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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: veyonyx on January 20, 2017, 01:15:00 PM
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Hello all,
I'm looking to buy a band saw. I work with a lot of hard materials like purple heart, ebony, and now fiberglass. I'm leaning toward the Craftsman BAS350 based on recommendations to go with a minimum of 14". Space is an issue in my shop and I would like to keep it under $800 if possible. I don't want to buy used (been burned before).
Any info, wisdom, and recommendations welcome.
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Post this over on bowyers bench , Grizzly will most likely be the reccomended saw.
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I bought the Grizzly Tools # G0555LX. Its been good for our needs. Its a 1 HP, 14" saw much like the Craftsman saw you mentioned.
Something that made this saw more useable was the purchase of a Lennox Carbide Tri-Master blade for cutting hard materials like fiberglass. That stuff really eats up conventional blades, but the carbide blade just keeps on running.
If I was buying today, I would go with the # G0513ANV 2HP 17" saw.
One thing I like about Grizzly is the easy lookup and support for any parts or replacement items we may need.
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Yep Grizzily
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3 very talented bowyers posted Grizzly before I did, speaks volumes too me. Zero talent here and I have the Grizzly 555! I bought mine used for $250 off CL,,,installed urethane bands and put on a new blade,,,.no regrets ;)
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I would go with Jet for what you are subscribing. Don't be afraid of used if you use common sense and check it out before you hand over the money.
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Jet
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I have a craftsman 14" 1.5 HP. Very happy with it.
Using an assortment of blades with varying TPI I've made several hickory selfbows .
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Grizzly. Great support.
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Grizzly...
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Got a Grizzly 17" GO513ANV being delivered on Monday. Yah!
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Thanks all,
Looks like I'll be getting the Grizzly 14" Anniversary edition with a Lennox Carbide Tri-Master blade that Wagstaff recommended. This hobby just keeps getting more the further down the rabbit hole I go.
I appreciate the advice.
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I have only one problem with the carbide blades. In my shop (not a bowyer) I run a band saw for hours on end and the carbide blades work well but eventually work harden the backs and break. I have found that unless you really need the carbide for the material you are cutting, I can get more done with 10 standard blades than with 1 carbide and for less cost.
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Originally posted by newhouse114:
I have only one problem with the carbide blades. In my shop (not a bowyer) I run a band saw for hours on end and the carbide blades work well but eventually work harden the backs and break. I have found that unless you really need the carbide for the material you are cutting, I can get more done with 10 standard blades than with 1 carbide and for less cost.
even more so with the smaller wheels !!tighter bend=more fatigue!
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Originally posted by veyonyx:
Thanks all,
Looks like I'll be getting the Grizzly 14" Anniversary edition with a Lennox Carbide Tri-Master blade that Wagstaff recommended. This hobby just keeps getting more the further down the rabbit hole I go.
I appreciate the advice.
I have that same saw and I really like it.
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I use a old Craftsman back when they made quality stuff. I'd go with whatever the guys above say.
I think I saw this link here but anyone that uses a bandsaw should watch this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGbZqWac0jU
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One tip in buying the Lennox Tri-Master blade for a smaller 14" saw is to buy a 1/2" blade rather than a 3/8" blade. The 1/2" is thinner and bends around the 14" wheel without creating fatigue of the steel. When I used the 3/8" blades, I broke them all the time. Since switching to the 1/2", I have not broken a blade. The current 1/2" blade I have on my 14" Jet has cut out more than 100 bows.
--Mike Dunnaway
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Another vote for a Griz, I have had this one for at least 15 years, the only work I have done to it was to put a new tire on the wheel after a broken blade cut up the existing tire.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/new%20saw_zpsswnnoebp.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/bow%20making/new%20saw_zpsswnnoebp.jpg.html)