Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kev K. on July 19, 2007, 01:06:56 am

Title: Band Saw
Post by: Kev K. on July 19, 2007, 01:06:56 am

Hi I am planning on buying my first band saw soon and I was wandering what the best size saw is for building bows. ;D

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Pat B on July 19, 2007, 01:11:16 am

14", 1hp motor and the name Grizzly!  Can't go wrong. ;)  Just .com that and see what they have to offer.        Pat

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Kev K. on July 19, 2007, 01:12:06 am

Thanks Pat :D

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Justin Snyder on July 19, 2007, 02:01:41 am

Well Pat is close.  14" for sure, but go with the ShopFox.  ;) It has bearings not cool blocks. Good price too.  Justin

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Marc St Louis on July 19, 2007, 09:02:07 am

My 12" delta has been good to me

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: DanaM on July 19, 2007, 10:26:44 am

I also have the shopfox, about $500 and came with a fence and miter and the roller bearings as Justin said. Good saw for the money!

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Pappy on July 19, 2007, 11:19:05 am

I like my 15 in. Sears but I think more than throat depth is the blade length I have one with a
90 in. blade and the bigger one is 111.That give the blade time to cool on big stuff.It really
depends on what you plan to do with it.I cut a lot of big stuff if you plan to do that with it buy the best and biggest you can afford. :)
   Pappy

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: mullet on July 19, 2007, 06:15:43 pm

  I just got a Rigiid 14",and it works for me.

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Justin Snyder on July 19, 2007, 11:06:42 pm

OK,  I think you are good with most brands.  I think that 14" is the absolute minimum though.  Justin

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: duffontap on July 20, 2007, 12:39:54 am

I thought those 12" Deltas that Costco was selling would be great if you kept very sharp blades on them.  I do almost everything on an 11" Shopsmith bandsaw and it works fine with sharp blades and poorly with dull ones.  Grizzly makes a great 14" bandsaw that I think comes in under $390 that has bearings.  I've used it a lot at a friend's shop.  My maintenance shop at work has a 18" Rikon with a 2 hp. motor that's great but totally over-kill for anything I do on bows.  I would go with Justin and others that say 14" is the way to go if you can afford it.  If I had my choice it would probably be a 14 Powermatic--but I clearly don't have a choice.

         J. D.

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Pat B on July 20, 2007, 01:16:02 am

And be sure it has a 1hp motor(at least) and not a motor that will produce 1hp. There is a diffeaence.   Pat

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Hillbilly on July 20, 2007, 08:49:01 pm

Pappy, I noticed that you had one under the shed identical to mine. The ancient Craftsman bandsaw/sander, I think it's 14-15" an d 1/2 horsepower. I bought mine very used for 50 bucks, and I've cut a ton of wood with it. Even wades through osage splits.

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Skeaterbait on July 21, 2007, 03:47:51 am

I can't complain about my 12" Craftsman.

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: jamie on July 21, 2007, 05:34:05 am

justin id love to hear why you would take bearings over blocks.

Title: Re: Band Saw
Post by: Justin Snyder on July 21, 2007, 11:53:56 am

Quote from: jamie on July 21, 2007, 05:34:05 am

justin id love to hear why you would take bearings over blocks.

Many of the lower priced saws have plastic blocks.  All of the blocks wear, except the steel ones, but the plastic ones will wear real fast.  I had to replace the blocks within a couple of months. I had nothing but problems until I purchased the carbon fiber blocks. With the bearings you also don't have to keep adjusting the guides to match the blade.  The bearings also do not rub on the blade and add heat, so the blades last longer.  Justin