Bandsaw

[Steve L.]

I would like to see a bandsaw package similar to the Grizzly G0555. The bandsaw would include:1 hp motor, miter, fence and at a competitive price - $375. The bs would also have all the ability (and accessories available) to be customized like Jet or Delta bs. If I was ready to purchase a bs, I would likely (and painfully) chose the Grizzly.

Steve

[Marker]

I agree Steve. A bandsaw is the next item on my shop list. I would prefer to buy the Ridgid, but the extra HP combined with the miter gauge and fence give the G0555 the advantage. The reviews on the G0555 are are still coming in, but from what I have seen they are postive.

[UO_Woody]

The G0555 is backordered till anyone's guess.
So if you think you want one, order it now because it will probably be 3 to 6 months before you see it.
Add shipping on top of the price, and your real close to what the BS1400 is now.
True, it doesn't have the quick release, roller guides, miter or fence with it.
Look at some of the other prices of saws that come with some of these options as standard. You could almost buy 2 BS1400 for the price of some of the others. Ridgid has reputation, an outstanding warrenty. And the review that was givin to the BS1400 FW Tools & Shops 2001/2002 is self explanitory. Overall, Ridgid is still a pretty good bang for the buck. Just because one company came out with features on one model that is litteraly 1/2 the price doesn't mean you are getting a peice of machinery that is high quality, or has longevity. I'd like to see grizzly upgrade all thier bandsaws the same way, and see what price they put on the rest of them. They didn't upgrade a model, they released one. I would really wonder about craftsmanship.
And if you buy a defective BS1400 it's a simple trip back to home depot and bring home a new one. With Grizzly, you PAY to ship it back and wait another 3 to 6 months to get the replacement?
I have the BS1400. If and when the motor goes out, an Emerson 1hp will replace it. An optional quick release is available for it from Carter Industries. I'm sticking with cool blocks as the rollers don't work well on thin blades. But I'm tempted to try the ceramic ones...once. And as far as the fence and miter goes, I bought the fence, and use the TS2424 miter on it.
And I have plans to store the fence when I build/buy a decent table for it.
Just my opinion but when you really trick it out like you normally would, I still think the BS1400's reputation will prevail with the price on it.
I've looked at the castings on some other brands and Ridgids is far nicer looking, and they don't even have all the extras or warrenty and still is almost twice as much as Ridgid.
I do agree a quick release and a 1hp would be a nice upgrade, but how much will that increase the price? I think I would rather add these features as I can afford them.
Besides, the Grizzly is GREEN. I hate GREEN. And Ridgid is colorful with soft touch knobs!
No intent to downgrade other brands, but when you sit down and really compare apples to apples, fit, finish, quality, warrenty and price. I think you will all agree. It will circle right back around to the top...Ridgid.
ok, go ahead...pick me apart smile.gif

[Steve L.]

Woody,
I do not intend to pick you apart. I agree with you in principle (paying for quality) but I feel that Home Depot is charging way too much for some of Ridgid's tools. For example, I just purchased the Ridgid's JP610 at $399. I happened to walk in the 'Pot and noticed it was marked down from $449. I also opened a credit card account and received an additional 10% off. That makes the jointer $360 and I am sure the Pot still made money on that deal.
I have no problem paying for quality but it is very difficult to justify the extra money to all interested parties (if you catch my drift). If Ridgid adds a fence or a miter, which they can easily do because my TS2424-1 came with tons of extra goodies (dust chute, hold down for the miter, etc.) that was done as a promotion, I can better argue my points for the extra $$$. But, when I pull out the check book to buy the items that come standard on other saws, I have a difficult time in the justification department.
Two final points, regardless of quality differences: 1. watch the competition because as consumers we are and 2. sometimes price is the major issue.
I'm done. That wasn't so bad now was it??

[UO_Woody]

Naw, that was pretty mild!
I was expecting much worse.
But I still dislike the color GREEN.

[Steve L.]

Woody,
I take it your not a vegatarian. :D

Steve

[KellyC]

I'm with Woody on this one. I've had a chance to see the green stuff in a shop here in Dallas and I was not impressed. I'll be saving the dollars for the Ridgid (and it won't take too many more than the G0555 costs).

[Okdave]

We purchased a Grizzly bandsaw for our school district maintenance department in the mid 80s. We have never had a problem with it and in all those years had never even hear the motor stall while cutting 6" hardwood planks. Grizzly has been at the craft for quite a while and I beleive they're doing a pretty good job of it. I too am considering the Grizzly in my own personal workshop.

[Okdave]

Oh, the machines our "Philadelphia Eagles" Green and Philadelphia Eagles" Gray. We kind of like that green-gray combination here in Philadelphia. Don't get me wrong the Ridgid Bandsaw is also a very nice machine. smile.gif

[Steve L.]

Kelly,
I don't think Woody's opinion is all that different than mine. Reference a previous quote from Woody that I found -

I'm all for the quick release lever myself. It's available as an aftermarket item from Carter.
http://www.carterproducts.com/
Not to boast about other brands, but Look at Grizzly's new 14" bandsaw, G0555. Roller guides, quick release, and a price that drops your jaw.
If I was in the market for a new bandsaw something would really have to tip the scales to buy the Ridgid over the Grizzly.
I rarley release the pressure on the blade because alot of times I make quick single cuts on the bandsaw and it takes more time to fiddle with blade tension than the cut itself.

