[gypsy]

I am going to buy a benchtop bandsaw as I don't have room for a 12"-14" model.
What do you reccomend? I have seen a Task Force at Lowes but I don't know anything about it.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

A full sized bandsaw really doesn't take up that much more room than a bench version but believe me it won't be long after you buy the smaller one that you will wish you would have gone for the bigger version. Here's the one I've been using for the last 35 years.
CRAFTSMAN 12" BAND SAW SANDER - eBay (item 330229173397 end time Apr-24-08 18:29:39 PDT)

[BrandantR]

A little over a year ago I bought a bench top Delta bandsaw, one that was on sale for less than $100. Now don't get me wrong, the saw does its job alright, but within a month or two after purchasing it I found that I wanted to carve something on the larger scale but found that the shallow cutting depth of the saw wouldn't allow me to cut out the blank. Hence, I've been limited to smaller carvings as the actual cutting depth is around 3 1/2". But I suppose if one planned to only cut out small pieces, the bench top isn't a bad way to go. Then again, I planned on carving only small pieces in the begining too . But if you are like me and money doesn't grow on trees, the $100 bench top will get me by until I save up enough to get the big Rigid that I've had my eye on.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Right on Brandant. I didn't mean to iconvey that the smaller saws wouldn't work for you. If thats all you have room for or what you can afford at the moment then that's the one you want.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

If you look around, some of the larger saws can be unbolted from their base and then bolted to a bench. Buy a small one and be forever sorry. Trust me. Been there done that. Bigger is better. Preferably way bigger.

[Ed Redwine]

I'm with the rest of the guys. My first band saw was a bench top model and I couldn't keep enough blades for it. Broke them right and left. I finally gave in and purchased a Delta 14 in. with the stand. It is the best investment made in the tool area and I use it constantly. Do yourself a favor and find room for a real saw!

Ed

[Iowa Carver]

Definitely get the 10 inch Craftsman or the Rikon 10 inch bandsaw. The Rikon version has an aluminum table though. They are made by the same company (parent company of Rikon) and they are good little bandsaws. They don't compare even to any of the other benchtops out there and frankly some of the 14inchers out there. It's a bargain. I know several fulll time wood workers from other sites who have this 10 inch along side there full size european saws. Some box makers that use it to resaw with. I have the 12 inch version of the saw and it's a great saw. If you just need it to cut out carving blanks it will do it well and more.

Corey

[Dan S]

Try checking Craigslist or your local swapmeet for a band-saw. The 14" Delta is the way to go if you can find any way to swing it. There are good deals to be had if you are patient. Delta and Jet make a 14" benchtop saw. You can also buy a rolling base for a stand-mounted bandsaw that may solve your space problem. They aren't reccomended for really large saws however.
As far as the smaller benchtop saws I find them for under 30.00 on a regular basis. The smaller wheels tend to flex your blades more and thus wear them out faster. The models with three wheels are also very difficult to allign properly and the blades tend to track poorly. Pick up a copy of "The New Complete Guide to the Band Saw" by Mark Duginske. He has some really good tips on purchasing a new or used saw.
Dan

[Bonnot]

Many years ago I bought a 10" Craftsman and it did a fine job but It was not my favorite tool. It was hard to change blades and was not the precision tool that I would have liked. Last year after reading many reviews, I purchased a Grizzly G0555 14" saw and there is all the difference in the world. It cuts clean, square, has plenty of power, has a good dust pick up system and is a breeze to change blades. It cost more but to me it is worth it.

[falconer]

I use a Jet 14" with a 6 inch rizerblock that way I can cut out up lifesize golden eagles or a lifesize swan. I have used up to a 3/4in blade on it. I've had it for about 15 years and never had a problem. As Lynn said I think if you get a bench top now, you'll be wanting a full size saw before long.

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