Grizzly G0531B

[Jim Chan]

Hello,

Does anyone here have the Grizzly G0531B 21" bandsaw? I'm thinking about buying one, but I'm wondering how it compares to the G0636X 17" ultimate saw (or the mm16/lt16).

Seems like it's a pretty good value, 21" throat, 14" resaw, 5hp, electric brake, ~680lbs. What's kind of weird to me is that the 17" ultimate is more expensive, despite being smaller.. Granted, it has a 16" resaw height, but I wonder if there are any other differences in quality?

Anyway, would be interested in hearing any thoughts about either saw from people who own them or have used them.

Thanks!

[Eiji Fuller]

That saw looks like a real winner to me. I am coveting one as well and would deffinately pick the G0531 over the 17" even with its 16" resaw. 14" is plenty and a 5hp bandsaw is going to really pack a punch compared to a 3hp especially when resawing dense woods over 6" wide.

I see the wider table and extra hp as more benefit than 2" more height.

I think a 3hp bandsaw would bog down pretty fast trying to resaw that much anyway.

[Eiji Fuller]

oh I see this was a thread almost a year old. I was searching on the G0531B and this is what came up.

I have an older 24" SCMI that could use a new motor, guides, and other TLC. I picked it up cheap last year but just dont have extra time to get it running perfectly.

[Jim Chan]

wasn't expecting to see this thread again. Both the 0531B and 636X have 5 hp motors, so I don't think power will be an issue for either of them.

In anycase, I ended up getting a minimax mm16. Found a great deal on a used one locally, and haven't looked back since! The original tires had a few cracks in it making for uneven cuts, so I replaced the tires (which are kind of expensive) and the lower thrust bearing, and it now runs great.

The one I got was a slightly older model, made in 2004 or 2006. It has 14.5" resaw and a 3.8hp motor. It's got plenty capacity for the uses I've had with it so far. Just sunday I milled a 14" wide alder cant into 2" thick planks. Using a 1.3 tpi lenox woodmaster ct blade, it cut like butter, no bog down whatsoever. I do wish it had a bigger table though!