--------------------
I NEED MORE CLAMPS !!! Donations Accpeted, but will probably go for diapers now.
Bottom Line: When you add the price of a miter gauge, and fence to the Ridgid BS then you are clearly in the domain of many more BS (Delta, Jet, etc.). I, personally, would like a well rounded BS and the Grizzly G0555 offers many options that puts them in that category. I believe Ridgid can still improve upon the BS package or Home Depot could lower the price. I am going to watch the market for awhile before I make any decisions. I hear mixed results from both people who own Ridgid BS and Grizzly BS. These opinions are generally subjective. There are a lot of people who own quality tools that don't know how to use/adjust/maintain them and get frustrated and blame the tool. You constantly see them venting on Ridgid's website and the woodworking newsgroup.

Steve

Steve

[UO_Woody]

Steve,

I remember that post. At the time of my machinery purchasing the G0555 was not realeased yet. It would have been a very tough decission if it was. But I still think I would have went Ridgid. If Ridgid could put on the quick release and upgrade to 1hp and keep it the same price, I think grizzly with shipping charges and less warrenty would loose some sales to Ridgid that Ridgid is loosing to Grizzly in the bandsaw field.
I also looked a Delta & Jet. Both nearly double Ridgids price.

Okdave,

I highly considered Grizzly equimpment on reviews I read, but when I looked at shipping, it was no deal without lifetime warrenty along with all the other aspects of shippin in machinery. And not liking green is not sports realted, not much of a sports fan affraid. But because almost every living plant on this planet bears green, inside my shop shouldn't be the same color as outside the shop.
But like I said, Grizzly "released" a new model with all these features, they didn't upgrade one. If they were to upgrade all their other bandsaws equally to the G0555, could they keep the price the same?

[Steve L.]

Woody,

Steve,

I remember that post. At the time of my machinery purchasing the G0555 was not realeased yet. It would have been a very tough decission if it was. But I still think I would have went Ridgid. If Ridgid could put on the quick release and upgrade to 1hp and keep it the same price, I think grizzly with shipping charges and less warrenty would loose some sales to Ridgid that Ridgid is loosing to Grizzly in the bandsaw field.
I also looked a Delta & Jet. Both nearly double Ridgids price.

I agree.
Adding all the accessories to a Ridgid will bring you into a premium bs category.

Steve

[Marker]

I would think that since they make their own motors, at least the 1 or 1.5 HP would be a somewhat inexpensive upgrade. At least on their side assuming that the structure can handle the additional weight, HP, torque, etc. To me, buying miters, fences as accesories is more acceptable that needing to upgrade the motor.

[ 01-21-2003, 06:34 PM: Message edited by: MarkR ]

[Okdave]

I Could not beleive when the tractor trailer pulled up with my new Grizzly G0555 on it today. I was told when I ordered it a couple weeks ago that I want not receive it until mid Feb. Well I guess they are Now In Stock. I will let you know in future posts what I think of it.

Take Care.
Okdave

[Bucko]

OkDave,
Well how do you like your Grizzly 555?

Anyone else get the 555 yet? I would like to know
since I am about to start looking for a BS and a SCMS. I would like to stick with Ridgid since I have a TS,JP,TP and DP.

By the way the customer service rep at Ridgid said the SCMS should be out this week.

Bucko

[Cal]

Bucko & Woody (and all) Just assembled my new BS1400 last night. Bought it kindness of a 10% HD discount coupon sent to me from someone in another part of this forum. My minor 'hiccup is the rubber motor mounts - hard to keep motor aligned while tensioning the belt.

Grizzly - which I briefly considered: you ought to check out the Long Island Woodworkers Club build of a GO555 and the work-arounds they used to 'tweak Grizzly fit and finish.

[UO_Woody]

Cal,

I read the post on the motor mounts, it was a good post. Mine needs adjusting, but am putting it off working my brain for a different set up than the rubber mounts. When I come up with something, I'll do a post on it.

[Cal]

U.O.Woody. I'm playing with a variation of a pivoting motor mount used in a competing band saw. The pivot would be toward the saw and likely raised off the band saw base a couple of inches.
When I'm done, the plan is to shock mount the motor on the new mount and fasten the base of the pivoting mount to the existing mounting holes in the band saw base. (I try to improve things.)

[UO_Woody]

My idea was to mount the motor to a seperate plate, using the existing holes for tensioning. Working on incorperating a built in cam action lever that will make it easy to tension the belt. Problem I foresee is keeping the motor from shifting out of square with the cam action lever presure. It's tricky, but I'm sure it can be done.

[Cal]

Woody,
You mentioned an improved table for the BS1400?
I've got my BS aligned to cut straight with a different blade. Using the mitre gage is great but I wish the table also had mitre gage slots on both sides of the blade - like a table saw?

Know anyone that makes a dual slot table to fit the BS1400?

[UO_Woody]

Improved table is via one self designed from several articles and plans I have read. Right now I am not doing anything with my band saw until I decide on what to do with it, and it's bad motor.

[ 10-25-2003, 07:45 AM: Message edited by: UO_Woody ]

[Cal]

Motor go out? Do you do lots of resawing? I'm on the other end i.e. bought BS1401 band saw for the way it's made even though so far use it only on smaller stuff. Only minor problem so far is adjusting blade tracking so it doesn't rub inside the plastic cover on the left side of the saw.

[Cal]

Would like to see a retro 2 speed kit to make the BS1400 run slower for light non-ferrous metal cutting.

[Cal]

Would be nice to have a second mitre gauge slot to the left of the blade (similar to a table saw.)