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General Category => General Scroll Saw Talk => Topic started by: Crabbyboater on April 02, 2012, 02:30:28 pm
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I've been considering buying a band saw for my shop and selling my old Grizzly table saw to make room for it. Hardly ever use the table saw anyway. Thought I'd use a band saw for cutting thicker wood toys, some resawing, etc. It would have to work on 120 Volts. But I have never used a band saw and really don't know what to look for. What size, brand, options etc. Suggestions? Recommendations? Or am I nuts for thinking about this?
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Hey Crabby, The band saw on my wish list is the Rikon 14" Deluxe. It has some nice features, but what I really like is it has a 13" resaw capacity. Go over to www.woodcraft.com and check it out.
The Woodcraft store that I teach at has one in the shop. I have used it many times, and would recommend it!
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I've had a Delta 14" 1 HP Bandsaw for about 16 years, with a 6" riser block installed. The riser block gives me about 1' re-saw capacity, which I've only needed a few times, but I'm glad I had it when it was needed. The saw has never given me any problems and the original tires on it are like new. I would highly recommend it, but I would never trade it for my table saw.
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I purchased the Rikon 14" Deluxe from Woodcraft last fall. I did my research beforehand and found it had rave reviews. As Dan mentioned, it runs very smooth and is very functional. It has been an awesome addition to my shop and I have never regretted the purchase.
Louis
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I use a band-saw with a 6" cut and 14" clearance but I would not do without my bench saw, I have that tucked away as it is not used that often, a band saw is not that accurate at cutting as a bench saw and the blades are not cheap
Jimbo
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If I could afford it the Ricon Deluxe 14 is the one I have been wanting for over 4 yrs now. It has gotten great reviews from all working magazines.
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Misspelled Rikon
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Look around on Cragislist. You can often find used bandsaws in great condition. I bought a Jet from Craigslist, then upgraded it with the riser (12 inch capacity for thickness now), and the Carter guides and stabilizer. The bandsaw is one of my favorite tools, but my Unisaw gets used more than all the other saws in my shop hands down.
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I have a Grizzly GO555 band saw with a riser block . I use it mostly for re-sawing and have often re-sawn 12" boards with it. I use wood slicer blades from Highland and they work well. I buy 1 1/8" cedar and re-saw it to 3/8" to make boxes with.
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I didn't realize I needed to change the "tire" on my band saw. I had it for many.many years. I am having trouble with it tracking right and a 1/8th inch blade won't stay on at all. Is the problem with the tire?
If so how do I remove the old black one so I can install the blue urathane from wood craft. Will the 14 inch tire fit any 14 inch saw?
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Yes Judy, It could be the tires. When you get your new tires they will come with directions.
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Judy you can adjust the tracking of the blade from the back of the saw it tilts the drive wheels, different size blades track differently as a rule, I use the same size so don't have to adjust the tracking
Jimbo
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I have a grizzly 14 inch xtream with the riser block and wood not trade it for any thing they have alot of differnt saws to pick from take a look at them they are priced great
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I have a cute little delta 9 inch bandsaw. Actually I have one in my home shop and 3 at my middle school (I bought mine after seeing the punishment the schools go through and still run great)
I do wish I could resaw more then a few inches.
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Ok now for the really dumb question of the day. Are the teeth of tghe blade supposed to run on the tire or just off the edge? do I need new tires for both the upper and lower wheels? I am using 1/4 blade 10 tpi.
A very OLD saw 14 inch throat.
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Judy, If I were replacing my tires I would replace both at the same time. When you adjust the angle of the top wheel to achieve the tracking of the blade on the tire, you want the blade centered on the tire. Where the blade sits in relation to the crown on the wheel can affect how much drift you get when cutting. If you need it I think I can mail you a cd with a video on setting up a bandsaw.
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All this time I thought I knew how to use my band saw...........wrong! If at all possible, and not to much trouble, I would like to see the cd on the bandsaw. I am never too old (surprising as that might seem) to learn.
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I run the whole blade on the tire, just make sure the blade is not rubbing against the back bearing top and bottom, also the blade guides they should be 2 sheets of paper away from the blade top and bottom as well, if you use the same size blade all the time the settings don.t change,
Jimbo
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My thanks to all of you for your responses re a band saw. It appears that a 14" saw with a riser block is the was to go. Have to confess the cost will be a bit higher than I hoped, but do know you get what you pay for, and I have strong feelings about that. I'll continue watching the local Craigslist, but most of what I see are the smaller, and generally more inferior saws. But that's probably why they're for sale!
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Ok.....?? what is a riser block? what is the purpose of it? I want to start doing some bandsaw boxes but guess I better study up a bit. Thanks Cousin :D
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Hey Judy, Most 14" band saws have a resaw capacity of about 6" or so. Most of the manufactures sell a "riser block" specifically for their saw. It raises the top part of the saw so you have a resaw capacity of about 12". This also means that you need to get longer blades to work with the saw.
You can only get riser blocks for specific saws.
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Thanks Dan for the info on what is a riser block. Kind of understand it, but if using a table bench band saw (delta 9") which only has a length upwards of maybe 4" and I do the riser block thing there will be way to much blade with no good support for a straight cut top and bottom???? Are all you that know a lot using the HUGE type of band saws? I'm just chiming in as I have a question....
Bought NEW tires and yepper was a struggle getting them on, but Yea finally they are on.... Old and New tires do the same thing. TRACKING.... In order to keep the blade spinning good I have to set the TOP blade on the tire at the REAR of the tire and the bottom TIRE to the front. So whats wore out? LOL
Danny :+}
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Danny,
I do believe that the riser blocks are available only on the larger bandsaws as the smaller bandsaws would be under powered to resaw anything over whatever the height capacity is of the saw.
As to the blade running on the front of one tire and the rear of the other, it sounds like the tire wheels are not aligned with on another (not coplaner). If you can get the blade to run consistent and track correctly the way it is, ( without the blade sliding off the wheel) you can shim one of the wheels to line them up.
I have a Grizzly G0555. The manual that came with it explains how to do it and check it. You may wish to download the manual for one of the Grizzly saws, as after the instructions for saw assembly and setup, it has a lot of good tips and troubleshooting for bandsaws in general.
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Thanks Taz.... Think I will try and remove one of the wheels and just see if I can shim it. Just Love this forum. Everyone is so helpful.... Danny :+}