I need a 14" band saw, please advise!

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karlkuehn

karlkuehn

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Anyone able to give me a real life estimate on the Grizzly "Ultimate 14" bandsaw" ($500+ with shipping) versus the Ridgid 14" for $369 that I can pick up just down the road? I don't own any grizzly tools yet, but I've heard nothing but good about them. Also, I have a Woodcraft close, so I can get Jet and Rikon bandsaws (sans shipping) as well. I really need a beefy yet small band saw that can re-saw stuff that's over 3" thick without dying or wandering. Any advice?
 
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Karl, if you even THINK you might get into bigger work, get a 14" that also gives you the option of buying a riser down the road. Actually, if you source wood to make your own blanks you might need the extra height anyway. I have the Canadian comparison to something like the Jet or maybe even the grizzly. I have been using it for about 6yrs with no problem.
 
I have the Ridgid and could not be happier. The warranty is great and there is a service center within 20 miles of my shop. I hear that the Grizzly is good also but the service center being close and Ridgids extended warranty sounded good also. JMHO.

Mike
 
Karl, I have the Grizzly GO555 14" and absolutely love it. Of course, having the Muncy PA Grizzly 15 minutes from the house is nice also! I drove down to your area last year to buy a Jet 1236 I saw on Craigslist, so it wouldn't be too bad a drive for you to come up to Grizzly. I unloaded and assembled the GO555 by myself, but that was before my lung surgery and I likely wouldn't try it now. Hey, if you come up, I'll buy you a cheese steak at the same place I bought Eagle one. [8D]
 
Karl, I have the Grizzly also, and it has been worth every penny. I also have the riser block. the largest thing that has been sawn on it was railroad ties. Needless to say I now need a new blade. It was a relative that was doing the sawing and he managed to push the 3/4 inch blade past the upper thrust bearing, so I also need a new thrust bearing. But those where stupid moves on my part not the fault of the saw.
 
Originally posted by Daniel
<br />Karl, I have the Grizzly also, and it has been worth every penny. I also have the riser block. the largest thing that has been sawn on it was railroad ties. Needless to say I now need a new blade. It was a relative that was doing the sawing and he managed to push the 3/4 inch blade past the upper thrust bearing, so I also need a new thrust bearing. But those where stupid moves on my part not the fault of the saw.
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That "relative" must have been an in-law. [;)]

I'll ditto everyone's positive comments about the G0555.
 
Karl, I own the ridgid 14" Band saw. I have the riser blocks installed, and I run the Timberwolf blades. This has been set up and in very heavy week-end use for about 5 years now and I have had no problems. I replaced the "rubber" wheels once, and I have changed out the guide holders to Carters roller bearing guides instead of the cool block. It has served me well. Also I have heard nothing but good about the grizzly so I guess it comes down to your personal choice. But, If you get the Ridgid, you will save enough to buy the risers and possibly the roller guids also.

Rob
 
Well, thanks guys, I'm going to go ahead and get the Grizzly. From everything I've read online, it's the best in sight for what I can afford. I'm going to get the riser block and the saw, even with $74 shipping is only $560.

Should really help me when cutting up all this timber I have laying around here. I'm tired of using the table and miter saws, it's a bit dangerous, and I've gotten lucky a couple times, but it's not worth the risk for ongoing blank production.

Thanks again![:)]
 
[^] I just bought a Rikon deluxe 14 Inch bandsaw to saw burls and thick stock. The standard blade that comes with it is 1/2" but it will wander in nasty grain. Just got the 3/4" wide blade and that is the maximum for this saw. 1 3/4 HP with 13" throat clearance and 2 speed. $679 at a local dealer with pickup. I'm not sure what the maximum blade widths are, but I would try to get something that will take 3/4' width blades because the 1/2 will wander. It takes 2 people to set up or 1 stupid, strong one to put the head up on the stand. While waiting for my brother to help me set it on the stand, I became the stupid one that lifted it by myself. By being tall enough and putting my shoulder under the arm and standing tall, I just made it on the stand, but I wasn't ready to try again.[:D]
 
One thing when dealing with equipment like this is there are many clones out there with a few differences like motor, color, wheels and the like. All bandsaws will need to be tuned when you get them.

I have a G0555 and it's one of the best investments I have ever made. I have been considering the carter kits for some time now :)

Ed
 
I've been looking for a new bandsaw too and I'm going with Grizzly because of the riser block option and nice fence that comes with it. It seems to be a great deal for the money
 
I have the Grizz ultimate and love it. Never used a Ridgid. The Grizz is accurate, solid, well made and comes well tuned. A few tweaks to bring it dead on and I can re-saw oak with the right blade. I would buy the Grizz again and recommend it to anyone.
 
Grizzly G0555 in my shop. So far it has been great for me except the blade guide bearings aren't real smooth. I talked to Grizzly about ordering the parts to change mine over to block guides. Had to do some tweeks here and there but I'm very pleased with it overall.

Steve
 
Originally posted by stevers
<br />Good job Karl. Congrats. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
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Bah, I'm having second thoughts, but I think the Grizzly is the way to go. I gotta go up to Ron's in Drums to pick up the lathe anyways, and making a side trip Muncy is only an extra hundred miles or so. I'll save $85 in shipping for $25 in gas and a couple hours.

The Ridgid one doesn't come with a fence or miter, and the motor's only 3/4 hp and it's only a little cheaper, so I guess I'll stick with my original plan. heh

I just hope the 1236 and the G0555 fit in the bed of my short bed F-150. I better take some tools along on Saturday just in case. :)
 
They should easily fit. I looked at the Ridgid too. I (personally) think the Grizz is 10 times the saw. And I have a few Ridgid tools, miter saw, drill driver, recip saw and I cant think what else. But for big tools, I like Grizz. My GO444Z (contractors table saw) is killer. Cuts like butter, spot on accurate, heavy duty, tough as nails, dead flat cast iron top, I could go on and on. I love my two Grizzly stationary tools and would do it again.

Sorry for the rambling plug, I'll go now.
 
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