I have been thinking about buying a bandsaw to add to my tool collection
I have narrowed my decision to either: The Jet 16" 'er (JWBS-16) or the Grizzly (G0513) 17" 'er. Both are at the ceiling for my budget.
Got any input?
Thanks
Beyond that, I prefer Jet over Grizz, if only because I can purchase one locally, as opposed to mail order. I like to see (and touch) expensive items before I purchase.
KB
I have the Grizzly G0513. I have been happy with this unit. The Griz has a few more features than the Jet.
After reading about the Rikon 17 or 18inch I have to say I might go with the Rikon if I did not already have the Griz. The Rikon has beefier trunnions and easier alignment of the lower wheel - a nice to have since the unit ought to be aligned when purchased.
I also like the split lower door on the Rikon. My Griz is mounted in a mobile base which now interfers with opening the Griz door. If I really have to open the door beyond a couple of inches I have to unscrew the caster.
Dave Paine.
I have the Jet JWBS-16. Had it now for over a year and I like it fine. The too small trunnions are an concern, but not a practical problem. I've used it to saw 8" and 10" logs for turning as well as for resawing
8" wide 4/4 curly maple. I bought a PS Wood 3/4" blade for resawing. I like the cut, but the speed doesn't amaze me.I've upgraded mine to full roller bearing guides. Hard to say it was worth the price, but nice to have. The optional fence has been really handy as well although the long arms stick back a ways and sort of get in the way when changing blades.
All in all I'm happy with it and won't have a need to look for anything else for a while.
If I could make it better, besides larger trunnions, I would devise a way to get the dust that collects under the table around the lower guides into the dust collector. While not much dust gets past the dust port inside the lower cabinet there is a lot that collects just under the table that needs to be cleaned up regularly. I think I would put a bit stiffer brush inside as well - maybe even one on each side of the blade.
Paul Proffitt
stoutman wrote:
I have the JWBS-18. Basically the same saw as you are interested in only 18". It is the "crown jewel" of my shop. No experience with the Griz, but, as Kyle noted, I was able to check the thing out in person before dropping the cash, and it sold itself. I was interested in getting a band saw that could resaw better than most of the 14 inchers I've used, yet still do more "delicate" work. The saw gets called upon to do all kinds of heavy cutting. If you plan on resawing 10in. oak regularly, it may not be the saw for you as it is a little underpowered when you begin to reach the maximum resaw height with some hardwoods. However, I spent today resawing a bunch of 4x8 redwood beams I salvaged from a remodel and it sliced right through them with ease. Power is quite adequate for 90% of what I do with it, the other 10% can be done, just at a slower pace. The saw cuts very smooth, with little to no blade drift when tuned properly, and runs quiet for a 1 1/2 hp. Blades changes are fairly easy and take less than 10 minutes (get a 5 mm T handle hex wrench, it'll make removing the blade guard easier). I have some smaller blades for cutting tight curves and some bigger that I thought would be better for resawing, but I mainly keep a 1/2" 3 tpi hook blade on the machine. It's kinda "general purpose" as it resaws almost as good as the wider ones and can still cut curves. I'd suggest getting the fence for it. Mine has the factory Jet fence and it works fine. Also, the thing weighs a ton, definitely get a mobile base if it's in your budget. Pay attention to how the casters are oriented on the mobile base, the saw's bottom door may interfere with them. I got a shop fox mobile base and IIRC, I put the front casters on the front of the base and the rear casters are on the side of the base. I've had the saw for 2 years now, and would be hard pressed to find any fault with it. If you can, go somewhere and check one out in person. I don't think you'd be dissappointed at all with the Jet. If you have any specific questions just post them. --dave
"stoutman" wrote in message news:%c_sf.5351$ snipped-for-privacy@tornado.southeast.rr.com...
I got the Jet. See my "mini gloat" thread. I've used it with 3/4" and briefly 1/2" BC Saw blades and other than the problems with them (see BC Saw (blade) experience thread) I like the saw fine.
I've peeled off 8" wide, 1/16" thick (or less) slices of maple and alder with ease. Frankly, my experience so far has made me wonder what all the fuss is about correcting for drift and all the other alleged problems with bandsaws.
I pretty much follow the tips in "Five Tip for Better Bandsawing" FWW #173 as far as tuneup goes. The only dubious one in my experience was in the recommendation of BC Saw for blades.
Heretic that I am, I've split more mesquite firewood logs (beats the hell out of a maul) than fine lumber with it.
