Subject: Band Saw Selection

From: [email-masked] (Paul Diggins; Former ACS)
Date: 11 Feb 1997 17:59:49 GMT

I've been wondering. It seems that most bandsaw reviews that I have
read tend to pick a catagory, then rate the saws based on these
criteria. This is normally a good thing, but when it comes to the wide
range of prices for bandsaws I don't think this is a reasonable way to
rate the saws.

    For instance in the Shopnotes review 5 saws were selected...based
partly on size, I guess since they were all 14" or 15" bandsaws...and
they did stay within a price range. My question is: Do most consumers
make purchase decisions this way? If I want to spend $600 - $700 on a new saw
and I allocate that much..will it really bother me if I get a saw that
is larger than I need since it will still do all that I want to do?

    You probably see where this is going. The Grizzly products are so
much cheaper that you can get a much larger saw, and from the looks of
things a better saw for less. So when you are comparing a set of saws,
wouldn't you tend to look at a grouping of saws like this:

14" Delta 28-283 
14" Jet WBS-14CS
16" or 18" Grizzly "whatever model numbers..they only have the 2"

   This is the decision I am trying to make. If anyone has any kind
of experience with these saws and can give me a little advice..I would
greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

   Paul Diggins

---

From: Paul Honore <[email-masked]>
Date: 12 Feb 1997 01:58:46 GMT

>of experience with these saws and can give me a little advice..I would
I just bought the Reliant 16"  ( on sale at Woodwkrs Wrhouse for $449)
I think its a good value - has a 9" depth of cut (no need for riser blocks)
and a 1 1/2 hp motor.  Comes with rip fence.  I haven't had a problem
with it yet.  Castings probably aren't as good as Delta, but its less than half the price

Paul Honore
[email-masked]

---

From: [email-masked] (Bennett Leeds)
Date: 14 Feb 1997 21:53:55 GMT

Paul Diggins; Former ACS writes
> range of prices for bandsaws I don't think this is a reasonable way to

Well, no-one said the reviews were intended to give the reader a bottom
line "this is best." Last time someone did a comprehensive bandsaw
survey (AWW), they got bashed to death in this newsgroup. Too bad, since
it was a good review.

> things a better saw for less.

What look of things? Catalog specs? Color pictures? 

No way can you evaluate saw quality from a catalog. The Grizzly saws may
be good for the money, but no way are you getting more saw for less money.

> If I want to spend $600 - $700 on a new saw and I allocate that much..will 
> it really bother me if I get a saw that is larger than I need since it will 
> still do all that I want to do?

There are always trade-offs, but there isn't nearly as big a size
difference between the saws as you apparently think. A couple inches of
throat width is no big deal. More of a big deal is resaw capacity, and
here the 15" General and 16" Grizzly can't be fitted with a height
extender.

About the only exception to the size is the Inca 310 bandsaw, which is in
this price range. A 10.5" wheeled saw, it's very accurate, but small, and
its resaw is also limited to a bit over 6".

When you step up to the over $1K range you get into one-piece cabinet style
bandsaws with balanced cast iron wheels.

But, for choosing a saw, you'll need to think about what you want to use
it for, and evaluate them based on that criteria.

- Bennett Leeds
[email-masked]

Opinions are mine alone.

From Tom Hamilton            [email-masked] Sat Feb 15 11:52:14 EST 1997
Article: 184239 of rec.woodworking
Path: newz.oit.unc.edu!news-relay.ncren.net!newsgate.duke.edu!agate!newsgate.cuhk.edu.hk!hammer.uoregon.edu!news-xfer.netaxs.com!feed1.news.erols.com!super.zippo.com!zdc-e!szdc!drn
From: Tom Hamilton            [email-masked]
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
Subject: Re: Question on Bench grinder & burning.
Date: 14 Feb 1997 08:54:28 -0800
Organization: None
Lines: 49
Sender: [email-masked]
Message-ID: <[email-masked]>
References: <[email-masked]> <[email-masked]>
Xref: newz.oit.unc.edu rec.woodworking:184239

In article , [email-masked] says...
>
>In <[email-masked]> [email-masked]
>(Hackwood) writes: 
>>
>>I have a 8" bench grinder with a 8"x1" pink Norton stone (fine). The
>>grinder runs at 1725 rpm. I set my plane irons on the Veratis jig and
>do a
>>quick light pass then dunk the iron into ice water with each and every
>>pass. The edges still turn blue. The stone has been trued with a
>diamond
>>point.
>>
>>Is there any way I can slow the grinder down like you can with those
>>attachments you add onto routers?  I'd like to run the grinder a lot
>>slower to avoid the burning.  TIA.
>>
>>Weasel (tm)
>>
>>"I have something to say: It's better to burn out, then to fade away"
>>
>There is a device that can be used to slow equipment down by reducing
>voltage. It's called a VariAC. I've seen them for sale used several
>times at reasonable prices. It is a box about the size 4"x4"x4" and has
>a cord with plug. The box has a dial for setting variable voltage and a
>female socket to plug you equipment cord into.
>I bought one that would handle a 15 amp buffer all day. Also note that
>paint buffing is done best at 1500 rpm or less to avoid heat buildup,
>the slower the better. 

