Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm upgrading my bandsaw next week and I'm having a hard time choosing between two of them. Opinions wanted!!!
In Fine Woodworkings new tool mag they rated the Grizzly as their best buy with a higher rating than Jet. (This was also Grizzly's 2hp model, not the 3hp.)

Choices narrowed down to these;

Jet 18"
Model 710750. Jet's 18" bandsaw has a full 12" of resaw capacity between the improved upper roller bearing blade guides and the table. Jet has also incorporated a heavy duty trunnion system for this saw. Features: 1-3/4 HP single phase, 115/230V motor; 18" width of cut; 137" blade (from 1/4" to 1-1/2" wide); precision “T” style rip fence; rack and pinion blade guard mechanism; large 19" x 19" cast iron table.


Grizzly 19"
Features:

Blade tension indicator
Micro adjusting gear table
Height scale measurement
Fence with scale and magnifying window
Deluxe extruded aluminum fence
Miter gauge
4" dust port x 2
Table tilt: 10 deg. left, 45 deg. Right
Quick change blade release/tensioning
Rack and pinion upper guide adjustment
Includes 5/8" blade
Specifications:

Motor: 3 HP, 220V, single-phase, TEFC capacitor start induction, 60 Hz, pre-wired 220V
RPM: 1725
Precision ground cast iron table
Table size: 26 3/4" x 19" x 1 1/2" thick
Floor to table height: 37 1/2"
Cutting capacity/throat: 18 1/4"
Maximum cutting height: 12"
Blade size: 143" long
Blade sizes available: 1/8" - 1 1/4"
2 Blade speeds: 1700, 3500 FPM
Wheels: fully balanced cast iron with polyurethane tires
Wheel covers: pre-formed, hinged steel
Blade guides: dual ball bearing with full enclosure protection
Bearings: sealed and permanently lubricated
Overall size: 78"H x 36"W x 32"D

Both Saws are made in Taiwan.

I had one grizzly bandsaw and if I had to go back and do it again I
wouldn't. I could never get the thing to cut very well. I have a mm16
minimax and I love it. I also have a small delta bandsaw and want a
intermediate Rigid as well.

My advice..... Buy the Jet if your set between the two...

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Go Ridgid 14", they are so quiet compared to what i've known and easy to assemble, good ratings too i;ve heard.

I use my bandsaw a lot - in fact, I don't even have a table saw. If you get
a good one and set it up properly - it will defintely be one of the most
used tools in your shop.

I have a Grizzly 24" bandsaw - the thing is massive and well-built and
certainly is an industrial machine. From the looks of it, the 19" is based
off the same design.

One positive for the 19" Grizzly is the cast iron wheels. I'm not sure if the
Jet has these. But it is a definite advantage as the mass helps the motor
cut thru the wood.

I am also a Minimax customer. I've got a $5000 12" jointer/planer that is
extremely well-built. My minimax rep told me that he was impressed
with Grizzly's 24" bandsaw and thought it was a better machine than a
comparable Laguna.

From my personal experience, I think you will be happy with the Grizzly.

I should also mention that no machine I have ever bought did not have
some small issue with it - complain about the parts that aren't perfect
and you will have a good machine.

Good luck

Here is a link to some photos of my Grizzly.

http://
www.fayguitars.com/guitars/visuals/workshop.htmlSimonF38812.0683217593

Simon, i just love your signature!

Looks like your shop is well equipped huh?

Thanks Serge,


The full quote from Szasz is:

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an
injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they
are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older
persons who are vain or important cannot learn at all."

I think all of us can take a lesson from this quote - it hit me really hard
when I first read it.

SimonF38812.4459259259

I have a Laguna 16HD band saw and use it all the time. It is my favorite tool in my shop and gets by far the most use. Most of the time I am using a 1" carbide tipped resaw blade. My only regret about this saw is that it is awfully big for many of the small band saw tasks we all encounter.

I can't comment specifically on either of the two saws you are considering, but note that they are both large machines. If all you are going to use them for is resawing, great. If you are looking for an all-around saw, a smaller saw may be a better choice. I find myself frequently thinking about adding a small band saw to my shop for small work and mine is just a 16".

Look forward to hearing what you decide.

Kevin

[QUOTE=SimonF] Thanks Serge,


The full quote from Szasz is:

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an
injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they
are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older
persons who are vain or important cannot learn at all."

I think all of us can take a lesson from this quote - it hit me really hard
when I first read it.

[/QUOTE]

Wow! I love quotes and that one's a doozy! Thanks for sharing that Simon. I'll save that one for sure...

_________________
I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Thanks Simon, that is one reason i try the hardest to stay a big kid at heart! Great thinking!

The new Grizzly G0566 21" saw is supposed to be an incredible value, and a great saw for the money. Anything remotely similar in the European saws is a LOT more $$. It's received some great reviews as well. Not a heck of a lot more than the 19" saw.

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."