Bandsaw Suggestions

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I've decided to get a bandsaw in the 7" x 12" range.  The more research I do the more I'm confused, there are a lot of different brands, but I'm guessing a lot are the same with different paint and decals.I'm looking to spend $700-$1000 to my door.  Prefer something that is already set up with 220, and coolant system, hydraulic feed.  I was thinking about the Enco because they are somewhat close (Reno), but they don't allow pickups, everything has to ship.  I thought that was odd, especially since someone mentioned the MSC and Enco are the same company.  I called MSC and they said I could pick up, just call in advance.  Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions as to which machine to go with, thanksLincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:In your price range, they are all pretty similar. Personally, I like Jet, just because I think they spec slightly better parts, and since they sell just tools, not brooms, plumbing fittings, fans, and hand cleaner, like MSC, they tend to have better parts and tech support.But really, in that price range, you are talking the same basic design, from either China or Taiwan, and you are really only left to decide whether to pay less, now, and more later, for a cheaper motor and switch, fasteners, and blade guides.In terms of quality, for your standard asian 7x12, Acer, Sharp, and Birmingham are probably a bit better than Jet, then maybe MSC's turnpro brand, then maybe Grizzly, then Enco, Northern, and down to Harbor Freight at the bottom of the pile.Couldnt you save a bit more, and buy a made in america Ellis- they are much better.  http://www.ellissaw.com/Or find a deal on a used american industrial saw?
Reply:Originally Posted by RiesCouldnt you save a bit more, and buy a made in america Ellis- they are much better.  http://www.ellissaw.com/Or find a deal on a used american industrial saw?
Reply:The best saw I ever used was Roll In Saw.  www.rollinsaw.comIt has an adjustable weight.  Very accurate.  MADE IN USA!
Reply:Originally Posted by riley mcmillanThe best saw I ever used was Roll In Saw.
Reply:Take a look at the new craftsman metal cutting bandsaw.  It's a gearhead with coolant for 999.00.  Same saw on Grizzly is 1475.00.Neil
Reply:I'd like to second the idea of looking for used band saws.    A lot of the stuff available in the smaller scales from overseas isn't that good.   Not that there isn't good quality stuff available but you end up paying considerably for it.   Buy used you can save a bundle and get better quality.About the only gotcha in this respect is that the saw manufacture should be around selling part for it.   Parts by the way can be an issue with the imports also.    Something to keep in mind.Surprisingly there are a number of American manufacutres of Bandsaws out there.    So buying new and US made is possible.    Wellsaw comes to mind as do others.   This is a product one doesn't have to leave the country for.   Maybe I shouldn't be surprised as there are a huge nuber of approaches and ways to solve customer problems with these saws.The biggest problem with new American made stuff is that it won't be cheap.   Especially if you buy from a third party supplier.    Never hurts to shop around though.    Adding options like wet cutting adds quickly to the price also.DaveLast edited by wizard; 04-28-2006 at 08:44 AM.
Reply:Used is a great idea, the hard part is finding a good used machine.  I've been looking and when I come across something it usually has something missing or broken.  A lot of them that come up are 3 phase, so I pass them up.Lincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:Take a look at the new craftsman metal cutting bandsaw
Reply:Jet does make an import clone of a Rollin Saw- I have a friend who bought one, and he loves it.  A $2000 Jet saw is going to be a whole nother animal from a $300 saw.http://www.southern-tool.com/store/j...d_bandsaw.htmlPricey, but a whole lot less than a real made in america version.($1800 less!)http://www.rollinsaw.com/band_saws/E...l_band_saw.htmMost american made bandsaws start at about 3 grand. They have pretty much abandoned the low end market, as there is no way they can compete. there used to be an american made 4x6 bandsaw on the market- it was about $900, while Harbor Freight sold the "same" saw for $150. Now obviously, it wasnt the same saw- better in every way, but nobody bought em at that price.Ellis saws aint cheap either-http://www.tools-plus.com/metalwork-...band-saws.htmlToo bad we cant get the nice little swivel head Pedrazolli's over here they have in Italy- they sell for the equivalent of about $1500 over there, and they are small, compact, powerful, and flexible.