Scenario:

6" Grinder, Identical wheel, motor turns at 3450 rpm.....

Wolverine grinding jig.

Almost all the chisels I sharpen are used in Lathe work and are mainly
Sorby or Henry Taylor HSS  (High speed steel)... Gouges, Scrapers etc...
A slight  blueing of the cutting edge is acceptable as HSS is much more
forgiving temperwise...
Theory: double the speed, use a lighter touch???

If the tools being sharpened are carbon-steel there will be more bluing.

Cheers:

Tom                                    "The True North"

From [email-masked]             Tom Hamilton Sat Feb 15 11:52:15 EST 1997
Article: 184240 of rec.woodworking
Path: newz.oit.unc.edu!news-relay.ncren.net!gatech!news-out.communique.net!mr.net!newsfeeds.sol.net!news.maxwell.syr.edu!super.zippo.com!zdc-e!szdc!drn
From: [email-masked]             Tom Hamilton
Newsgroups: rec.woodworking
Subject: Re: How often do you do it?
Date: 14 Feb 1997 08:32:06 -0800
Organization: None
Lines: 67
Sender: [email-masked]
Message-ID: <[email-masked]>
References: <[email-masked]> <[email-masked]> <[email-masked]>
Xref: newz.oit.unc.edu rec.woodworking:184240

In article , BOB says...
>
>Private wrote:
>> 
>> Bradley A. Stolzer wrote:
>> >
>> > In a message dated 97-01-27 06:52:57 EST, [email-masked] (Dave
>> > Druckerman) writes:
>> >
>> > << > I'm curious how often the non-professionals among you out there are down
>> >  > > (or out) in your shop:  frequency, and duration at a shot.  My wife
>> >  > > occasionally rags on me (could be worse), and I'd like to know where I
>> >  > > stand in the distribution.  Me?  Well, it comes in fits and starts, but
>> >  > > probably averages out to about between 1 and 3 evenings per week, 3-4
>> >  > > hours at a shot, plus about 4-8 hours per weekend.
>> >  >
>> >  > 1 to 2 evenings a week, for about 20 minutes a shot. Mebbe 2 hours, on a
>> >  > good weekend. Most woodworking done while ostensibly taking out the trash,
>> >  > and getting "lost" in the garage. This past weekend was a notable
>> >  > exception, when I got about 5 total hours. Nearly completed something,
>> >  > imagine that.
>> >  >
>> >  > O'Deen
>> >   >>
>> > 2 evenings per week, 2-3 hours per evening, plus 3-4 hours on weekends.
>> >  Greatest disappoinment in life:  having the evening to do woodworking, but
>> > too tired to do it!!
>> 
>> If I'm really into a project then I spend about five hours a night,
>> three nights a week in the shop.  On the weekend I will spend an entire
>> day in the shop, then make sure that I spend the other day doing things
>> with my wife, um-err, live-in girlfriend.  She is very tolerant of shop
>> time if I'm making something for her, like a jewelry box or new bathroom
>> cabinetry.  I'm going to have a difficult time convincing her that my
>> next project, a boat, is for her though ;)
> Keep call the boat by your wifes(girlfriends) name, tell her it has
>really great lines just like her. IT WORKED FOR ME!
>
>                                           BOB
>
>P.S.   don't ever refer to it as "SHE or HER" they don't like the
>compation.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 3 score and 10 + I have an understanding with my bride of 44 years
that works like a charm.
Joan spends as much time as she likes playing Euchre, Pepper, Bridge and 
attending bingoes, and I get to spend my time either in the
shop, mostly  woodturning or in front of this computer..

Words of wisdom for the guys approaching my age>>>>>>>.

>From  twenty to thirty if you live right,
It's twice in the morning and twice at night.

>From  thirty to forty, if you still live right,
You cut out the morning but keep up the night.

>From  forty to fifty it's just now and then,

>From  fifty to sixty it's God Knows When,

>From  sixty to seventy, IF you're so inclined,
D'ont let fool you pal, it's all in your mind................

Cheers:

Tom Hamilton