PLANE JIM

My Feedback: (109)

Time to replace the old bandsaw (it's tired)-I have a Craftsman that is about 45 years old-it was my fathers and I built some of my first airplanes with it-I am looking for a new and would like your idea on what you use and if you like it or not-thanks

STUKA BARRY

If you got 45 years out of your Craftsman bandsaw, then the answer is a no brainer, get your butt down to Sears and forget about that $20 Harbor Freight saw.

rcmiket

I picked up a Ryobi and really like it. Been dependable and parts are not a issue.


Mike

Rodney

Two important things; get as big a throat on it as you can afford--at least 12 inches and stay with a two wheeler as 3 wheelers are hard on blades and often a problem on tracking.

carlgrover

I've got a Grizzly 14" G0555 bandsaw and really like it. I also do woodworking so it also sees duty there. You might want to rethink that old Craftsman though. Older machines were made better than new ones. There may be a lot of aftermarket parts you could put in it to get it in like new condition.

If not, I would stay far away from a small bench top saw. RUN from a 3 wheeler too.

carl

init4fun

A good question to Jim would be , how bad off is your old saw ? Are the wheels that carry the blade too worn where the blade rides or otherwise damaged ? If not , and if by tired you mean maybe the bearings for those wheels are going bad or perhaps the bearings or centrifugal starting switch or the start/run capacitors in the motor are on their way out , I think I'd consider doing a bit of a rebuild and keeping it . If you've decided your going to buy a new one cause you want a new one , great ! But if you are buying a new one cause you have to , cause your saw is tired , a handful of bearings , a new blade , and a good cleaning are all that's usually needed to get them working well again . That and of course perhaps the switch or caps I mentioned . Best of Luck with whatever you decide to do .

Hemikiller

My Feedback: (125)

The Sears/Rikon 10" band saw is one of the most highly rated out there among woodworkers in it's price range. I bought mine on a holiday sale for $180 and grabbed a pack of blades while I was there. Been using it for two years and am very happy with it.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-1...p-00921400000P

dirtybird

My Feedback: (5)

I don't know why you are afraid of a three wheeler. I have had one for 20 years. It works for me

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

I got rid of my other band saws once I bought my metal cutting one. It drops down as a cut off saw and stands up with table as a vertical band saw. Cuts everything.

init4fun

Those drop down saws are great for cutting just about anything ! A shop I worked in years ago had one , a huge beast that even had a system to recirculate cutting oil over the piece to be cut . If the budget allows and a saw is needed , I don't think you would go wrong with one of these .

TomCrump

Mine is still going strong after 20 years, too.

carlgrover

I had a small Craftsman 3 wheeler that I really liked. Used it all the time for about 15 years with no problems. Then I changed the blade. It broke quickly. Put on another. It broke. Bought another pack of blades and they all did the same thing. The only place you can get blades for this saw is Sears. It's an odd length. I got tired of breaking blades so I scrapped it out and bought the Grizzly.

Since I also do woodworking, the little Craftsman was coming up short on anything larger than a block of balsa anyway.


Carl

blvdbuzzard

First I would see what is wrong with the current saw. if it is just the bands on the wheels, they can be replace for about $25.00 or so.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...FQeRfgodJG8Glg

I would rebuild the old saw. I have one and just spent a little money on it. She works great again. New drive belt, machined pulley's, wheel belts, runs like new.


Buzz.

mr_matt

My Feedback: (10)

hey Propworn,does this saw have some sort of table that you add when vertical? Can you provide an exact part number? I have been looking at these for awhile and cont find an exact model.

Thanks

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

Most if not all come with the table you describe. You stand the saw up and remove the small guide and screw on the table. Its fixed no tilt at 90 degrees to the blade. As with all tools you get what you pay for. Many of the cheaper ones don't hold the blade straight in the cut. The better ones will have ball bearing rollers as blade guides. I own two Fox brand and King is supposed to be good as well. Grizzly has a pretty good reputation and I own one of their gunsmith lathes so I can vouch for their quality.

King: http://www.kingcanada.com/Products.htm?CD=150

Jett: http://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/hvbs...bandsaw/414458

The Grizzly is on sale right now for $299 and they deliver right to your door. Take a look at the manual on line it shows the table in the vertical position. http://www.grizzly.com/products/4-x-...-Bandsaw/G0622

em14

Remember these are metal cutting saws and their blades are like hacksaw blades. They can become the source of metal filings and oil if you ever cut metal. In the "BandSaw" mode, remember these blades are approximately 1/2" so while that works well for metal not so good for wood curves. I bought one of the first ones I ever saw perhaps 30 years ago and it is used a metal cut off saw only. For what ever it's worth info!
Leo

Propworn

My Feedback: (3)

Other blades are available for these saws. Never had a problem cutting wood, plastic or anything else. In fact the slower speeds work well with plastics as the blade cuts without getting hot enough to melt the material. For really fine detail one still needs an inexpensive scroll saw especially for those inside cuts where any of the bandsaw blades would have to be cut and re-welded inside then cut again once the job is done. With the scroll saw you just disconnect the blade and reattach it inside your part. Remember you can cut wood/plastic as well as metal with these saws but usually a wood bandsaw does not run slow enough if you ever need to cut metal.

Dennis

init4fun

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PLANE JIM

My Feedback: (109)

I bought a 18" JET

init4fun

I used the link in post #15 to go to Jet's site and looked at the 18" bandsaw , You sure got a fine looking saw there Jim ! Congratulations and I wish you many years of happy bandsawing with it .

PS , I like the fact that it looks to have a standard on/off switch controlling the motor rather than having the motor run from a computer with a soft touch panel .

PLANE JIM

My Feedback: (109)

it seems to be a nice unit-I only have played with it so far and no projects yet. It sure is smooth and cuts easily-almost too easy, I need to get use the way it cuts compared to the one I used all my life