Today I sold my 14' Jet bandsaw and have been planning to replace it with a 17" Grizzly. At first I was looking at the Anniversary edition but quickly decided the X2 with the better fence, better guides, cast iron wheels and larger table, made it worth the extra $$$. Now I'm questioning if I need the foot brake version X2F. Does anyone regret buying the X2 due to the long time it takes for it to stop after hitting the off button? Opinions appreciated ... this will be a major purchase for me. Next will be the 690 once I sell my Supersaw.

If I'm not mistaken, a foot brake is mostly for production shops where seconds count. A handheld tool like a sander or angle grinder, it can be annoying waiting but a bandsaw I don't see the point for a hobbyist.

I thought I was going to set up a mill room, bought a 20" planer, a 8" jointer, 2 shapers, and a 19" Motor brake bandsaw all from Grizzly. That bandsaw was very impressive! It stopped on a dime. That is a safety feature, not some kooky idea by an engineer. The sooner the blade stops, the less chance you will accidentally stick your fingers or a workpiece into the running blade. My other 18" Min Max with cast iron wheels takes a while to coast down, but I'm always careful around it. :smile3:

I vote for the foot brake......

We have their 24" bandsaw at work so I'm very used to the blade brake. Once you get those big cast iron wheels spinning they keep on going. While I would love top have the motor brake I had to draw the line somewhere. Placed my order yesterday for the GO513X2F but they where having issues. When I got the email confirmation I had actually ordered 7! Got it straightened out today though. Now I just wish I had gone for the lift gate service.