[Jasnshell]

I am in the market for a new 14" band saw. I have been using a very cheap Ryobi with a bolt on fence for several years. Now I have a few bucks and want to upgrade. I would like to stay below $1,000. Any strong opinions out there? Has anyone had a great experience with a new saw in this class lately?

Thanks for the insight.
Jason

 

[info]

Grizzly

 

[toolguy1000]

I am in the market for a new 14" band saw. I have been using a very cheap Ryobi with a bolt on fence for several years. Now I have a few bucks and want to upgrade. I would like to stay below $1,000. Any strong opinions out there? Has anyone had a great experience with a new saw in this class lately?

Thanks for the insight.
Jason

best bang for the buck when it's on sale ($799 last christmas). top flight company and the 10-325 is a top flight tool:

http://rikontools.com/productpage_10-325.htm

grizzly also has a few good saws that their "sale" saves a few dollars on. this is a pretty impressive unit (but i believe it has cast aluminum, not CI , wheels). a lot of saw for < $900 delivered:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-2-HP-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0513ANV

now, if you're into seriously overpaying for decidedly average tools that are trading on their past reputations, jet and powermatic are the tools to look at.

there's always CL, if pre-owned is what is preferred. FTR, my 10-340 (18" rikon) is a beast when compared to the 18" jet (jwbs-18) it replaced.

 

[gus1962]

Grizzly, Powermatic or Laguna. These saws have good blade guide system.

 

[Jasnshell]

best bang for the buck when it's on sale ($799 last christmas). top flight company and the 10-325 is a top flight tool:

http://rikontools.com/productpage_10-325.htm

grizzly also has a few good saws that their "sale" saves a few dollars on. this is a pretty impressive unit (but i believe it has cast aluminum, not CI , wheels). a lot of saw for < $900 delivered:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/17-2-HP-Bandsaw-Anniversary-Edition/G0513ANV

now, if you're into seriously overpaying for decidedly average tools that are trading on their past reputations, jet and powermatic are the tools to look at.

there's always CL, if pre-owned is what is preferred. FTR, my 10-340 (18" rikon) is a beast when compared to the 18" jet (jwbs-18) it replaced.

I looked at this Rikon today at a Woodcraft store. Very impressive indeed. It's on sale for $850 for the next month. I am going to look a little more but I think it's going to be hard to get one that can resaw a 12" board for less than a thousand.

 

[toolguy1000]

I looked at this Rikon today at a Woodcraft store. Very impressive indeed. It's on sale for $850 for the next month. I am going to look a little more but I think it's going to be hard to get one that can resaw a 12" board for less than a thousand.

you're right. the 130325 will resaw >13". and the griz i linked above will also resaw 12". laguna and powermatic are just not worth what they cost, IMHO.

 

[bward1941]

Walker Turner

I am in the market for a new 14" band saw. I have been using a very cheap Ryobi with a bolt on fence for several years. Now I have a few bucks and want to upgrade. I would like to stay below $1,000. Any strong opinions out there? Has anyone had a great experience with a new saw in this class lately?

Thanks for the insight.
Jason

I just bought a 1940s Walker Turner 14" for $300 and expect to spend another $150 on restoration. Once tuned up there hard to beat.

 

[4DThinker]

Highland Woodworking has the Rikon 10-325 on sale for $799.99 right now.

Link: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/rikon-14-deluxe-bandsaw.aspx

I'm nearly tempted to order one myself.