BAND SAW POLL ie: which to buy?

[hank dekeyser]

Hey everybody, YES I've read all the threads on bandsaws, NO this isnt my first new tool. OK -I'm usually really good at this BUT- Too many choices of decent bandsaws- So here's your chance to vote.

Band saw choices
A - Delta 28-682 18" for $1075
B- Rikon 10-345 18" for $1149
C- ShopFox 1707 18" for $975
D- Grizzly GO513X2 17" for $995
E- Rikon 10-325 14" for $749 (13" resaw)
F - drive 1000 miles round trip for a Rikon 10-340 (older version of 10-345) for $650

MOney matters aside, which of those listed would you buy ?

Just in case I overlooked something about them all ? Yeah , Ya can't go wrong with any of them, but then again? Please dont just vote for the one you have (or for a big $$ Laguna or similar) I don't do much resawing, mostly bowl blanks and curves / furniture legs and the like.

Thanks to all

[David Christopher]

Hank, I have the Rikon 10-325, it has plenty of power and resaws really well and does the small stuff well also. and a big plus is the blade change is really fast and easy. it has enough capicity to do most needs and if you dont do a lot of resawing its cheeper

[Brian Kent]

I had the exact same question a year ago. I stewed over it every day for months as I saved the pennies. Ultimately everything lined up for me and I bought the Grizzly, with no regrets.

[Jose Kilpatrick]

I don't have one, but I would reccomend the Grizzly. There are lots of good reviews, and many members here own the saw. (wish I had one )

You say you don't do much resawing, but I would definitley buy the one that has the capability to resaw and the one with the strongest motor. I didn't check the stats to see if they were 110 or 220, but that's another consideration.

Another piece of advice I could give is basing a descision on the wheels. Cast aluminum wheels seem to the norm for todays bandsaws, but I have heard 2nd hand that bandsaws with cast iron wheels really have some momentum (and some require a brake to stop them when you switch it off) Which comes in handy for resawing.

I only mention this because it's inevitable that we ALL test the limits of our tools at some point.

[Bill White]

Or you could join the multi-orgasmic goo goo over granite. Let's see....Stone wheels? Hmmmmm? Sounds kinds cave man to me. Anybody ever see a granite countertop fracture?
Bill

[Dewey Torres]

Griz hands down out of those!

[Herbert Wallace]

Grizz here too. Love mine.

[Jacob Mac]

I have a Grizzly G0513, and I really like it. I am sure the extreme version is even better, but I was stretching things to get what I got. I am sure the other bandsaws are great, but I would give serious consideration to the Grizzly.

[John Keeton]

Satisfied Griz 513x2 owner here! Would do it again, easily. No complaints. It is smooth as silk, will resaw to 12", and is quiet!!

[glenn bradley]

I don't have one, but I would reccomend the Grizzly.

I do have one, and I would recommend the Grizzly.

[Dave Lehnert]

Anyone own the new JET 16" or 18" bandsaw? A dealer here in town has them on display and do they ever look stout. very well built with a heaver gage steel than one would expect.

[Ryan Baker]

Rikon 10-345 18"

[hank dekeyser]

Well , my Jet 14" went b-bye last night ! NOW I have to buy a new saw ! I'm flippin' a coin

[Billy Chambless]

Satisfied Griz 513x2 owner here! Would do it again, easily. No complaints. It is smooth as silk, will resaw to 12", and is quiet!!

I had the exact same question a year ago. I stewed over it every day for months as I saved the pennies. Ultimately everything lined up for me and I bought the Grizzly, with no regrets.

As much as I hate to jump on a bandwagon... after laying awake at night for a month or so, I got the 513x2 and have been really happy with it.

[Jim Kountz]

+1 Grizzly