From: dmb@IEDV4.acd.com ( Dave Barker )
Subject: Re: BANDSAW INFO REQUIRED
Organization: Applied Computing Devices, Inc., Terre Haute IN
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 14:56:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.145424.1@qis.dofasco.ca> stericker_r@qis.dofasco.ca writes:
>Fellow Woodworkers:
>
>I am planning on buying a bandsaw in the next month or two.  I will be using it
>to build furniture (e.g. tables, desks, chairs).  I forsee using the bandsaw
>for resawing lumber, making laminations for curved parts, tenon cheek cuts, and
>making curved cuts of a general nature.  I am looking for a quality machine
>that will be easy to adjust and maintain.  The current leader is the Delta 14" 
>with height extension.
>
>Given these criteria I have several questions to ask:
>
>1.  Is the Delta the right machine for the job?
>
>2.  What other machines would you recomend?
>
>3.  What type of work would require > 14" throat? (I have a tablesaw and RAS)
>
>4.  If I go with the Delta, should I go 1/2 hp. or 3/4 hp.?
>
>5.  Is the enclosed base for the Delta worth the extra money?
>
>In particular I would like to hear from people with experience with the 
>machines in question.
>
>Thanks in advance for your help.
>
>Ray Stericker
>Primary Automation Systems
>Dofaco Inc.
>Hamilton Ont. Canada

	I believe bandsaws are one of those tools people have in mind
	when they use the adage "you get what you pay for." Bandsaws are finely
	tunable (or should be) machines when it comes to getting the most
	out of them, both in terms of performance and enjoyment. A
	poorly tuned bandsaw is no joy to use, and you will have a hard
	time doing any accurate work with such a saw. A well-made, properly 
	adjusted bandsaw, on the other hand, is a real joy to use. It will be 
	quite, smooth running and fast cutting. A poorly made saw, one that 
	vibrates badly, has a blade that won't track properly (or has too 
	big of a blade, so that it can't be tensioned correctly), will be 
	a real pain-in-the-butt, and you will use the saw only when absolutely 
	necessary.

	I used to have a Delta-clone bandsaw (Jet) and IMHO, it was a 
	poorly made saw.  It vibrated badly, was very noisy and cut poorly.
	Of course, I could of had a lemon. I think with import machinery,
	this is sometimes the case (sometimes you get a good buy, sometimes
	you get the lemon), so if somebody else out there has had good
	results with the Jet bandsaw, I offer my humblest apologies. I have
	had good luck with other import machinery, for what it's worth.

	I have used the Delta 14" saw before, and it seems to be a pretty
	nice saw. The ones I have used didn't vibrate nearly as bad as the
	Jet I had, and the blade guides are easier to adjust on the
	Delta. One thing that will cause problems with the Delta is trying
	to use too wide of a blade. The saw really isn't capable of tensioning
	a blade wider than about 1/2", even though the saw will accept blades
	up to 3/4" (I think.) You will get much better performance using a 
	1/2" blade, properly tensioned, even for resawing thick stock, than
	with a wider blade that can't be tensioned properly.
	To me, though, the Delta still has a lot of vibration. 

	If I were looking for a saw in the price range of the Delta, I would
	look seriously at the 10" Inca saw. These machines are built like swiss
	watches; very smooth running, and with a properly tensioned, sharp 
	blade capable of resawing most any hardwood.

	If your budget and space allows, consider the MiniMax 18" bandsaw. 
	This is a very smooth running saw, that when properly set up is a
	real joy to use. I have one and I use it for virtually every ripping
	operation in my shop, from cutting tight curves, to general ripping
	of boards to desired width, to resawing hardwood. I like the table
	height and size on the MiniMax, too. It is lower than on the Delta
	so you don't have to lift heavy pieces up as high. Some people might
	see the lower table as a disadvantage to doing scroll work, but 
	this is personal preference, I suppose.

	Well, I think I have rambled too much here. If you have any comments
	or questions, please feel free to email me. Regards,

								Dave