I’m looking for a 14″ bandsaw and after reading all the reviews it seems I’m back to square one. The minute I read three good reviews I read four that say nay.
Presently I need to resaw some 5/4 x 6ish redwood I salvaged from a redwood hot tub more than a dozen years ago. Been schlepping it around a long time and now I need to make a decorative fence in front of my house to house wildflowers and the such.
I don’t want to buy a cheap piece of junk that just gets me through this project or spend a fortune because I don’t use a bandsaw every day but who knows which way the wind blows.
Theres one on Ebay right now and its up to $500something. An old Delta. Looks pretty rock steady. Only 3/4 HP though. For $700 I could easily get a full horse and new but is old better? Depends.
Which bandsaws $400ish to $700ish do you all recommend?
I’ve heard good things about Jet, Delta, and lifetime warranty on Rigid etc, etc..ugh…Thought I was done when I read some good reviews on Grizzly until I read another from a guy that owns three BS…one a Grizzly and he says he’d stay with Delta.
then theres the
Powermatic but now we’re a cpl a hundred more than I wanna spend..ugh.
I’ve been watching Ebay like a hawk but it needs to be a saw I can pick up so that limits Ebay except for the one coming up tonight on L.I.
Any suggestions?
Be resawn
andy
The secret of Zen in two words is, “Not always so”!
When we meet, we say, Namaste’..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Replies
I have one of the old Taiwaneese 14" bandsaws, Andy, and I get by just fine. I often lust after a new Jet, or Grizzly, but probably only use that saw 30, maybe 40 hours/year and Jet parts bolt right on to it whenever something breaks.
Don't get too worked up over HP. I think most sawing, especially bandsawing, is more dependant on alignments and the right blade, than brute force for efficient operation. And of course, you can always put another motor on if you need to.
I would be careful about buying a tool like that online, though. I'm not real mecahnical and like the comfort of having a warrenty, even if I never use it. It's nice to be able to pick up the phone and get a little help from the manufacturer and I think it goes a long way if they look on their screen and see you bought their tool from a dealer.
TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0570Then I see this one...I really dont wanna spend this kinda scratch and may take all yer all advice and get a less expensive ...uhhh...Delta?
Still gonna check on that Ebay deal but I have a feeling.....
Thing is...you see one new for about $400 then this one in the link above for $250 more..then the Ebay one..wah? huh? Damn! Geezz!!....HELPPPP!!!I think what you said...like you, I'll probably use it , not all that much so.
And just when I was going to hit the button and buy the Fein vacuum...I refrained (see how good I'm getting in my sober years...lol)and think I'll just deala vac fer under a hundred bucks. Fug it!
If I were a rich man...which I'm far from that, I'd have the best of the best but being rich only in loans affords me more sense than cents...lol
Thanks Jimbo..
Be still scrathin more hair offa me head
Mr.Clean...ughThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Reserve on that saws $500, and It'll go for that, its a metal wood cutter with the elusive gearbox for speed changing.
I know...I have my finger on BID. He lives a half hour away from me as well.The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
The bandsaw is so versitle, that one you have it you will likely use it more than you think. Everyone I talk to who bought one tells me that - making my next purchase one. Told they use it for resawing, scroll work, curves and that it is safer ripping with the BS than a TS.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Andy,
The delta on ebay looks solid, I just bought one in NJ, p/u monday. The new delta's aren't 1/2 the saw the old ones were. If I wanted a new saw today,I'd buy the Delta X5, or the Grizzly.
I really wanted a 16" Walker Turner Metal Wood Saw, but when they pop up they cost more than my budget will take.
The old saws were built better and run stronger than any new one. But used often means work. Bandsaws have lots of semi consumable parts.
In your case, I'd go to Lowes, buy the Delta 14" saw, and get some good blades from timberwolf or woodslicer and have at it.
