Band saw advice
- Thread starter Phil
- Start date
Grizzly stuff can be good, it can also be not so good. My feeling is that you run more of a risk of getting a real dud with Grizzly than someone like Jet or Delta. They are a good value in a NEW machine IF you don't get a dud. The way I look at it is that a DECOY bandsaw is a good candidate for a Grizzly since that is not exactly used as a precision tool. If you thought you were going to do a lot of resawing, then maybe I'd reconsider (then again any 14" saw is not great for resawing).
As for price, I don't know where to place it not knowing the model, I'm assuming used.
As for price, I don't know where to place it not knowing the model, I'm assuming used.
Eric Dellamater
Well-known member
I have one and have used it for years. Love it. G0555 model with 6" riser.
Do any research on bandsaws in the 14" range in the last 5 years and you might be surprised they are always in the top 1-3 in most if not all catagories. Several times coming out as top tool. JET is dead, the old quality and mystique of them is gone. They are near the bottom now. Don't be fooled. All DELTA's are made overseas in the 14" or below size now a days. They have a special edition saw out now that is USA, but otherwise they are foreign too. The feeling expressed above in the quote is just planly not supported in the national magazines.
As far as quality goes, my saw was perfectly coplaner upon opening the box. I did not need to adjust at all. Once I dropped the riser in, still right on the money. Roller guids and quick release tension bars all are nice add on's that the other saws don't usually have, they are additional options.
As far as price, 5 years ago, with the riser, delievered, I paid 425 so that price definitely sounds in range or better if new, if used, but not too old would not seem too out of place.
Good luck.
Eric,
I own a Grizzly 14" saw myself, so I think I too know a little about them. On my saw the riser block was poorly machined and needed replaced and the accessory parts with the riser needed substantial retro fitting to make work. The upper guide runs out of alignment across its range. Dudish to me, but hey, I'm not an national magazine editor or someone who has a need to talk up my equiptment.
T
Lee Harker
Well-known member
I had a Delta about 15 years ago..I sold it in a stupid moment..about 5 years later I started carving dekes and bought a Grizzly. I think they were both made in the same building in changfuk province according to the address on the boxes. My Grizz cost 299.00 and it was 60.00 for the riser and 40 for the roller guides. The Delta was over 500 bucks, my cost from my tool supplier. I personally like the Grizzly better.
Willy McDonald
Active member
I have a 14 inch Grizzly that has been in use for better than 15 years now and I doubt that there are few folks that cut out more decoys than I do. I'm sure that there are bandsaws of greater quality out there but I can say that I personally have had great luck with all the grizzly products that I have purchased. They even replaced some band saw blades when I bitched that they were breaking at the weld. Customer service and Grizzly products have been good to me.
Willy
Willy