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.

Post this over on bowyers bench , Grizzly will most likely be the reccomended saw.

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.

Yep Grizzily

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  

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.

Jet

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 .

Grizzly.  Great support.

Grizzly...

Got a Grizzly 17" GO513ANV being delivered on Monday.  Yah!

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 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.

QuoteOriginally 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!

QuoteOriginally 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.

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

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

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.