Good luck
ab,
personal experience with Delta 14" has been very positive. the basic Delta bandsaw design has been essentially unchanged since the 1930's when they first started marketing them (although there have been *some* changes). my current saw is a ten-year-old "Platinum Edition" with a 1 horse motor, enclosed stand, mobile base and riser kit. I like it a lot and have resawn 10" wide boards with a 1/2" carbide-tipped blade with little effort.
If looking to buy used, the Deltas are good, the Jet 14" has also gotten some good reviews. Grizzly's 'Ultimate" 14" saw seems to be popular. If you want a lot of aftermarket stuff such as quick tension release, fences, common blades, riser kits, etc, the Delta and Jet are the way to go.
I suspect that you're not in the market for a vintage machine that you have to restore to use, so I won't go there, except to say there are good older saws, (20" Delta and 16" Walker-Turner come to mind) but they may need some help first.
There are a pile of excellent saws by Grizzly, Laguna, Minimax, and others that seem to be way out of your apparent budget - 12" resaw capacity, 2 horse motors, 1" blade width capacity, etc. This class of saws are more for the frequent user who does resawing, cutting bowl blanks, thick wood, complex cuts, etc.
If you have a jointer and planer, a bigger bandsaw makes for an excellent ripsaw for rough cuts, just as good as a table saw in some cases. Great for cutting thin strips of wood for veneer or inlay when the table saw wouldn't be safe.
More than you wanted to know, I bet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7585550909&ssPageName=ADME:B:WN:US:18No, thatwas great. thanks, but much like Baskin/Robbins...theres so many flavors...I'm going to see how much the saw I from the link above goes up to. Not sure what I should be paying for it but it does appear to seem super solid although it is only 3/4 HP...hmmmThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
andy we bought the 14" Delta #28-275 3/4 hp with stand in '01 for $400 new
very satisfied
You've got one of the last good ones. They've shifted production to China (28-276 now) and imho not the machine they used to be.
Edited 2/3/2006 7:37 pm ET by jc21
Thanks Mike...good to hear a review from someone that hasn't just owned it for five minutes like so many other reviews I've read (not here in BT).
The reviews I see at Amazon.com from new Delta owners are seriously mixed...enough to make me dazed and confused. Almost seems like a crap shoot even with a "new" saw. See,s the newest reviews are the worst and the ones from early 2000's are much better...hmmm
The thing about new is the set up time and so many of these reviewers had major issues after they finally had em' set up but seems Amazon is good to deal with..
I'm keeping my eyes open.
Hey...I ended up buying a Crapsman shop vac ($100) instead of the fein for $400 w/ the necessary attachments...Figured I'd deal with the noise for ten minutes and save $300 towards the saw.And as far as breathing the dust by not have a 1-5 micr filter or Hepa...well, I should have been dead a real long time ago....lol.
Have a good weekend
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Went through the same thing in fall of '04....... 'bout drove me crazy. Enough to make you hide out in the tipi for awhile. Looked at used and passed due to lack of time for a restoration. Looked at Delta, Powermatic, and Jet. Passed on all three and wound up with a MiniMax S14. They've since discontinued it but no regrets ....it's been a great machine. Smooth, lots of power- no bogging down when resawing 8" red oak. It's close to being a twin of the Grizzly G0570. The MM has a closed base (the Grizz is open), magnetic switch, and stacked roller guides (Grizz uses single roller) and uses a poly v belt drive. If I was in the market again I think the Grizzly would be near or at top of my list.
JC:
Why do you say it's the twin of a grizzley? I assumed all MiniMax products were made in Italy from a separate firm from Grizzley.
BTW, I'm in the market for a 14-16" bandsaw (with provisions for a fence, or after-market model) and have read good reviews here on MiniMax products and support. I have several Delta products - Unisaw, DJ-20, portable paner - very pleased w/ value.
