[xsailer]

Whatever bandsaw you get be sure to get the proper blade for cutting thicker wood. I use a 4 or 6 tooth to the inch and it's like cutting butter. I forget how to call it out proper but I'm sure someone on the forum can help with the terminolgy.

I've had a couple of different size and types of bandsaws and when I finally settled on that works it was a 14" Delta. I was never happy with the blade tracking on smaller units. The previous suggestions are good, just get a good one, you'll not be sorry.

[Robert Cahill]

I have an old skill scroll saw that I can cut up to 2'' with and it and it works well for that size. I also have a 9" delta band saw that I can cut about 3 1/2' with but only straight cuts. I do excel in hindsight so if I were to do it over I would have saved the money I spent on the band saw and purchased a good used band saw at a yard sale or something . A friend picked up a 14" inch for less than I spent with extra blades and accessories that way.

[watercarving]

I have a 10 inch Delta that I've used for years but as projects grew the wood grew thicker and it's just ok now. It is great to start with but I didn't like doing wood over 4" thick with it.

I started with a scroll saw and it was no good except for super thin pieces.

[James A]

I don't have a band saw, so I can't say anything about them, but my grandfather had one and never liked it. I don't know what brand or size it was, but he complain that is was always throughing the blade off or the blades would brake when they were new. This is one of the reasons that my parents don't think I should get one yet. Has anyone else had a problem like this? I have been thinking on saving my money to get one, but I would like to find one that doesn't have the same problem as my grandpa's did. In regards to using a scroll saw, I am using one for now that works great. It is a craftsman with a 16 in. depth and a 2 in. cutting width.

[AlArchie]

James, bandsaws are a lot like other tools; there are good ones and not so good ones. They are different in temperament than table saws and scroll saws. Then there are good blades and bad blades.

Bandsaws tend to wander a bit so take some getting used to.

A really good blade on a well tuned bandsaw will wander less, but you still have to make sure the tension is set and watch the kerf.

You have to make sure both the upper and lower guides are set properly for each blade width, and unless you have a saw with roller guides, you will havet to replace the guide bars fairly regularly.

A good bet would be to get to a store that handles a brand before you buy and go through the setup and adjustments with a quallified clerk. Some of these things are a bear to get at while others are quitye easy. Look for the + and-'s of several brands and get recommendations from other users.

Al

[mark yundt]

Could have been a number of things..the wheels out of true,,the rubber on the wheels shot,,the springs loosing tension,,cheap blades,,guides not set correctly. Once they're set up properly they generally run just fine. Very few if any problems. Even when a blade does snap very little happens. Scares you a bit,,but the blade is usually so enclosed not much happens.I would rather use a bandsaw than many other tools.

[squbrigg]

A "good" bandsaw is a joy to use. You have to be prepared to spend quite a bit for a quality saw though. In bandsaws, the old adage of : "You only get what you pay for." is very true.

Bob

[Kenny_S]

For years I used old wornout craftman and then bought a Delta 10 inch bandsaw, what helped onn the 10 inch Delta the most was a new Wolf Blade. Now I have a Grizzly ultimate 14 inch and would rate it with any other bandsaw and the price was less than $400. However, I bought Wolf brand blades and I am more satisfied with it.

Bob is correct, you get what you pay for.

[James A]

So what brands would yall suggest for a new person to get that is just starting out. I have heard a lot of the Grizzlys, but what other brands are out there that are good. Also, what size would you suggest if someone is looking to spend the money on one to last a while.

[TommyPhillips]

A bandsaw is a great tool for doing a lot more than just rouging out carvings. I have the 14-inch Grizzly Ultimate (http://www.grizzly.com/products/The-...-Bandsaw/G0555) and I am very happy with it.

So happy, in fact, that I'm not upset that they dropped the price since I bought mine a couple of years ago. Seriously. I got a good deal on a good tool, and if you buy one today you get an even better deal.

If you can work it into the budget, I do recommend getting the riser block when you order the saw. It increases your height capacity to a foot, instead of half that. If you get it with the saw and set it up immediately, you won't buy any of the shorter blades (93 vs 105 inches), and you won't be tempted to delay installing the riser block until you wear out the shorter blades. That's a losing game.

Properly tuning and setting up the saw is important. It's not especially difficult to do, but the first time you probably need to have the manual or an aftermarket book with you, looking at the saw and the instructions together.

I would also emphasize, as have others, that a good blade makes a big difference. I'm partial to Timber Wolf, but opinions vary.

-Tommy