Best bandsaw on a budget?

[Matt Brawley]

I am looking to buy a bandsaw for my shop either a 14", 16" or 17", and wanted to get everyone's opinions on what would be the best bang for my buck. I know MM and Laguna are out of my price range. What are the opinions of the Grizzly 14" and 17" saws?

[Steve Rozmiarek]

Does it have to be new? Used might get you more saw, if your willing to work with it a bit to get it up to par. Of course, all new tools need tuned up or at least checked out thouroghly too...

[Myk Rian]

I got a fantastic Delta 14" on craigslist. Check there often, and be early on sending an e-mail.

[ed vitanovec]

I don't know what your dollar limit is but Rikon has received good reviews on their 14" and 18" bandsaws. The pricing is resonable.

Regards!
Ed

[Paul Ryan]

I have a grizzly 0555 and for under $500 you really cant beat it. And grizzly's 17" saws get great reviews too. For an entry level band saw you really cant beat any of grizzly's saws. Other wise there is craiglist, I searched for about a year and finally gave up and bought a new one. I should have do that a lot sooner.

[Corey Wilcox]

I bought a Grizzly 0555 several years ago and have been completely happy with it. Put on a good quality blade and it will cut anything you ask it to.

[Matt Brawley]

I am trying to keep it under $1000. I have looked on Craigslist, but in South Florida there are not many woodworkers and even fewer that are getting rid of decent equipment.

[Tom Adger]

Matt, used is the way to go. I bought a slightly used Ridgid 06101 jointer on ebay for $215. I had to go from Ft Pierce to Tampa to get it, but it gave me a good excuse to visit my daughter there. Check CL for the Orlando, treasure coast, and miami areas as well. If you go the ebay route, be sure to use esnipe, which places your last bid, up to your highest, with 4 seconds to go.

[Marc Frimet]

I also have the G0555 with riser block. It required very little tune-up and it maintains settings. My only complaint is that the fence is only so-so. But for the price, it is a terrific saw and you can upgrade the fence.

[Brett Clark]

After watching craigslist (4 different cities) for several months and finding only saws that were too small or too big, I bought a Grizzly G0555X with riser block and shopfox mobile base($810 including shipping) and am quite happy with it so far. I considered a 17", but decided I didn't have the space.

deciding factor over other 14" bandsaws: 1 1/2 horse motor, price, cast iron wheels
favorite non essential features: built in light, solid base that has a built in compartment for storage
dislikes: the roller bearings on the guides are pretty noisy and a bit touchy when adjusting - to be replaced by guide blocks in the near future so I can use smaller blades

[Gary Muto]

I recently purcahsed a Rikon 10-325 and am very pleased with it. I wanted a saw that I could maneuver myself in a pinch and was able to get it into my basement shop. If I had the space and didn't care about the weight, I would've picked up the Jet 18". They sell one with a 1 3/4 motor that was maybe ~$1100.

[glenn bradley]

Google search here on G0513. Comes in different flavors. Many happy owners including myself.

[Jim Kountz]

Grizzly G0512X2. A beast of a saw for a song of a price!!

[Stephen Edwards]

GO555X with riser block here and very satisfied. It comes with the re-saw fence which is a great fence, in my opinion. Works well for me. I've never had any drift issues at all.

Another person mentioned the roller guides. They are a bit touchy to set up. Once I figured out how to set them properly, they aren't noisy anymore.

Good Luck with your decision.

[Nick Abbott]

I am looking at the Grizzly http://grizzly.amazonwebstore.com/Gr...B0000DD0AC.htm



I don't think it can be beat for $395.00.