I have a 14" 1/2 hp Delta that I bought about 20 yrs ago. The label says made in USA. It has done very well, inspite of the low hp. Like someone else said, a sharp blade makes all the difference. I'd sell you mine for a good price, but shipping would be a problem.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Delta USED TO BE the standard others were meaused against, but the have really gone downhill in the last 5-10 years.1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
"I assumed all MiniMax products were made in Italy" Currently that's true; the MM's are made by Centauro and the S45 iirc by MiniMax itself. The S14 was the exception. The S14 was a Taiwanese import introduced by MiniMax USA as an entry level machine (a very good one imho) and later discontinued. Not long after Grizzly introduced the G0570. MM and Grizzly have no relationship that I'm aware of other than using the same factory in Taiwan. Not a uncommon practice. If you look at 20" planers from Powermatic, Fox Shop, Grizzly, and General International, you'll find they're almost identical other than paint schemes. I'll vouch for MM's sales and support- top notch. No high pressure and no unrealistic expectations with the sale. Support was good with the questions I had about setup- the manual left a lot to be desired but at least it was in english of sorts. From what I understand MM is introducing a machine with 12" resaw called the E16 for about $1500. It's not on their website- call for futher info.
Edited 2/4/2006 9:33 am ET by jc21
I favor Jim`s reply , but Im sure hes more serious than I.
When you try to do a great number of things you simply have to draw some lines in the sand I figgure Rivermnan makes a living in a shop or part of .. Im thinkin , hes pro and he probably dont do the gigs I do either . Are you going to make a liviing in a shop or part of ? Im sure what he said is true but we all cant have everything .
Ive got a shop with quite a bit of things in it but it wouldnt suit R.
I picked up a craftsman 1/2 inch joiner that does ok but its no long bed joiner but theres also a difference in price. I bought it for 100 dollars from a pawn shop.
I was driving down the hwy and saw a flea market and seen a band saw and whirled around. I think its 14inch. 15 minutes later I loaded it for 75 dollars. Its also a craftsman.
I bought a rather large drill press from a cabinet shop gone bankrupt at public sale for 100.00 and its pretty nice machine thats also the big craftsman. It could use more power but I can gear it down. 95 percent of the time I love it .
So theres 3 machines for 275 dollars. Ive used the joiner about 5 hours . Ive used the band saw about 2 hrs . Ive got a lot of time on the drill press , unreal. I didnt think I really needed one till I got it . I have had them 2 to to 3 years.
Im happy with them for as much as I use them. If I ever get a chance for a deal on a nicer drill press Ill just do it . But its still nicer than most you see in most peoples shops. Ive never found a shop loaded with thousands and thousads of dollars in shop equipment unless they were making a living from it or part of .
Ive always wanted one of thiose big honkin table saws that are 3 to 5 hp and has huge out feed rollars and side bars. But I dont need one.
Tim
Too bad you are so far away. I have an extra 14" Delta (my wife would probably give you both of them right now). I downsized and until I get a new shop built I have too many tools...her words.
Both are American made and the bearings are available from the local auto supply for 10% of what the dealer wanted and they are the same brand and item number.
john
Man...you and Fast Eddie are real Texan teases...but thanks anywho.
HAve a great weekend
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
andy, 13 months ago I bought a Grizzly 0555 the day before the price increase - I'd been watching for a 'deal' on a shop bandsaw for years and had never run into anything -
the Grizzly blade is crap, but the saw is good for the $ - I am ambivelent about the chinese origen, but now have two chinese machines in my shop, the other being a mortiser that my lumber yard had priced at cost (mistakenly, but I questioned the owner at the time I bought it - he freaked just a little when he finally figured it out, but was a gentleman about it)
anyway, I spent another $64 beyond the price of the saw and riserblock for a selection of Suffolk blades and the saw does anything I ask of it -
I do have a heavy duty saw for resaw tho....
"there's enough for everyone"
"I do have a heavy duty saw for resaw tho...."
I SAW THAT, DOUD!TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
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"there's enough for everyone"
You're a funny guy.
