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Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 2:31 am
by PSmill
Hi, I'm considering a next build, maybe from scratch or partially from scratch. A band saw would pretty well round out my shop for power tools. Wondering what size people are using for doing necks etc., any pros, cons, minimum capacity to look for, or other thoughts? Tnx.

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 10:52 am
by Danl8
I have both a bench top and a standing 14" Jet. For little tasks the bench top works fine. The Jet with riser block is sort of a minimally acceptable size & quality for re-sawing. I don't do a lot of that, but I think it is overall more useful. Blade selection and guides, and set-up/tuning are the key aspects of getting good cuts. (IMHO)

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 3:11 pm
by Kevin Sjostrand
I agree with Dan. I have both a floor standing 14" resaw bandsaw and a table top Craftsman 10". Of course the big saw will do everything you can think of, but the smaller saw can work for neck work, cutting out tops, backs and sides, etc. The most important thing is the right blade for the task, and a quality blade.
A small saw with a 1/4" blade will resaw, but you will be limited to about 4" of height.

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2019 9:36 pm
by ruby@magpage.com
The small cheap ones, especially those with 3 wheels, can be notoriously hard to keep adjusted. Very easy to come up with a used 14" in the Delta style for $350 and would be my recommendation as a first saw so you don't get frustrated with it. I have a 50 year old Delta 14 and find it just fine, however I work on 2 tall ships and one has a 14" and an 18" Laguna, and the other has a 14" Laguna - all with 3 HP motors and you would be hard-pressed to find a better tool.

Ed

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2019 8:59 am
by Diane Kauffmds
I have a 10" Rikon, which has been a really good bandsaw for day to day work. But, if you have the room and the money, I would go ahead and get a good 14". Think to the future. I use the bandsaw more than any of the other tools in the shop.

Don't get me wrong. Given the position I was in a couple of years ago, I made a good decision buying the 10" Rikon, and it's a great bandsaw. But, I know that I'll be buying a 14" Rikon in the near future. Although rare, there have been a couple of instances where I've needed more power than the 10" could provide, and a good 14" has minimal resaw capability.

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:12 pm
by PSmill
Thanks for the advice!!

Re: Band Saw - Bench top versus floor

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2019 11:45 am
by MaineGeezer
If you get a big one, I doubt you will ever wish you had gotten a small one. The reverse, however, may not be the case.