Bandsaw for my needs

[Scrolling along with Susan]

Hi all,

I am searching for a band saw to fit my needs.  I want to make 17 to 22 inch rounds out of hard woods and baltic birch plywood.  Right now I have been using a router with a home made jig.  I have been told by many people I really need a band saw.  My head spins when I look at all the varieties out there.  My dad who is no longer with us had a Delta 10 inch 3 wheeled band saw.  I have tried to get it into good working condition but it has failed me.  It's very difficult getting parts.  I don't want a beginner one but want one that I will grow into and not have to replace for many many years to come.  I'm looking at a Grizzly 14 inch g0555.  Any suggestions around a $600.00 price range? I would also like to resaw in the future.  Thanks.  

[Sycamore67]

Three wheel band saws have lots of issues.  Jet, Rikon and Grizzly all make a 14" bandsaw close to your price range.  Personally, I would not get a Grizzly as there are issues at times with the shipping.

I would get one at some place like Woodcraft who can help answer questions. 

Resawing is great but takes practice and careful set up plus the right blade.

Personally, I have two band saws but still prefer making circles with a router and jig.  The circles are much better than with a bandsaw.

[Lucky2]

Susan, even if you buy a bandsaw, you'll still probably have to use a router to tidy up the edges of the circles. If not a router, then a spindle sander or some other sort of sander. I know of no one who can cut a perfect circle on a bandsaw, many have tried none have succeeded. There's always a bit of touch-up work to be done to the edges.

Len

[Jim Finn]

I have the Grizzly GO555 band saw and recommend it.  I bought it for re-sawing, in 2008, so I bought the riser and re-saw fence for it.  I agree though,  a router would do a pretty good job of cutting circles.

Edited August 5, 2017 by Jim Finn

[amazingkevin]

looks like your best answer is the router but if the wood is thicker than 1" you'll need a half inch shaft router.

[Woodmaster1]

Grizzly bandsaws are ok. I have a Rikon 14" I love. No matter which bandsaw you get I recommend making or buying a circle cutting jig because they make great circles.

[Phantom Scroller]

I have this one and love it. Roly

https://www.charnwood.net/products/product/p14-woodworking-bandsaw-w730/category_pathway-152

[Scrappile]

I have the Grizzly G0555X and have no complaints.  Whatever you buy in the 14 inch range be sure to get the riser block at the same time or you will be like me, I have several 93" blades that are no longer of use to me.  I had to buy all new blades when I add a riser.... Duh!  I do not use the bandsaw much.  Not enough. It takes some adjusting, experimenting, practice and know how to resaw.  I thought I'd so a lot, but I haven't.  I have, in the past been able to cut nice circles, using homemade jigs.  There are lots of easy ones to make, check Youtube.

[Scrolling along with Susan]

Thank you all so much for the suggestions.  It sounds like for a while I need to take more time using my router and perfecting the circles. .  I have a 2 hp Craftsman plunge router  and it seems to work o.k. I was just told by a Luthier that  it's time for me to step into the bandsaw upgrade.  

[oldhudson]

If you've been using a router and jig, which works - you could try using a jig saw and a similar jig and you probably have one in the shop. If you want to go the bandsaw route you could consider a used ShopSmith. Their bandsaws are quite good. I use mine with a shop jig for larger rounds. 

[Scrolling along with Susan]

i was actually thinking of trying the circles with my jigsaw.  the jig seems fairly easy to set up too.

 

[oldhudson]

As with any saw, it's the blades that do the cutting, so get good ones. I used to use Vermont American, but haven't seen them for a long time and have good luck with Bosch blades on my jigsaw.