Hey! What say you bring that rusty old thing to Tiptfest? I could take it from there and we wouldn't have to coordinate meeting in the Midwest. Save us both some hassle.TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
You're a funny guy.
oh, you so misread me - mr serious here - a chick magnet, trained killer, and, best for you, a professional consultant -
I can tell you DO need my help, Jim, and I'm here for ya - your first 15 minutes are free -
now, I'm not gonna haul that orange albatross to NY, it'd be too much like work, and it's not on your way home anyway - too big for carry on and the paperwork for check-in is a pita these days -
but the best thing is, it can be really easy - I see several of possibilities -
there is the time honored 'credit card' strategy - I'd be amazed if you (and Kathy) don't have enough available credit left on your cards to buy one of these machines outright (diesel model excepted) - it's just that easy -
and since you seem like the serious sort also, I'm betting you have quite a bit of equity in your home - even tho interest rates have risen, this equity is still easily tapped and with a woodmizer you can build a new home for practically pennies -
and then there is the 'sell your woman' strategy - now I know, like myself, your initial investment in women has depreciated, but being smart guys like we are, we both did the hard work and got us daughters - from what I've been able to glean yours is in her prime and has quite a value as collateral, if you don't want to sell outright - and there is much less paperwork than either of the first two strategies -
yes, Jim, you too can achieve the happyness that comes from posessing tools and keeping small gasoline engines running well, it's just that easy -
contact me off forum for more details, you'll be on the clock then, and I can't afford to just give away any more secrets, but I AM there for ya buddy -
"there's enough for everyone"
Jim, I was thinking as I was cleaning shop today that it's possible your wouldn't think the previous post was funny at all - if so, I apologize - our family would joke about it, see here: 69138.1
and speaking of bandsaws, have you picked out the one you would get iffen you had your pick?
"there's enough for everyone"
"...it's possible your wouldn't think the previous post was funny at all..."
Laughed me arse off, is all. Went to bed chuckling then read that one about hiring out the wimmins today and have been grinning all day.
Whar I DON'T consider funny is your insistance on keeping that saw though, David. How about changing your stance on THAT issue?
Pretty much decided on the Woodmizer LT15 with 15hp electric motor, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Still wavering on the tractor. TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
went to the woodmizer site and browsed around the LT-15 - looks like it would be fine for 'personal' use - and I like the endlessly expandable carriage - 20' is not long enough for timber framing - I did notice they had a some extended beds for the LT-40 - I'm gonna check that out, strictly academic interest for the near future -
I saw one of the manual mills several years ago, but didn't have time to hang around and watch it work for very long - I remember thinking that it looked like a lot of crank turning - but, again, I find it real easy to saw too much wood - then it either sets around getting the covers blown off, or gets wasted - back when I was renting the mill, I had to think several seasons ahead and guess what I'd get done - I've been better about just sawing what I need for specific projects recently - I do have a few 'utility' logs (mostly poplar) racked and ready to saw whenever/whatever -
you got 3 phase power?
and what tractors are you considering? -
and where are you getting your logs?
"there's enough for everyone"
Pretty much settled on a 28 HP Kubota. But again, once all the shopping was over and all I had to do was do it, I didn't. Or maybe I should say "haven't". Still might, but I have to first commit to building on our other three lots instead of pursuing other options with the last 10 years of my working life.
We have several thousand feet of douglas fir here on our place and I know a logger who said he'd be happy to sell me short butts and other low grade logs on a regular basis. And one of my neighbors has a tree service. He's always bringing logs home. There doesn't seem to be a shortage of logs to be had around here, David.
Truth of the matter is though, framing lumber is still pretty cheap to buy at the lumber yard, and for the few times I come upon a deal for trim grade lumber I'd be smarter to hire it sawn. Crimony, I just talked to a guy who said he still cuts for 250/mbf. That's pretty cheap.