The dust collection, as someone else mentioned, is primitive. Pretty much like my Unisaw, a lot of dust never makes it to the vicinity of the suction and then you're trying to suck air out of a sealed compartment. Not very good design.
I'm not overly impressed with the fence, but it's been entirely adequate. Maybe there's a point to a fancier one, but I have yet to discover it, but sawing tenon cheeks leaps to mind.
Someday I'm going to bore another 4" hole in the cabinet at the bottom where all the dust is anyway and try sucking there while leaving the upper port open for makeup air.
All in all, I'm delighted, although I have no experience with your other options so cannot comment of them.
Thanks for all the input!!
I have owned my JWBS-16 for about 2 years now and is one of the top 3 used tools in the shop. I bought the carter guides for it. I did not have a problem with the factory guides; setup was easy and did not have a noticeable problem with blade twist, etc. I decided to upgrade to the carter guides because of my personal preference to have rollers that roll instead of rub against the blade.
First thing to do though is to pull off the factory blade. I bought Timberwolf blades from Suffolk Machinery
For tensioning the blade, I used a sharpie to write on the side of the machine which direction to turn the handwheel to tension and which was detension the blade. As a reminder to tension the blade before using the saw, I pop the upper housing door open when the blade is detensioned. and for those absent minded people like me, when I open the door to my shop, I can look in and see if I detensioned the blade without having to go over to the bandsaw to check.
I have used it to resaw up to 10" thick logs of cedar, pine, oak, walnut, mesquite with no problem. The stuff I tend to resaw tends to be pretty heavy to start with, so I evidently do not have a problem trying to go too fast. My neighbor has helped me from time to time and often remarks how quiet my bandsaw runs. He says that not having enough noise might be hazardous.
Someone earlier mentioned the problem with the dust buildup between the table and the lower housing. I have to agree with them on this. I usually give the bandsaw a good vacuuming after using it, and this is where most of the dust will be. I have a 1200 cfm dust collector attached to my bandsaw, so the inside of the cabinet remains relatively clean. I rarely get any carryover as the blade comes out of the upper cabinet (only with really wet / resinous wood).
The one improvement that I would like to see someone make is one of those detensioner bars like they make for the 14" models. Being able to quickly detension / retension the blade would be wonderful. Adding tension to a 1" blade takes a lot of energy.
I am using one of those mobile bases from Rockler where you cut maple stock to fit. The saw is stable when in use and the casters do not get in the way of opening the doors. I have not noticed any twisting/bowing/splitting of the maple stock after 2 years of use. One word of caution though. I suspect this is a concern with any mobile base... do not get in a hurry moving the bandsaw around the shop because it might tip while moving. The tough part is getting this HEAVY beast into the mobile base. Plan on having help.
hmmmm.... you can use the bandsaw to split wood for firewood?
Tom Andrews
Thanks for the tip.
I've found plenty of hp with the motor running on 120VAC so I haven't put in a 220 drop (yet). I unplug the saw and drape the cord around the tension adjusting wheel to remind myself to retension before sawing.
Could be.
I see talk of the Shop Fox base being used. I bought one of these when Woodcraft had them on sale just on general principles and it's still in the box. But according to my calculations and the quoted dimensions, it's too small. I would seriously worry about tipping. DAMHIKT.
When you've had rotator cuff surgery in the last eight months and swinging an axe holds little appeal and the saw is just sitting there.... Besides, cutting through the occasional wood borer larva in a Mesquite log lubricates the blade almost as good as Pam.
I have a band saw on order myself. I looked at the jet and the Jet has 3 major draw backs as far as I am concerned. Wood magazine did a comparison a couple of issues back and the Jet did not fare so well.
For a lot more saw and comparable price consider the redesigned Rikon 18" er.
On my bandsaw I put a nail through the ON switch to remind myself to tension the blade. I've never found a lock that will fit the place in the switch designed to keep people from turning it on, but a nail works well for me as a reminder -- and prevents me from turning the saw on with the blade untensioned.
You did well Leon, I was in Woodcraft today and ordered a 18" Rikon, the dealer said it took a few dealers threatening to send back their inventory to get them to honor that sale price. Rikon felt they could get the higher price based on the review. $1149 seems to be the new price, but they did give me $115.00 discount for not being an asshole and pre ordering. I like the non asshole discount. I like knowing if I have a problem they will solve it. Bought a Rikon belt disk sander which had one bad part and they just gave me a new part.
Mike M
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