I'd imagine you'd get better customer service from Grizzly or Ridgid/Home Depot. The manuals for those products are likely to be written in English, as opposed to whatever mine was written in.

So it's a classic case of buying on price, depending on your ingenuity to deal with any problems, vs. buying peace of mind.

JR

[Habe]

That band saw will use the riser kit from grizzly. I have this band saw and that is the riser i used. It's been a couple of years but if I remember corrctly the griz looks similar to the HF. Just call griz and order the kit.

[Cochese]

It's a tough call, I suppose.

Ridgid - $380.54 (with $10 off code) With a Jet riser it's near $500, when and if I want to go that route.

HF - $296.79, assuming my store has it in stock and will take a coupon on it. Add $70 for the riser block. On a budget, $100 is huge.

I really like the Griz G0555P, but shipping kills the deal. Plus, it looks like they just jacked the price up. Really does look identical to the HF aside from the switch location and the dust port.

There is someone locally that might still be selling a 2HP Jet for $400. I'm waiting to see if it gets relisted for about $350, and I might jump on that. There is a Ridgid service center within 5 miles, and the HF is within about the same amount.

[dbhost]

For what it's worth. I love my HF 32208 14" band saw (the previous model), BUT... With the low cost of the Grizzly G0555P, there is no reason to buy the HF... If I had to do it over again, I would jump on the Grizzly... The G0555 was all that was offered when I bought, and it was up there in price to where there was enough of a difference to swing the purchase to HF... Not so much now...

[leehljp]

For what it's worth. I love my HF 32208 14" band saw (the previous model), BUT... With the low cost of the Grizzly G0555P, there is no reason to buy the HF... If I had to do it over again, I would jump on the Grizzly... The G0555 was all that was offered when I bought, and it was up there in price to where there was enough of a difference to swing the purchase to HF... Not so much now...

Glad you posted this. I almost purchased the HF on New Years with a 25% for that day, BUT they were out of stock!

I was very interested in adding roller bearings and quick release which would have taken the price up to the 0555. In addition, the fence and miter gauge does look nicer on the Grizzly. Granted, I could get started quicker on the HF, but in the long run, I would have spent as much on the HF as with the Grizzly.

[Cochese]

For what it's worth. I love my HF 32208 14" band saw (the previous model), BUT... With the low cost of the Grizzly G0555P, there is no reason to buy the HF... If I had to do it over again, I would jump on the Grizzly... The G0555 was all that was offered when I bought, and it was up there in price to where there was enough of a difference to swing the purchase to HF... Not so much now...

Well, the 555P has been increased to within $25 of the standard. With shipping, the 555P is $533 to my door.

The HF isn't quite half price, but it's close.

[toolguy1000]

just do yourself a favor and skip the jet. if it's one of the rectangular column models, the column has a reputation for flexing under tension. and if you need any sort of technical assistance from jet, you're strictly on your own.

the ridgid is the weakest link in ridgid's stationary tool lineup. go to the ridgid forum for a wealth of threads on what's right and wrong (there are a lot of these) with the 14001.

i don't know much about the HF unit, but when i was considering it, the motor configuration didn't appear, based on the pics in the manual, to be conducive to vibration free operation, but it seems to be worth considering.

while i understand budgets and financial responsibilty, i've seldom seen any negative comments about the grizzly units. but have you looked at sears? they offer a professional unit that is remarkably similar to the rikon 10-325, which is a very highly regarded machine. someone on this forum purchased one a few months back and gave it many favorable comments.

[dbhost]

Well, the 555P has been increased to within $25 of the standard. With shipping, the 555P is $533 to my door.

The HF isn't quite half price, but it's close.

At that price, I would get the HF... The 555P was just a shave over $400.00 initially after shipping which made it a tough choice. A few extra bucks and you get a Grizzly.

One advantage I found of the HF, I "upgraded" mine initially to roller guides like the Grizzly, and HATED them. I had tons of tracking problems. I went back to the OEM block holders, and added Cool Blocks. Next to the Timberwolf blades, best thing I ever did for my band saw...

[Cochese]

At that price, I would get the HF... The 555P was just a shave over $400.00 initially after shipping which made it a tough choice. A few extra bucks and you get a Grizzly.

One advantage I found of the HF, I "upgraded" mine initially to roller guides like the Grizzly, and HATED them. I had tons of tracking problems. I went back to the OEM block holders, and added Cool Blocks. Next to the Timberwolf blades, best thing I ever did for my band saw...

I wish I had pulled the trigger when they were doing their first introductory price. I really do like the Griz.

I think I might pull the trigger on the HF one then. I'll take another look at it in the store, and keep an eye on the price. Cool blocks were going to be my first choice, I read your review.

[jeepman71]

I bought the Sears Profesional 14 inch several weeks back and so far have been very happy with it. I might run into a problem with re-saw capacity some day as it is only 8 inches but I think I can live with that possibility. I bought mine for a total price of $482.00. They are built with cast iron wheels, roller bearings and a pretty decent stand. I also looked very hard at the HF and the Rigid and decided that by the time I made them run like the Sears I would probably have near the same cost. Take a personal look at them, I think you might be suprised like I was.

Jim

[dbhost]

I wish I had pulled the trigger when they were doing their first introductory price. I really do like the Griz.

I think I might pull the trigger on the HF one then. I'll take another look at it in the store, and keep an eye on the price. Cool blocks were going to be my first choice, I read your review.

They REALLY helped me out. One wierd thing I do though, is I lube my blade with cooking spray. Maybe not too wierd. I am going with what Suffolk machinery suggested, and it really helps keep the blade cool...

[woodturner]

Are there any woodworking shows coming to your area? The vendors often sell the demo machines at the end of the show for significantly reduced prices. Don't know if Grizzly would be there, but it's an option.

If you want to go that route, the trick is to get there while they are setting up, before the show opens, and make your deal then. If you wait until the show starts, someone is likely to have beat you to it.

[Cochese]

There's one coming up in March. Delta will be there, that's about it.

I'm going to hit up HF on Friday and see when the current sale will end. At that point I'll make my decision.

[dbhost]

Depending on the $$, there is a lot to like on the newer HF 14" saw. Specifically the hinged blade guards over the dual screw versions, and the vastly upgraded tension knob assembly...

Mind you, I modded the snot out of mine, but I got it cheap too. Then again, the bulk of the mod $$ went in to things I would do to a G0555P as well. Riser block and Timberwolf blades...