Mostly, I guess I still like to fantasize about it. And needle you. TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
ya - I have a couple of jobs coming up soon - gonna charge .30/bd ft - - that = 2.40/8' 2X6, if the math in my head resembles reality tonight - not tremedous savings sawing framing lumber - but I can saw out 20 of 'em in a few minutes - it's a lifestyle thing -
the real fun is the cabinet wood and paneling and things like that - I like wide boards - I like walnut and cherry and poplar - not sure what you do with 15 - 1X20X20 clear maple, but they are waiting for something to come up -
and I cut the walnut for the window framing (not the sash) a year ago - I'm gonna dredge up that window building thread one of these days, the sash are still floating around the shop -
our nest emptied last fall and I've been having thoughts similar to your '...I have to first commit to building...' - - I don't feel like making any major (change of) life decisions right now, but that I have the option of heading in some different directions is on my mind a lot -
dunno - I've generally been pretty good at doin' what I want to do - guess I'll keep at it -
"there's enough for everyone"
Andy,
Have you checked with any of the local schools that have discontinued or cut back their shop classes?
Our school system shut the doors on shop a while back and put all the equipment in storage. A guy I met went to the people in charge and was able to pick up some of the stuff at rock bottom prices.
His costs for refurbishing were for things like bearings, guide blocks and blades. The older stuff was used to death in shop classes but you can't hurt the basic machine.
A little elbow grease, the bearings and belt replacement and you got a shop tool for less than the price of the current crop of sheet metal bench tops.
Have you checked with any of the local schools that have discontinued or cut back their shop classes?
That happened here last yr. Unisaws/Powermatics went for $250-300. 15" Powermatic planer for $200. No bandsaws, however. I ended up with a large Powermatic wood lathe for $25 (no typo). My little tractor about had a hernia unloading it.
My tax dollars at work. Lathe needed help for the variable speed to work again, but everything else mostly just had surface rust. Not even a loose bearing that I could find.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Ralph,They don't even have shops in these haughty taughty schools but in the surrounding areas most all the schools were revamped five six years ago.
I did happen to call BOCES, state run trade schools but no go...I did think of that.
Next is to look in the back of the NY Times on Sunday at the auction pages...hmmmmmm. I used to do that years ago..you triggered that thought.
Thanks
Be Roy Rogers
andy
Andy, if you go the used Delta route, give Louis Iturra at Iturra Design a call (he has no website) and ask for his catalog. Tires, guide systems, blades ......... it's all in there. The catalog is much more than a catalog, it's an education in itself. Articles about new vs old, Far East vs American made etc, etc.
Iturra Design Louis Iturra 888-722-7078
((888) 722-7078888) 722-7078
Thanks...done.
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My recommendations....you aren't gonna like me, cause I'm going to tell you to spend money......best small bandsaw out there, bar none, is the General 15". They will last for decades, so if you can find a used one....as they are expensive new (.http://www.wilkemachinery.com/default.tpl?action=full&cart=1139404676138973&id1=2&--woSECTIONSdatarq=2&--SECTIONSword=ww&--eqskudatarq=2084) But excellent saws...I have one here, as well as it's big brother.
Second choice would be a Wadkin-Bursgreen....there is one on ebay now starting at $500. That's a good saw....had a chance to add one of those last year, and should have.
That said, my personal bandsaw is a Chinese one, but a bigger one....I think it's a 20 inch, 2 hp 220 volt model, made by King (I think they now sell a copy of an Italian one as a bigger bandsaw). Anyway, cheap, beefy, very very powerful, and after a day of rebuilding it (bought it new, but the top section was misaligned with the bottom), it will tackle anything.
Resawing takes a lot of guts; you'll regret buying an undersized saw. I'm also not a fan of Deltas; I have set-up more Delta saws for people than I care to remember....they almost all need work (everyone I have seen)....some are worth it, and some never work great.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Hey Andy,
Check out this link...http://cgi.liquidation.com/auction/view?id=785356&convertTo=USD
It has a Jet and seems pretty cheap. Only thing is, you have to take all the other stuff too. Also, check out Governmentliquidation.com. I picked up a Powermatic 66 last month from the Army base here for about half of a new one.
FrankFrank
Thanks...I check Ebay every day. dont see the Wadkin-Bursgreen. None the less, the only problem with Ebay and a big item like a saw is one has to pick it up so it needs to be local.
I'm certainly not going to buy a toy but once again....I'm not going to spend more than 650 ish so used might be the way to go. I have a little bit of time to buy one (about a month or so) so I have my eyes open.
