bandsaw

[mox1968]

im looking for a bandsaw that wont cost the earth but will re saw laminations backings etc, will cut out stave outlines and generally be powerfull enough for bow making.I bought a small hobby type of bandsaw a few months back but it just doesnt cut the mustard so any recommendations guys??im based in the republic of ireland so looking for something that wont cost a fortune to get mailed too.

[half eye]

Hey Mox,
       Cant help you on the saw model question.......but in the meantime you may want to try changing your blade. I use my bandsaw.....a lot. My favorite blades for working down bow stock is either 1/2" 3 hook, or 3/4" 3 hook. This tooth configuration cuts every type of hardwood that I use very well and doesn't require a lot of power to do it either.

Hope that might help you out in the short term.
Rich

[Jesse]

check out Grizzly tools I have the 1 1/2 hp and it comes with a nice 6" resaw fence. Plenty of power as well. Not sure on shipping to Ireland though Its about $70 to ship it in the U.S.

[ken75]

i have a 9 1/2 ryobi and was ready to trash it untill i got a 3/8 th blade 6 tpi i think. it works fine now , you can bog it but if your careful it'll work!

[Pat B]

I have a 14", 1hp Grizzly and love it. I would suggest you check out Grizzly. They are a Korean import company so there may be a dealer in your neck of the woods. Grizzly sells many kinds of woodworking and metal working tools they have great tech support and a full inventory of accessories and replacement parts if needed.

[adb]

I have a Craftsman Pro 14" 1HP bandsaw, and it's great. No regrets. It cuts everything I put through it. I took me a while to get the proper blade, but once that was sorted out, no worries.

[Justin Snyder]

14" Shop Fox. It has all the upgrades that make a great saw without the upgraded price.

[DanaM]

14" Shop Fox. It has all the upgrades that make a great saw without the upgraded price.

Agreed

[Cooper]

I just decided to give myself a bandsaw as a present and ordered this one: Güde GBS 315 UG
Here in Germany is has the reputation as a very good compromise between price and quality.

But the shipping to ireland is something around 170,- €   

This one is very similar and has a very good reputation too: METABO BAS 317 PRECISION BANDSAW

And here a model from ireland (but I don't know it): Record Power BS300E Bandsaw

[mox1968]

thanks guys I think as a general rule if I look at at least 14" and at least 1hp should be what i need.i did try to change blade but still too small and flimsy on the one i have.

[Alpinbogen]

I have a 1 HP, 14" Grizzly as well.  I have it paired with a 4 or 5 tpi blade.  It's just fine for reduced staves, but inadequate for full log splits.  (Though I push its limits often.)  I'd really like something bigger for stave bows, and certainly wouldn't want anything less. There's nothing quite as exciting as being on the far end of a log, just out of reach of the off switch when the motor bogs to a stop.    

[vtclimber]

Hey, I have heard good things about both Metabo and Record Power in some British woodworking mags. Both should be good. RIKON also makes a hell of a good bandsaw. I have a 14" craftsman and a 14inch delta. I love both. Most of the time with bandsaws, whether benchtop or larger is that they just aren't tuned up well.....even a 9" tuned up will do 90% of what you need for making bows..

[Del the cat]

I got a nice one off E-bay 12" wheels Electra Bekum BAS 315. There were quite a few on there, I bid for a couple near me, once they'd gone the price seemed to come down as no one wants to travel miles or pay for postage. I stuck in a winning maximum bid of £170 with 30 seconds left on the auction and I got it at £130 I gave the bloke "20 to deliver it as he had a van 
I spent a bit of time and £10 cleaning/tuning it.
Del
PS.Just noticed, mine is the same as Coopers, a few posts up, the manufacturer changed name a few times and was bought out by Metabo eventually. Spares are still available easy and cheap on the internet

[Lombard]

I have an older 12" Craftsman, that I thought was a dog, until someone in the know; told me about S.L. Fusco Bandsaw blades. Expensive, but worth the price.

[n2huntn]

14" grizzly  1 hp with Timberwolf blades, cut lots of ipe with no problems.Love it.
Jeff