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Here are a few suggestions:
By:Brian Nystrom
Date: 12/1/2004, 11:14 am
In Response To: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? (Bob May)

Here are a few suggestions:

1) Look for a used band saw. Check you local newspaper's classified ads or classified ad magazines for your area. A good used tool will save you a bundle and you'll end up with a better tool.

If you're anywhere near Nashua, NH, I have a 12" Sears saw with 1/8" Olsen (new), 1/4" Olsen (new) and 1/2" Sears (used) blades that I'll sell for $150. It has Cool Blocks, a built-in light, a sturdy stand and it runs well, but I have two larger band saws and no longer need it. I need to make room in my shop area more than I need a third band saw.

2) If you only need to do light duty cutting, the 10" Ryobi band saw is a pretty nice unit for the money (recently reduced to ~$200 at Home Depot). It's well built, comes with roller guides and has a built-in dust collection system that apparently actually works.

3) Fine Woodworking did a review of 14" band saws recently. They rated the Ridgid 14" BS-1400 as their "Best Buy". However, it's $379. The $280 Harbor Freight saw was included in the review, but didn't fare well. The Grizzly looks like a better deal for $40 more.

To date, all three of my band saws (12" Sears, 14" Bridgewood and 18" Enco have been lower-end models that I stumbled into great deals on. They work OK, but all have required a fair amount of tinkering and upgrades to produce the best results. There's simply no substitute for a well made tool. Eventually, I'll end up buying a high quality saw, like a Laguna or one of the other European style saws imported by Bridgewood, Aggazani, General,etc., and will probably wonder why I waited so long to do so.

Messages In This Thread

Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Bob May -- 11/29/2004, 2:45 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
Rob Macks -- 12/1/2004, 5:07 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
jim kozel -- 12/1/2004, 5:33 pm
Wow, thanks for all the feedback
Bob May -- 12/1/2004, 2:13 pm
Re: Wow, thanks for all the feedback
Will -- 12/1/2004, 8:48 pm
Here are a few suggestions:
Brian Nystrom -- 12/1/2004, 11:14 am
Re: Here are a few suggestions:
Charles Cooper -- 12/1/2004, 12:52 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Kurt Hoffman -- 12/1/2004, 9:59 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
Chip Sandresky -- 12/1/2004, 2:40 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
jim kozel -- 12/1/2004, 11:00 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw (rant :))
gerald -- 12/1/2004, 11:14 am
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Daren -- 11/29/2004, 9:16 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Kurt Maurer -- 11/30/2004, 7:59 pm
One more thing... *LINK*
gerald -- 11/29/2004, 6:59 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
CFronzek -- 11/29/2004, 6:38 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Reg Lake -- 11/29/2004, 6:18 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
gerald -- 11/29/2004, 4:57 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
bayport_bob -- 11/29/2004, 4:10 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Jim Kozel -- 11/29/2004, 11:16 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 7:28 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250? *LINK*
Glen Smith -- 12/2/2004, 9:49 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
martin lister -- 12/2/2004, 10:19 pm
Thanks!
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 10:53 pm
Re: Thanks! Oops!
Ken Sutherland -- 12/2/2004, 11:26 pm
Re: Tools: Decent band saw for under US$250?
Jim Kozel -- 12/2/2004, 9:34 pm