I also know, not being prodominatly a cabinet guy I'm not going to use the saw nearly as much as I'm guessing you do...alls taken into consideration practically speaking.
Thanks again
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Now you're talking... used. I sold nice Crescent for your budget. Kept a larger orphan (Silver Mfg.) that had been converted from babbitt to ballbearings before I bought it.
But, umm, cabinets are largely sheet goods, not generally cut on a bandsaw. You might be surprised at how often you'll use a bandsaw, once you get it tuned and used to it. Mine's got a 36" throat and will resaw 13" (with a fresh blade). One of the two stationary machines I bothered to bring here when we came.
Check out used tool dealers there. The Asian influx knocked prices down considerably.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Sure....I guess one point I was making though was , if you are looking at used, to keep an eye out for those machines.....much better machines than Delta. You won't go wrong by getting the beefiest most capable saw you can find.....you never know what you will throw at it.Cabinetmaker/college woodworking instructor. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Hey Andy, In today's mail I got a coupon card from Rockler. You guys have those stores out there? Anyways, they are selling the Jet 14" band saw for 50 skins off regular price, plus they say you get a 50 dollar rebate from Jet.
That would be...let me see...zero plus zero...carry , nope nothing to carry...5 plus 5 is 10...slide the decimal, no wait, keep the decimal but don't forget the 0 in the far right hand column...I THINK that's 100 bucks off!TIPI,TIPI,TIPI!
Whatever you buy if you are resawing, get a high quality blade. I put a woodsilcer on my powermatic 143, I can cut veneer 1/16" thick in hardwood.
What about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Delta-VERTICAL-BAND-SAW-WOODWORKING-buySAFE_W0QQitemZ7579340997QQcategoryZ57121QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Interesting...Thanks. I just called them as soon as I saw your post but theyre closed till Moday so I'll give them a call then. They have two possible saws. They give no info at all on their listings so...The're an hour or so away which isn't bad if I wanted to check it out before and if I bought one from them. Wonder how negotiable they are? They have tons of equiptment there...Geezzz.
Thanks again
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Almost anything will resaw redwood as it's soft and usually has very little tension. If you work mostly with soft woods or the softer domestic hardwoods such as cherry, walnut or birch you should have no problem with the delta you are considering. Once you bite into something like hard maple or some of the jungle woods you really need a more robust machine that can tension a blade to the point of no deflection under feed pressure. To my knowledge non of the 14 inch saws would fit the bill. In our shop we have a 15 inch General, a 14 inch 1936 vintage Delta Milwaukee, a 30 inch Oliver and a Hitachi Resaw. With the exception of the Hitachi non of the other saws do well in hard maple. Horse power is not as much of a factor as the ability to tension the blade. The Hitachi has a 2 hp motor and does very well teamed up with a stock feeder.
Thanks...yeh I know about Redwood...I could chew through it...lol. Thing is...if I buy a saw it won't "just" be for redwood. thats just what I happen to have now. It should be somewhat versatile. I'm keeping my eyes open...still have plenty of time so...
Thanks again
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides, I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace. I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
This one is beefy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rockwell-Delta-Crescent-VERTICAL-BAND-SAW-buySAFE_W0QQitemZ7579334348QQcategoryZ12586QQcmdZViewItem
Absolutely true story....had a grizzly..worked so-so for a year, then went out of adjustment to the point that it would not track the blade. Tried Carter guides, cool blocks, new tires and bearings. Got totally PO'd one night and disassembled it into the dumpster..kept nuts and bolts and motor. Bought a Jet 18"...not a second of downtime and can Really resaw when needed.
Had bad luck with a few Grizzly tablesaws also....nice steel...more like silly putty.
I have HEARD good things on the Rikon and the Grizzly. I know that this is an oft discussed topic over in Knots (go to their TOOL folder and search - 500+ hits all told and 300+ in the last year). While not much larger in footprint, you might consider a 16" one - more HP and more resaw capability.
Top brands - Laguna, Minimax but they will run in the $1400+ range