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Message
I want a bench top woodworking band saw
Posted on 1/21/20 at 9:57 am
Posted on 1/21/20 at 9:57 am
I've been wanting to get a small benchtop band saw. I'd say about say about 60% of the cutting will be soft woods with about 10% hard woods and 30% non-ferrous metals (small aluminum L's, C's, and channels). Locally the options are:
Porter Cable (Lowes) $169 + Tax
Ryobi (H.Depot) $169 + Tax
Harbor Freight $139 + Tax (20% coupon now excludes central machinery)
Wen (Amazon) $139 after shipping at tax.
All seem to sport a 2.5 amp motor 9" throat and 3.5" max work height. The 3 local options use 62" blades while the Wen uses a 59 1/2". Any concerns there? The Wen also comes with a rip fence (of unknown quality) while all the others dont. I imagine all of these fall into the same cheap chinese quaility. I was fine spending up to $200 but it seems like you have the $140-170 models then they jump up to $300. Any thoughts/advice?
Porter Cable (Lowes) $169 + Tax
Ryobi (H.Depot) $169 + Tax
Harbor Freight $139 + Tax (20% coupon now excludes central machinery)
Wen (Amazon) $139 after shipping at tax.
All seem to sport a 2.5 amp motor 9" throat and 3.5" max work height. The 3 local options use 62" blades while the Wen uses a 59 1/2". Any concerns there? The Wen also comes with a rip fence (of unknown quality) while all the others dont. I imagine all of these fall into the same cheap chinese quaility. I was fine spending up to $200 but it seems like you have the $140-170 models then they jump up to $300. Any thoughts/advice?
6
Posted on 1/21/20 at 10:13 am to DeoreDX
Porter and Wen are the same machine pretty much. HF, I don't know about. Ryobi would be the best selection of those.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 10:39 am to DeoreDX
I've been looking for the same but I'm looking for a good, older Delta or Craftsman. Same for a radial arm saw, have a lead on an old DeWalt.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 11:07 am to Bedhog
quote:
Ryobi would be the best selection of those.
Direct Tools has the Ryobi Certified Pre Owned for just $74.99 + Tax shipped today. Might be a hard bargain to pass up.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 11:17 am to Clames
How old are u trying to find?
Posted on 1/21/20 at 11:22 am to Skeeterzx190
Mid-70's era and earlier as far as the radial arm saw. Maybe early 80's for the band saw.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 12:46 pm to DeoreDX
Grizzly makes a nice one that reviews well. If you can find them. Believe they are about $199.
I also believe it is hard to find as they are tweaking that model.
But again, the reviews are good.
I also believe it is hard to find as they are tweaking that model.
But again, the reviews are good.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 12:56 pm to LSU alum wannabe
Grizzly G0803Z. $275
This one has all of the extras; light and dust blower. If you don’t want those you can get the same machine minus those for $199.
I have this unit and put it to work daily without issues.
This one has all of the extras; light and dust blower. If you don’t want those you can get the same machine minus those for $199.
I have this unit and put it to work daily without issues.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 1:03 pm to TIGERBAIT84
quote:
Grizzly G0803Z. $275
This one has all of the extras; light and dust blower. If you don’t want those you can get the same machine minus those for $199.
Sounds like the $199 model below is what I'm looking for. All I saw with the Grizzly was the $300 model with all the stuff I don't want/need (Laser, lights, etc).
Posted on 1/21/20 at 1:51 pm to Clames
quote:
radial arm saw,
Use to see these on craigslist for next to nothing a few years ago. Wish I had bought one then as now they are harder to find and people realizing they are worth more.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 2:09 pm to GoldenSombrero
Some are worth more, from about the late 70's they are pretty much worthless. Basically the early DeWalts are the best, industrial-grade machines built for cross cutting, which is all such a saw is to be used for.
Posted on 1/21/20 at 9:47 pm to DeoreDX
I have the ryobi one and it does what I need if to do so far
Posted on 1/23/20 at 9:32 am to Clames
quote:+
Same for a radial arm saw
Radial arm saws are pretty much extinct. i think Sears recalled all of their saws many years ago. They tend to pull themselves into the work and across your hands. paying attention and using the right blade helps alleviate that problem.
The reason i gave mine away and bought a miter saw is that the RAS was nearly impossible to set and keep the blade square. also, they have a big footprint and are not as mobile is the new miter saws. you can get a sliding miter saw that will do almost anything a RAS can do, and better. the one thing i recall doing with my RAS that i can't do with a miter saw is dados. the adjustable depth of cut of a RAS is nice
Posted on 1/24/20 at 9:43 am to DeoreDX
If you'd be using it often, don't go with the HF model.
I got a belt sander and a scroll saw from there (thinking I nailed a 25% discount on each...I got denied
) and they are great for occasional work, but if you're going to be using it for several projects, go with a better brand like PC.
I got a belt sander and a scroll saw from there (thinking I nailed a 25% discount on each...I got denied
) and they are great for occasional work, but if you're going to be using it for several projects, go with a better brand like PC.Posted on 1/24/20 at 2:40 pm to piratedude
quote:
i think Sears recalled all of their saws many years ago
Not a recall but they were mandated to send out parts to fix something. Those late maodel saws are undesirable though. Old saws are built heavier and can bet seup perfectly square for crosscutting and even ripping. The inherent dangers in them are no worse that miter or table saws, any of them can eject a work piece or take off fingers. My plan is put one on a mobile tool cart and the dado ability is something I'd like.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 5:36 pm to Clames
quote:
Those late maodel saws are undesirable though. Old saws are built heavier and can bet seup perfectly square f
If you find a craftsman with curves and Art Deco looking and it runs, you’ve got a good one.
Posted on 1/24/20 at 6:13 pm to LSU alum wannabe
That's why I'm working on getting an early 50's DeWalt. Love to get a War production model but they are extremely hard to find in the size I'm looking for.
Posted on 1/25/20 at 10:35 am to DeoreDX
I have a Grizzly 14” floor model with a riser in it.
It’s probably the most used tool I own. It’s probably 12 years old and going strong.
It’s probably the most used tool I own. It’s probably 12 years old and going strong.
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