I am in the market for an 18 inch bandsaw - price is an issue

I am looking at the 3 hp Jet model, it will only be used to resaw and I would

also like input on any 18 inch bandsaw out there. My local Woodcraft store

sells the Jet for 1800.00. They do not upcharge for shipping here, which is a

real plus for me.

Has anyone used the Kreg pocket screw kits?

 

Darren,

Haven't seen you post in a while.
You have some beautiful wood out on those islands.

I have two Kreg pocket screw tools.
One that I use in the shop to make field assembly joints in carcass work and an older little jig with an aluminum base and a toggle clamp that I can use for making lattice frames and similar work where a butt joint is simple and the object is only viewed from one side.
(this is very handy when the joint is mitered or I have to contend with a slope and the joint is not at right angles)
Most of the time you will need to sand the joint flush. Even with the proper clamps the screws are angled and want to pull the seam out of plane.
This is compounded by the fact that I often use polyurethane glue on exterior endgrain.

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I can't say I've ever had a Jet bandsaw. I have a 14" Grizzly and an 18" Italian Laguna.
Their other tools I do have, left tilt Exacta-saw, 17" drill press, etc. have all been fine quality.
I don't think you'll go wrong with a Jet, but realize you need a lot of motor for resawing.
Do you have 3phase power?
Have you considered buying a tool at auction?
There are a lot of shops going under around here.

Considered a Grizzly?
They are often made in the same factories as Jet, just a different color.
You might be able to get the same saw with a larger motor for the same price.

A quality blade is key when resawing. Often with tropical woods you will need a stellite or carbide toothed blade.

 

G0514X2B 19" 3 HP Extreme-Series® Bandsaw with Brake

At that price, shipped, you'll have a couple of hundred left to upgrade the guides and tires.

I have a 1988 Grizzly 10" contractors table saw (since upgraded to a PM2000) that simply refuses to die. Still keep it in the shop as a back up, sometimes just sits with a dado blade in it.

Jet and Powermatic are now one and the same company. The days of inferior product coming from Taiwan are pretty much yesteryear at that pricing level. They realized that there was a strong demand for QUALITY import woodworking eqpt.

The aforementioned Laguna products are pretty awesome and you'll gain a few points for looks....beautifully designed tools.

 

I checked the Woodcraft site, seems the saw you are looking at is on sale right now....

Ed, my thoughts exactly on the Grizzly.
WAaaaay back in the day I had a Ryobi resaw bandsaw, (only resaw bandsaw I've owned) back before they were usurped by the Evil Orange Box.

 

I just got off the phone with a guy whose shop just closed down. I have an
appointment to see him this Monday. He is asking 1000.00 for the 3HP saw.
I will still have the Woodcraft option too (1500.00 on sale)

I donʻt do much harder wood resawing. I resaw mostly Poplar and Sitka Spruce.

We might go and get a Kreg kit today.

Iʻll keep you posted

 

We ended up picking up a Rikon 10-345 18 inch saw.

Woodcraft had it on sale for 999.99 and we also picked up a Lenox 1" x 1.3tpi
blade at the time.

We brought home the 400 lbs saw yesterday and it sure was a bear getting
it off the truck.

I plan to unpack the saw and start mounting it in place later today.

We have been looking for a dust collection unit too, Iʻll pick one up as soon as I set up the saw.

I will let you know how it works.

 

Rikon is awesome eqpt. For a thousand bucks you cannot lose. Hope they didnt want another thousand to ship it but even so.....whatever it takes, rikon is good.

 

You bought a quality saw. It can last you a lifetime. The Kreg kits work good. I use mine a lot on face frames for my cabinets. It makes a good strong joint. If I built more cabinets I'd invest in a stationary powered unit to mortise the pockets.

 

Looking further into it, that saw lists for over 1400, has a baldor 3HP motor and its resaw capacity is amongst the best in the industry. Good move,let us know if its a pain in the azz to set up, most are.

 

I have a book that I found immensely helpful when I installed a home made riser block in my old 14" saw.

Amazon.com: Band Saw Handbook (0049725063983): Mark Duginske: Books

 

Here is our saw rigged for action, it will mainly see resaw work, but it is ready.

It is such a dream working with this saw vs. our 14 inch saw.

After initial use, I had a lower wheel tracking issue. I called Rikonʻs tech line and the walked me through adjusting the lower wheel tracking.
It took about 15 min. to adjust the lower wheel and now the saw works great.

We have a Lenox 1 inch x 1.3 tpi and it provides a smooth cut leaving little to plane to thickness.

This saw is a time saver and I look forward to working, it is not a chore to
re saw these days.



also pictured

Porter Cable dust collector
and
2 Rockwell worksupports - I recommed these work supports to anyone.

 

Glad to see the Rikon is working out. Has to be one of the best values out there at that price. Nice pics too, love tool ****. The fence appears pretty substantial. Let us know in a few months how it's holding up and your user impressions long term, please.

 

I'm on Woodworking talk.com now.

Look for Victory 1.

 

They seem a little more serious than the people on FTE

They even have dangerous warning labels squeezed in between posts.


This maybe a hint for FTE admins

 

Bandsaw running great, I have a project I am starting today requiring the Kreg pocket hole tool I bought. Actually I already used the Kreg and I like it.

Here is a photo of the latest custom order paddle.