Time for a new bandsaw ... ?

[Tim Schubach]

I've had a 14" Delta Bandsaw, model 28-245, 1/2hp motor, open stand, for about 10 years or so, and it's been a very good tool. Unfortunately, I've been asking it to do more and more, and I think I'm well past the point for which the tool was made. I'm a turner, and I added a riser block so that I could round off logs before I put them on the lathe. I also do a lot of laminated and segmented turning, so I do a lot of resawing.

Well, tonight I was trying to slab a few small Maple logs, about 18" long, and no more than 8-9" tall. I was about half way through when the motor on the saw just quit. When I felt the motor, it was pretty hot, and my first thought was that I just burned it up. I thought I had been going slow enough so as not to put too much strain on the motor - obviously I was wrong there.

After about 45 minutes, I went back to the shop, and the saw started again. This time I made a concerted effort to go much slower, but even when I turned the log so that it was about 4" tall, after each pass the motor was noticeably warmer. So I quit before the saw did again.

I ask a lot out of my bandsaw, and it's right up there among the most used tools in the shop. I'm asking myself now if I should try to find a larger motor for the saw that I have, since there is nothing wrong with the saw other than a motor that can't do everything I want it to, or if it's time to say good bye, and go with one of the newer saws with a full 1 hp motor ( and a 4" dust port in a location where it actually does some good! ). I prefer Delta over Jet, but I've also given Grizzly a side glance. The new 0555 got great reviews, but it's only a 3/4hp motor, and I haven't seen anything about the bigger 15" machine. The new 2 speed Delta looks pretty slick, but then I saw the X5. Aside from a longer warranty and 1.5hp motor, what's the real difference? And will the riser block I have for my current say fit the either of the new ones?

I'm hoping someone out there has been in the same situation I'm in, and has some words of wisdom. If I do go with a new saw, I'll have an older one for sale at a pretty good price ...

TIA, Tim

[Phil Lackey]

[Leif Thorvaldson]

First check to see if your current BS has a jack pulley. If so, remove it and try your saw again. Failing joy in this endeavor, buy a larger 1hp or better motor! On my Reliant, all I had to do was remove the jack pulley and replace the motor pulley to get the right feet per minute. HTH,

[Lyn J. Mangiameli]

I concur with the others that you will do best to put your money into upgrading your present saw. The castings, wheels, trunions and table are basically the same as all the new Delta 14 saws (the X5 now has a slightly larger table), and in general better than the clones.

Do get a bigger motor, and do obtain the Iturra Design bandsaw catalog. Iturra design is like a hot rod speed shop for bandsaws and offer a wide variety of ways to make significant improvements in the Delta 14 style saws. Alas, they don't have a website but you can obtain a catalog by calling them toll free at 888/722-7078. They usually have an add in Fine Woodworking as well. Excellent folks with excellent products.

Lyn

Tim Schubach wrote:

[SwampBug]

The G0555 Grizzly has a 1hp motor, not 3/4

-- SwampBug

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[TeamCasa]

Tim, I recently picked up the new 16" Jet. I read you prefer Delta of the Jet, and in any cases, so do I. However, this BS is a real machine. 1 1/2 HP and a real 4" dust port. I put on a 1" 3TPI blade and have not looked back. I sliced up some 10/4 x 9" Purpleheart into many 1/8" veneers. The motor never even whimpered.

Dave

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[Maxprop]

The G0555 14" saw has a 1hp motor, not 3/4hp.

I have the G1148 15" saw, and have no complaints. I tend to abuse it with re-sawing tasks, but it hasn't complained yet. The motor seems up to the task. It's been a good saw, especially for the money.

Max

[Ken Moon]

Tim, Have you tried a new blade yet? Could be you hit something in a previous cut that dulled the current blade and it's not cutting and the blade is dragging. I'd go with a new blade before I jumped for a new motor. I know it's easy to blame a low power motor when you want a new bigger one, but I've seen new blades make my 14" feel like I had a lot more power.

[George]

We got a Grizz at school as a bean in grant, and it used to sit idle while the kids waited for the 40 year old Delta. Got a second Delta a couple of years ago - Grizz never would cut the same way twice, even after we got a replacement for a cracked casting.

Put a 1HP Baldor on my Delta - $169 I think. 1725, NEMA 56 and all that, but you have to take the armature out and swap ends if you have the open stand, because the switch box is in the way of the bottom door. That, a good Suffolk blade and, most important, a non-tippy surface to help keep the blade from binding, seem to be all I need.

For that flat reference surface, a LN scrub is great!

As to dust collection, a port just below the insert is the way to go, but magnetic mount or you'll lose the tilt. DON'T use a "zero clearance" insert and expect dust to go anywhere but back in your face!

[Sweet Sawdust]

[Larry]

Lyn,

The number you gave (888/722-7078) doesn't seem to work. I keep getting "Your call cannot be completed as dialed"??????????

Larry

[Lyn J. Mangiameli]

H'mmm that interesting. That is the number that is also shown in a very recent issue of Woodwork magazine. You might want to also try the email address I have for them, [e-mail]

There none tool free number is 1/904/642-2802

Lyn

Larry wrote:

[Mark Wells]

Agree that Iturra is a great catalog. My 2002 catalog has the number you list on the front (888-722-7078). It also has the e-mail address "KALLL at aol.com" (Yes, that's 3 L's. And yes, replace the " at " with "@".)

If all else fails, the mailing address is Iturra Design

4636 Fulton Road Jacksonville, Florida 32225-1332

Mark

[Larry]

Lyn,

Boy am I stupid!!!!!!!! I was forgetting to dial the 1 before the

888. I've been using the net too long.

Larry

[Mike Vore]

Cell phones help you forget the 1 too!