Bridgewood Bandsaw Info or Review

[Eric Porter]

I have been researching and shopping around for a medium size bandsaw for sometime. I would love to have the MiniMax MM16 or Laguna 16HD, but the budget just won't allow it, especially when there are reasonable alternatives (in my opinion) for nearly half the price. After all my research, I had decided on the Grizzly 17" G0513, and I was planning on purchasing soon before the price increases. Then yesterday I came across the new Bridgewood BW-17WBS. It is very similiar to the Grizzly as I am sure most of you are aware, but it comes with cast iron wheels, a magnetic switch, and some other stuff. It's even on sale for $899 right now, after shipping the price difference between the two would be about $200. All that said, I would like to hear from anyone who owns the Bridgewood, or has seen one in action.

Thanks,
Eric

[Brian Hale]

I can't find the magazine but one of them recently rated the Bridgewood Top Tool or Editors Choice.

I'll keep looking...

Brian

[Wayne Johnson]

...the review was in a recent issue of FWW. But, is was the 18" Bridgewood, not the 17". They are significantly different.

I'm also about to pull the trigger on a G0513. I keep trying to find reasons to spend a lot more money on a Laguna, but I'm not coming up with any.

[Mike Linne]

The Bridgewood also has Carter type guides with screw adjusters. I own the G0513 and find the guides a PITA to adjust with blade changes. If I were to do it again I'd pay the $200 difference and go with the Bridgewood for the extra features.

[George Skinner]

I have owned the Bridgewood BW-17WBS for several months and have no complaints.
It is well made and nicely machined. I have been cutting hardwood, particle board and even some aluminum with no problems. It is not my most used machine but I have used it quite often. When I bought mine I was also trying to decide between the Bridgewood and the Grizzly. I went with the Bridgwood as their equipment has always seemed to have better castings and machining. I own several older Grizzly machines and they are still working but the fences and fine adjustments were never very good. I have heard that Grizzly tools have improved over the years but I do not no first hand.
If you have any specific questions let me know.

[Wayne Johnson]

Now Mike, don't go and do that to me. Just when I have my mind made up to buy the G0513, there you go making me second guess myself.

Is it really worth $200 to have these guides on the bridgewood BW-17WBS

<img src=http://www.wilkemach.com/NewImages/Images256x256/BW-17WBS-TriBearingGuide.jpg>

rather than these guides on the Grizzly G0513?

<img src=http://www.terryhatfield.com/upperguides.jpg>

Are the Bridgewood tri-bearing guides really a lot easier to adjust when changing blades? I realize that the Bridgewood also has cast iron wheels vs aluminum on the Grizzly, but again, is it worth $200? For that much more I could get the 19" Grizzly G0514.

Opinions? I know you guys have em... Help me spend my money wisely.

Thanks.

[John Bush]

I,m in the same boat, except I'm within driving distance to the Grizz warehouse. It seems impossible to find a used machine and I,m not sure of the importance of the various features relative to making the decision on which model to buy. My questions are: how much power do you need? will all models give smooth cuts with a good glade? spring strenth? guides? May be logical to buy basic model(Grizz since I can pick it up n/c) and add after market goodies. Where can we test drive one? Thanks John

[Aaron Heck]

Make sure you're comparing apples to apples. You might want to check the 17" Bridgewood and Grizzly saws and see which one has cast iron wheels and a magnetic switch and then see if that $200 difference seems a little more worth it.

Aaron

[Mike Linne]

Wayne,
As I said I own the G0513 and it is a very good value compared to other offerings. I purchased it the month Grizzly started selling them, so at the time Bridgewood wasn't selling the 17WBS yet. I also didn't mean to imply I wasn't satisfied - my G0513 performs well and I'd recommend it without reservation over the Jet, Delta and clone 14" cast iron frame crop of saws. The 17WBS is the exact same saw as the G0513 with the following upgrades:
1. cast iron wheels (est cost dif. $100)
2. magnetic switch (est. cost dif. $35)
3. carter-type guides (est. cost dif $50)
The WBS gives up 1/2" of resaw capacity. Both Griz and Wilke get good marks for customer support, so really the choice comes down to whether the Wilke upgrades have value for the individual user. PS - I do favor the paint scheme on the Griz - LOL

[Wayne Johnson]

Thanks for the analysis. You are making it even more difficult for me to pull the trigger. lol. Here's another twist on my dilemma... Like I said before, for $200 more than the 17" G0513 and at the same price as the 17" WBS I could get the 19" G0514. Going to a 19" apparently would enable me to use carbide tooth blades if I wanted to in the future. (Supposedly, these blades are only designed for 18" and higher) See this link:

http://www.suffolkmachinery.com/1_carbide_blades.asp

Which leads me to my next question, are carbide tipped blades worth the price on a bandsaw? Given the choice, would you get the 19" G0514 over the 17" BW-17WBS since they cost the same?

I'm probably way over-analyzing this, but don’t we all? Oh, and sorry for hijacking your thread, Eric, but I think we are after the same information.

Wayne

[Chris Padilla]

Wayne,

There is no question that a carbide blade on a bandsaw is worth every penny for resawing!! I wouldn't use any other blade. Lenox makes carbide blades in the 1/2 and 3/4" width so I believe so you are covered if you want to run them over 16-17" wheels.

You guys may wish to get the catalog from Iturra and read it cover to cover so you can learn what to look for in a bandsaw. Iturra focuses mostly on 14" bs but you can learn how he takes apart a Delta and Jet and analyzes them for their strengths and weaknesses. Call them at 1.888.722.7078 and ask for a catalog.

Good luck and you can NEVER over-analyze a purchase of a quality piece of woodworking equipment!

[Wayne Johnson]

Thanks for the info, Chris. I just ordered Lonnie Bird's Bandsaw book. Do you have a link where I can find the Lenox carbide blades in the 1/2 and 3/4" width? Also, how about a link for the Iturra catalog? I did a search and came up with less than useful information.

Thanks,
Wayne

[Jim Becker]

Also, how about a link for the Iturra catalog? I did a search and came up with less than useful information.

Iturra does not have a web presence at present. You need to call them at the number Chris provided to request the catalog.

[Aaron Heck]

I hear this place is very helpful and has good pricing on the Lenox blades.

http://www.woodcraftbands.com/

I'll be ordering 2-3 from him in the coming weeks for my MM16.

Aaron

[Wayne Johnson]

OK, guys, somehow through this conversation I have come full circle. 3 or 4 months ago I started off and almost pulled the trigger on buying a G0555 14" Grizzly bandsaw. At the last minute, I had second thoughts and Terry H. envy. I then went down the path over a couple of weeks of it must be the G0513 17" Grizzly, until I saw on Suffolk's website where their carbon tipped blade is only recommended of 18" or higher bandsaws. Well then I moved up to the G0514 19" Grizzly and had my finger on purchase button again, but then had Chris P. tell me about about how Lenox made a carbide tipped blade that would work on the 17" Grizzly. So I was back to the 17" Grizzly and started to ask myself if I can go from 19" to 17" then why wouldn't the 14" do everything that I want it to do.

So, long story short, I just PUSHED the purchase button on a G0555 14" Grizzly. (And 4 Timberwolf blades from Suffolk.)

Whew! Glad that's over with...

Wayne