Reply:Grizzly has a nice little swivel head, http://www.grizzly.com/products/G9742, but it's dry and small.  Looking at that Craftsman saw I couldn't help but notice the strong resemblance to the Enco Turn-Pro.  Every detail looks the same, specs the same, just a different color.  As I get more information I'm starting to think that maybe that little Grizzly could get me by until I can afford a real quality saw.  Why dump $1000 and regret it?  I came across the Baileigh line and I like the features of the BS-260, http://www.bifab.us/bandsaw/bs-260.htmLincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:My friend Paul Thorne, blacksmith extraordinaire, has had one of those Grizzly swivel saws in his shop for almost 4 years now, and he loves it. It wont cut 10" solid round, but what it does, it seems to do pretty well.And he works it pretty hard- check out his stuff.http://www.thornemetals.com/
Reply:Has he mentioned any problems with blades?  1/2" and thin, I wonder how long they last and if he's experienced any twisiting while cutting thicker material?Lincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:Try www.dovebid.com I believe that will get you connected.   They just handled the closeout of a major auto suppliers plant across town.    Even though it was near by I didn't bid as I'm playing tight with the wallet at the moment.    Sad about that too as they had everything in the plant going from welders to CNC machining centers to Injection molders.Also with these sorts of auctions it pays to look at every sale they are holding.   It is surprising where nice machine tools turn up.    Key in on business closing out that where in the electronics industry as their equipment is seldom abused and generally needs to be in good mechanical shape.     Becareful though as this is a world wide business.One thing I've learned the hard way is that many of your intenet suppliers buy through Dove so you can imagine just how cheap some of this stuff goes for.    I hear there are other companys in this same business, I'm not that familiar with them.   I only came across DoveBid as I happened to purchase a piece of electronics online and a DoveBid tag was in the shipping box.    If you really want bargains you need to get to them before the internet resellers.    This is one avenue.   You can always try the traditional avenues also.    Atleast for used equipment.When buying new you have to realize that some of the stuff out there is targeted to the home market and is of extremely low quality.    There are some yahoo groups related to the cheap import saws, sort of a social support group for disfunctional saws and their owners.    One should not assume that the word new implies that the saw will work any better than a used one.    It is a world of you get what you pay for and buying a machine by the pound is a bit foolish.    This is what appears to happen when you deal with the likes of Harbor Frieght, machines cheap but with little to go with it.     Now that is not to say good imports don't exist, just that they go up a bit in price also.I'm not sure if you are in business or if this is for personal usage.    If you are not makeing money off the thing there is some rational to buying a dirt cheap import and putting a little effort into a tune up.   The problem is that you may have to go farther than it is worth.   Further if you don't have a machine shop already the expense could be excessive.ThanksDave Originally Posted by oldtrucksUsed is a great idea, the hard part is finding a good used machine.  I've been looking and when I come across something it usually has something missing or broken.  A lot of them that come up are 3 phase, so I pass them up.
Reply:Thanks Dave, good site.  I've been watching a couple other auction site for equipment as well, Ritchie Brothers and West Auctions, this is another good one to watch.Lincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:Hi Oldtrucks;That is the worst thing about buying used, that is that it becomes a hunting adventure.    You don't always find what you want until you least expect it or until after the season is over.  Not that hunting is bad but at times buying used can be a huge distraction.If you need the tool now, you really have little choice than to buy new.   Further waiting around for a good buy cna hurt your business significantly.    To the point where the price of a good machine means very little.Since this is a welding site I have to compare saws to welders.   You get the right job that mixes well with your skills and welder and you can pay for a new welder in a matter of weeks.   Same goes for just about any tool, be it a drill press, bandsaw or CNC mill.   Obvioulsy being economical is good business stradegy but on the other hand if you can pay for a machine in no time why not invest in something that will be an asset for years to come and is supportable.    I know we are a disposable society but that is at times just wrong and short sited.The other option is to shop the used machinery dealers if you are in a hurry.   I hate to reccomend this approach as often these guys grossly over price their machines.   But you never know.Dave
Reply:Exactly Dave, searching is fun, but starts to be a bit of a distraction.  There's a couple of used dealers in the Sacramento area that I'm going to try this week, see what they have.  I've pretty much decided that I'll have to accept 3 Phase and plan on using a converter if I want to get a good used machine.  Not a problem, down the road I'd like to get a nice mill and it seems like they get set up 3 phase as well.Lincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)
Reply:If you do end up with a three phase machine do consider the use of a Varialble Frequency Drive if the horsepower is around 2 or below.    VFD's are one of the best solutions to three phase machines in the lower power ranges.    The prices have come down drastically in the last couple of years and performance has increase considerably.Whle not much of a benefit on a band saw you do get variable speed.It might also be possible and may the cheapest solution, to simply buy a single phase motor and trach the three phase one.    This of course depends on the frame of the motor and mounting options.    If you have a unit with a second motor to run a pump that will have to be dealt with also.   A VFD can only run one motor at a time.ThanksDave Originally Posted by oldtrucksExactly Dave, searching is fun, but starts to be a bit of a distraction.  There's a couple of used dealers in the Sacramento area that I'm going to try this week, see what they have.  I've pretty much decided that I'll have to accept 3 Phase and plan on using a converter if I want to get a good used machine.  Not a problem, down the road I'd like to get a nice mill and it seems like they get set up 3 phase as well.
Reply:Getting back to the original question, I've had an Enco, a Jet, and presently have an Ellis.  I really love the Ellis; I think that I paid around 2K for it.The Jet came from J&L, on sale, and was an outstanding buy for the money (about a grand).  The Enco was a piece of junk and a real disappointment.RE Grizzly, I have a lot of their woodworking tools and have been pleased overall with them.My recommendation is to buy the Ellis if you can, if not then go with the Jet.  I'm not familiar with the other brands mentioned by others.
Reply:Thanks for the input, I ended up finding a used cold saw and purchased that until I can get the better quality bandsaw.  I decided that I'd stick with quality and not rush out after an import.  I found a nice Wells 12" cold saw that is in very good shape.  3 hp, 3 phase, but came with a phase converter and is ready to work.Lincoln 255 w/Prince Xl Spool GunLincoln Precision Tig 185Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 35 (too small)