Looking to buy a bandsaw, any recommendations? I'm willing to go up to 700...

[toomanyknots]

My bandsaw is not doing it for me lately, and I am in the market for a good dependable bandsaw. I have searched the nethers of craigslist in my area, to no avail. Although I would rather buy it new and get a manual/warranty anyway. What I need it to do most importantly is resaw laminates and backings, etc. So at the most I only need it to be able to resaw about 2", and be able to rip a 80" piece of hickory/osage/ ipe into backings and laminates without taking a year. I am considering a grizzly from amazon, as they seem to be priced good. I was wondering what the most horsepower I should shoot for? Anybody got any recommedations?   

[Joec123able]

You can them a lot cheaper then 700 !

[osage outlaw]

[Pat B]

I don't think you can go wrong with Grizzly! I bought mine many years ago and it is still going strong after many many bow staves.

[kinslayer1965]

Wow! I went to the grizzly.com website and was drooling all over myself. They had some very reasonable prices on some nice tools.

[blackhawk]

A 14" craftsman....basically same saw as a grizzly for half the price. I've had zero issues with mine zipping thru meaty osage staves and cutting lams....the boys at twin oaks use em too.

[Prarie Bowyer]

I have the big JET withe riser block and like it.
105" blade.  I use a 4tp skip tooth resawing blade. 1/2" wide.  Tends to lase a year or so cutting Ipe and Hickory and bamboo.

[rps3]

They have a shop fox 1706 at a tool shop by me ,14", 1 hp, cast iron wheels, enclosed cabinet, for 499, brand new. Good reviews. I think I will get one if I can get it past my wife.

[Pat B]

I would recommend at least a 14" and 1hp.

[PEARL DRUMS]

I would recommend at least a 14" and 1hp.

Couldnt agree more, and you will still make her "work" with certain staves.

[toomanyknots]

They have a shop fox 1706 at a tool shop by me ,14", 1 hp, cast iron wheels, enclosed cabinet, for 499, brand new. Good reviews. I think I will get one if I can get it past my wife.

Haha. Outlaw, I have not seen that 30th anniversary grizzly, looks nice. Good price too! Might just go that route! Blackhawk, I will check the local sears out to see if they have any close to me, thanks for the heads up. So, would 1 hp do the job? Would it do the job quickly, or will it still take a minute to resaw a 7 foot long 1 1/2" tall piece of hickory?

[toomanyknots]

I would recommend at least a 14" and 1hp.

Couldnt agree more, and you will still make her "work" with certain staves.

With a 14" with bandsaw with a 1 hp motor, will resawing a 7 foot long 1 1/2" to 2" high piece of hickory/ipe/osage go slow? With a brand new wood slicer blade on my 10", it is decent when the blade is brand new, but soon starts to become snail slow to eventually impossible once the blade starts to get dull,... which seems to be very soon with these blades. I am looking for something that will resaw it pretty quick.

[PEARL DRUMS]

Re-sawing boards is easy. Its those 4 x 4 osage staves that bog it down here and there. I have a 14" Grizzly and beat the heck out of it, it loves nasty treatment.

[toomanyknots]

Re-sawing boards is easy. Its those 4 x 4 osage staves that bog it down here and there. I have a 14" Grizzly and beat the heck out of it, it loves nasty treatment.

Music to my ears.  What horse power ya got?

[Pat B]

I think the 14" Grizzly takes up to a 3/4" blade. If you plan to do a bunch of resawing you might go a bit bigger so you can use a resaw blade.
  My 14" x 1hp does all I need it to do.