Bandsaws: 14", or is bigger better?

The new 16" Jet works very well for me.
Dave

"Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
> "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
> my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
> idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
> specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
> to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>
> The ones I'm interested in:
>
> 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
> of $765
>
> 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
> $520
>
> 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>
> OR...
>
> A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>
> 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>
> 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>
> I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
> well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>
> Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
> from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>
> Thanks!

The problem is that no matter what size you buy (of any tool), you're
going to remember the one day it wasn't big enough much better than
the 364 times it was just fine.

On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 10:08:48 GMT, "markm"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Well, the 14" refers to the distance form the blade to the frame (horizontal
>capacity) which in my opinion is never enough but doesn't matter. I have a
>20" Delta and have never wished I had a 22". What is more important, at
>least to me, is the resaw capability and power. Some of the 14" saws have
>extensions that give them good resaw capatility, nearing 12". On the other
>hand my saw is 2hp 220V and I find it marginally acceptable for resaw on
>10-12" stock.
>
>I looked at the 18" Jet but thought it marginal, whimpy and not worth the
>money.
>
>mark
>
>"Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Hi guys,
>>
>> I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
>> "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
>> my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
>> idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
>> specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
>> to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>>
>> The ones I'm interested in:
>>
>> 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
>> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
>> of $765
>>
>> 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
>> $520
>>
>> 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>>
>> OR...
>>
>> A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>>
>> 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>>
>> 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>>
>> I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
>> well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>>
>> Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
>> from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>>
>> Thanks!
>

I'd second Bob's comment on the laguna. Also look at the 14tse (12" resaw
vs. 6 or 8, I can't remember, I'm sure their website lists it). If I had
the dough, that's the way I would have gone.

Mike

"Bob Davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The gist of recent posts on some of the ones you asked about:
>
> The Powermatic is a very sweet bandsaw that seems to have all the
> aftermarket tweaks built right in. I've heard nothing but good about it.
I
> think of all the cast iron body 14" it may be in the upper echelon.
>
> Forget the Jet 18". Its got the lowest resaw capacity of any 18" saw
> around. Even the Powermatic 14" can do more, with a good Timberwolf blade.
> One user recently posted that he had one and wish he had gotten something
> else.
>
> If you're looking at spending in the $1100 range, you have to consider the
> Laguna 14SE. It keeps up with the big boys within its physical size
> limitations.
>
> I hear MinMax has got a new 14' low cost model. You might watch out for
it.
>
> Bob
>
>
> "Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
> > "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
> > my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
> > idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
> > specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
> > to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
> >
> > The ones I'm interested in:
> >
> > 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> > Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
> > of $765
> >
> > 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
> > $520
> >
> > 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
> >
> > OR...
> >
> > A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
> >
> > 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
> >
> > 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
> >
> > I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
> > well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
> >
> > Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
> > from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
> >
> > Thanks!
>
>

Well, the 14" refers to the distance form the blade to the frame (horizontal
capacity) which in my opinion is never enough but doesn't matter. I have a
20" Delta and have never wished I had a 22". What is more important, at
least to me, is the resaw capability and power. Some of the 14" saws have
extensions that give them good resaw capatility, nearing 12". On the other
hand my saw is 2hp 220V and I find it marginally acceptable for resaw on
10-12" stock.

I looked at the 18" Jet but thought it marginal, whimpy and not worth the
money.

mark

"Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
> "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
> my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
> idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
> specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
> to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>
> The ones I'm interested in:
>
> 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
> of $765
>
> 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
> $520
>
> 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>
> OR...
>
> A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>
> 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>
> 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>
> I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
> well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>
> Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
> from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>
> Thanks!

The gist of recent posts on some of the ones you asked about:

The Powermatic is a very sweet bandsaw that seems to have all the
aftermarket tweaks built right in. I've heard nothing but good about it. I
think of all the cast iron body 14" it may be in the upper echelon.

Forget the Jet 18". Its got the lowest resaw capacity of any 18" saw
around. Even the Powermatic 14" can do more, with a good Timberwolf blade.
One user recently posted that he had one and wish he had gotten something
else.

If you're looking at spending in the $1100 range, you have to consider the
Laguna 14SE. It keeps up with the big boys within its physical size
limitations.

I hear MinMax has got a new 14' low cost model. You might watch out for it.

Bob


"Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
> "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
> my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
> idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
> specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
> to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>
> The ones I'm interested in:
>
> 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
> of $765
>
> 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
> $520
>
> 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>
> OR...
>
> A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>
> 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>
> 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>
> I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
> well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>
> Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
> from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>
> Thanks!

If you have room AND the money, get something bigger than 14in

Larger saw will have greater resaw capacity, usually be better built,
and will typically have a motor with more HP so it is more useful with
thick stock or resawing

John

On 10 Feb 2004 20:41:42 -0800, [email protected] (Tbone Dano) wrote:

>Hi guys,
>
>I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
>"which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
>my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
>idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
>specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
>to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>
>The ones I'm interested in:
>
>1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
>of $765
>
>2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
>$520
>
>3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>
>OR...
>
>A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>
>1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>
>2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>
>I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
>well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>
>Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
>from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>
>Thanks!

I would look at it like this, if space is not an issue you can do everything
with an 18" that you could do with a 14" but not Visa Versa. Being the proud
owner of a Jet 18" I would not recommend it to anyone. I had to weld on
angle iron column supports, put on poly tires and rewire it to 220 before it
was close to being acceptable. But since it was a gift from swmbo I grin and
bear it without complaint. Take a good look at Laguna before making any
decisions.

EJ

I have the Delta 20" and love it. Will re-saw nearly 12" and has decent
power, wish it had more at times. It is 220V though.

I bought quite a few different blades for it but ended up only using 4
carbide (3/8, ½, ¾ &1"), the bi-metals now rust on the wall.



When I bought it was sitting next to and dwarfing an 18" Jet.



mark



"Tbone Dano" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm a newbie to the group, and as my first post, I'm asking another
> "which one to buy" question. I'm looking to buy a bandsaw to add to
> my shop. I've been looking at both 14 inchers, and am toying with the
> idea of buying a 17" one. Anyone who has an opinion on any of these
> specific saws, as well as an opinino on whether it's worth upgrading
> to a bigger saw would be greatly appreciated!
>
> The ones I'm interested in:
>
> 1. A Powermatic 14", the new model that just came out, the PWBS-14CS.
> Nice, solid machine with all the bells and whistles for a sale price
> of $765
>
> 2. A Delta 28-206 1 HP 14" Professional Band Saw, for a sale price of
> $520
>
> 3. The new Delta X5 14" Closed Stand Bandsaw for around $800
>
> OR...
>
> A bigger, 17" saw. The ones I'm looking at are:
>
> 1. General Model 90-240 M1 for $1100.
>
> 2. JET 708750B/JWBS-18 18" Bandsaw for $1100
>
> I plan to do ripping and resawing of rough lumber with the bandsaw, as
> well as curved cutting, and hopefully tons of other things too!
>
> Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions...I'd especially like to hear
> from anyone who's moved to something bigger than a 14 inch bandsaw.
>
> Thanks!