Need Advice on Bandsaws

[Steviegwood]

Hi Everyone, I am looking to purchase a band saw and I would like to have a good re-saw capability. I could use any advice and info that you good people would share. Size of the machine is no problem as I have plenty of room and available 120 or 240 volts. Thanks in advance for any advice. Steve

[Janette]

Hi Steve,

I have a Jet and it works great. For resawing, it works well except that the maximum height (or width of a piece) I can resaw is a hair over 6". If you're wanting to resaw wider than that you can I believe get an adapter - or I think they make bigger ones out ther - probably more expensive too! It's important to have a good guide to hold your wood against as it goes through. Hope this helps a little.

[greatdane2]

Hi Steve,
I have a Delta 14" saw that you can get a spacer block for and they claim that it is good for resawing. But with a 1hp motor it does not have that much grunt for large jobs. Also it is hard to get the tension high enough to cut veneer with out bowing. The bigger knoc on this size of saw is the blade sizes available.
I also have an 18" saw. 240 volt and 3 hp. It has better fittings to control the blade, and the 18" wheels allow for higher tension with less stress on the blade ( the smaller the wheel the more the blade has to bend around it).
For me the bigger gain in the larger saw is the blade sizes you can get. I use a 3 tooth per inch x 1 1/2 wide blade, and can cut just about anything I want.
The last thing I cut was a Yew log into slices with live edges. With a biger saw I get a cut that does not need as much sanding. and with Yew sanding a slice over several hundred growth rings is not easy. In the past I would have to use the 6 x 48 belt sander with 80 grit paper to start sanding. With my Bandasauruss it is now an easy job to prep the slices.
For me the "bigger is better" is true for a band saw. I bought a import 18" saw that was around $1,500. I basically use it only for resaw and so did not feel like paying the big bucks for a good bandsaw.
So there, my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.

Alan.

[f250]

I have a Delta 14" with a 6" riser block, I can resaw up to 12". I have not yet tried a plank 12" wide, but close. As long as the blade is good and sharp and I don't force things I have very good results.

I sure would like a huge bandsaw like Alan has, but I just can't afford the money or the space right now. The bigger the band saw, the easier it will be to resaw wide planks, but with a 14", a good blade and taking my time I get excellent results!

Tom

[Jediscroller]

A lot depends on your budget Steve. My first choice would be a mini max but at close to $3000 most folks can do without it.
For under $1000, the Grizzly G0555 is the best saw on the market. I have had one with the 6" riser block for a few years now. I've resawed up to 12" Brazilian cherry without problems. It's virtually all I use it for. I use a 3/4" 3 TPI Timberwolf blade and it cuts through most woods like butter.

[Steviegwood]

Thanks for all of the input folks I really appreciate it. Kevin I was looking in Grizzly but must have missed the model that you are talking about. The ones that I was looking at had a 3hp motor and were 19" with re saw capacity of 12" for around $1200 to $1300. I will go back and check out your model. Steve

[Jediscroller]

Steve,
IIRC, their "name" for the saw is the Ultimate 14" or something similar. Although, if the 19" is within your budget, I would opt for that one over mine. The 3HP is a nice thing to have.

[Pajaro]

My thought on Band saws is. "I am afraid of them" I have seen to many people (my uncle lost a thumb, my son who all most lost a thumb, and the butcher I knew when I was a kid---thumb and two fingers). I myself all most lost two fingers on a table saw, but it don't bother me to still use a table saw. But the band saw. I don't know what it is. Don't like them. Sorry folks.

[knothead]

Steve,
Like Kevin, go with the deepest throat and the most capacity and widest blade. Any of my tools that I can convert or use as 240 are the best and most economical. More voltage the less current used.

Tom

[greatdane2]

I agree with Pete, in my mind the bandsaw is the most dangerous tools I have. I was slicing up a piece of 4x6 Cedar yesterday. Was pushing the wood threw and had a piece of 3/4 plywood as a push stick. When I got to the end the blade hit that plywood and cut most of the way through real fast. Guess where my thumb was.
I now have some good push sticks on my bandsaw, not on my workbench.
Another thing I did with the Bandasaurus was replace the switch with a bigger paddle style switch. I also wired in a second paddle switch on a longer cord. This switch has 2 strong magnets, so if cutting wood where I am on the other side of the saw table 34"x 72" I can take the switch with me and keep it handy.
You can also buy huge switches that you can hit with your hip,knee or foot. I have one on my table saw with a plate that is arould 6"x8" I can shut off the table saw and keep both hands on the work till the saw stops.

Alan.