shopmaater 10" bandsaw

[GrantH]

Hey guys, can anyone share experiences with the shopmaster bandsaw? I can get one for 75 dollars and wondering if I should jump on it. I'm wondering if its powerful enough for segmenting and cutting boards of blanks. I don't see me cutting down stumps and such, and I think I can get 75 bucks of use out of it but just seeing what y'all think.

 

[tim self]

I've been using one for the last 3 yrs and it's a love/hate relationship. Locating the guide blocks can be a pain or you can make your own. It's a decent saw for the price and general use but I do not rely on it for anything with precision. You can have blades made which are larger then the manufactured/marketed ones and it works a lot better. The only true drawback I have it lack of resaw capasity, 4". For it's size it is plenty of powerful and the price isn't to bad. I paid $50 for mine.

 

[GrantH]

I've been using one for the last 3 yrs and it's a love/hate relationship. Locating the guide blocks can be a pain or you can make your own. It's a decent saw for the price and general use but I do not rely on it for anything with precision. You can have blades made which are larger then the manufactured/marketed ones and it works a lot better. The only true drawback I have it lack of resaw capasity, 4". For it's size it is plenty of powerful and the price isn't to bad. I paid $50 for mine.

I ended up getting 2 working saws for 75 bucks. I couldn't turn away from it. They are now in the garage. Soon as I learn what i'm doing and make a fence (didn't come with one) I will be up and running with segmenting hopefully.

 

[GrantH]

The only thing these didn't come with was the fence. I am trying to find a way to start segmenting if anyone has any tips on getting started on that. I've got a couple ideas, but would like to hear if anyone has found ways to build DIY fixturesthat don't use a stock fence.