band saw vs ?

kiwibarb · #1 12-31-2007, 07:17 PM

If you were going to spend the bucks would you buy a band saw or a skill saw or ?. Also what brand? Barbara

Donna_T · #2 12-31-2007, 10:28 PM

Barb,
Definitely a bandsaw. We have two bandsaws, a table saw, circle saw, chop saw, jig saw, and several others, but a band saw is what I use to make my cutouts for carving. I used a hand coping saw before we got our first bandsaw; it worked but it is tedious to do very intricate patterns.

Our first bandsaw was a Sears and the newest is a Grizzly.

Donna T

breakingwind · #3 01-12-2008, 03:27 PM

I am not a Craftsman fan but they have a new line of smaller tools out that seem to be built very well for the price. They make a bench top model that is nice. That would be a good place to start if you are making small carvings etc.

pallin · #4 01-12-2008, 04:28 PM

A bandsaw is definitely best for roughing out 3D figures. I have used my Craftsman for about 50 years. But for pierced carvings I use a coping saw or drill. Many of my carvings are relief designs that require building up the starting blank, so a table saw and joiner are used.

susieq · #5 01-12-2008, 05:04 PM

Barb, I second the bandsaw choice. You would be limited with any other tool, for cutting blanks. A bandsaw will cut anything you want. Don't rule out buying a second hand one. There are very few things to go wrong on one of these. Look for a good used one of a good brand name and get more quality for your $. My machine was in a cabinet shop before I got it. It is my second one.....an upgrade size and brand wise from my original Delta which was also second hand. Good luck in your choice.

breakingwind · #6 01-12-2008, 06:05 PM

Just had a Grean Bay football time out. LOL

I have a lot of used machinery. Just make sure the saw was used for wood and not other things. Check the berring on the wheels to make sure they are not plugged and there is no play in them. Look at the rubber tires on the wheels. If they are dry and cracked you will need to replace. If it is a 14 inch band saw the tires will cost around $45 for the pair. HF has them for a fraction of the price. I have not used them but a friend of mine who has a cabinet shop uses them and they work just fine. Everything on a band saw is easy to replace. Even the berrings. I have 3 wood and 2 metal band saws. Delta, Jet and Grizzley make good saws. I am not a Gizzley fan but I do own some of their machines. For wood working they are fine. Their metal lathe and mills are a dissapiontment. Their buffers are fantastic. You can get a 14 inch used bandsaw for the price of a bench top if you look long enough.

JimSawyer · #7 01-12-2008, 06:17 PM

I've been wanting a bandsaw for years. As it is now, I use my scrollsaw and laminate out to the right thickness.

wood-whittler · #8 01-12-2008, 06:28 PM

kiwibarb,

go with the bandsaw my bandsaw of choice is a 14" jet i have had it for about 8 years and had very little trouble with it, i had a 12" craftsman before that and wore it out so if you can afford it go ahead and save your self a lot of trouble and get a good one. jet, grizzly, and delta would be my choices in that order. the jet being first because i own one, but i have heard good things about the grizzly and would not hesitate buying one of those if i ever need a new one, hope this helps

bart

kiwibarb · #9 01-12-2008, 06:41 PM

thanks so much for all your replies. I guess bandsaw it is.
Now to save the pennies.

Eddy Smiles · #10 01-12-2008, 07:50 PM

Bandsaws are nice but it also depends on what size carvings and type of carvings you like to work on. Any wood less than 2-1/4" thick square does not necessarily need a band saw. I have two scroll saws which serve me very well and cost me less than 1/3 the price of a band saw.