Need help with Bandsaws $1000 to spend

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Ok I need a little kickstart with getting a bandsaw. All I have now is a 14" Dewalt chopsaw and a good ole Victor torch.  14" chopsaws have there place but just don't always do the best of jobs when the metals get thicker.Biggest I will cut is probably a 7" pipe. Actually is more like 6 5/8 but 7" round is big enough.  Lots of square tubing and pipe though in the 3 to 4 inch range all around 3/16 thick.Looking to spend say $1000.I see a Jet 7" round max in the northern tool book for right at $1000.  I hear they are good machines.Would this be my best option as far as quality and strength of the machine for my money.Anything I need to watch out for or options I diffenently need to get?
Reply:I've heard lots of good comments on the 7x12" saws. They are common so blades are easy to find. Jet, Northern, Grizzly, HF all have brands of the same basic saw. I would hope that the extra $$ for the Jet buys a little better quality control and customer service. Check out the coolant and downfeed systems for differences. I have the slightly smaller 6x10 gear head which I am happy with for my home shop because I got it at a smokin' sale price. The 85" blades are not commom though. The slowest gear stripped out when a sliver jammed in the guard and Northern replaced the saw. The belt drive on the 7x12 should be more robust.Lincoln SA200, HH135, Lencospot, HF80 Inverter, Rockwell 11x35 lathe, HF drill mill, Kama 554 tractor w/ FEL & BH, Belarus 250AS, lot's of Chinese tools
Reply:When price is always a factor for me, and I want the best bang for the buck with fairly good quality I look at the Grizzly machines. I have several grizzly machines and they are great quality for the money. I never had a problem with the machines its self. I did have the hydrallic feed go out on my bandsaw and they sent me a new one, no questions asked, and free of charge. I always get great customer service from them. Jet also makes good machines for the money but I have no experience with there customer service.For a 1000 dollar bandsaw, the only place that you will be able to get one from is Taiwan.This one or the other one should fit your billhttp://www.grizzly.com/products/6-1-...-Bandsaw/G4030http://www.grizzly.com/products/7-x-...-Bandsaw/G0561
Reply:i just bought the grizzly g0613 saw i wanted to do miter cuts tooand a reg. band saw cuts miters like a chop sawshould be here next week let you know how it is Attached Images
Reply:Great, let me know how it worksI'll take a look at the Grizzly's.  Hopefully somone will come along that has a  bunch of experience with Jet's.  As far as I see the Grizz has a 1hp engine where the jet has a 3/4 i believe.  I see where they are 120/220 capable.  Is there any reason to wire one or the other.  I have both.
Reply:Grizzly also makes a Geared head for $500 more. its a 1.5hp engine... getting a little out of reach though unless its way better
Reply:I see where they are 120/220 capable. Is there any reason to wire one or the other. I have both
Reply:i would have gone with the g0614 but its 3 phase
Reply:I'll look into that oneI just think its time to get something besides my chopsaw. I have some 3" pipe at about 3/16 thick and some 3 by 5 inch rectangle thats about 3/16.  My chopsaw just can't handle it.
Reply:I guess im looking at these three... trying to make a decisionjet 7*12 http://www.westerntool.com/product.htm?pid=421002Grizzly 7*12  http://www.grizzly.com/products/7-x-...-Bandsaw/G0561Grizzly 7*12 Geared head http://www.grizzly.com/products/7-x-...-Bandsaw/G9743
Reply:I would buy a wilton before the Jet. But they are both about the same.
Reply:I wouldn't pay extra for the quick change gear box. I think the belt drive is more robust and the parts are more common.I think a big advantage of Grizzly is that they stock parts for their machines. After the warranty expires, that is a big factor. When my gearbox went south, the parts were listed at Grizzly for about $40 delivered. Northern had no system to accomodate repairs so they replaced the entire saw under warranty. Now that my warranty is expired, for any future repair parts I will be begging at Grizzly.Edit: Just noticed this Northern version version on sale for $620. It is the same saw. $300+ is hard to make up in improved service.http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...t_6970_607_607Read the reviews.Last edited by Brad Blazer; 07-19-2008 at 09:14 AM.Lincoln SA200, HH135, Lencospot, HF80 Inverter, Rockwell 11x35 lathe, HF drill mill, Kama 554 tractor w/ FEL & BH, Belarus 250AS, lot's of Chinese tools
Reply:grizzlys customer service is great and they will charge $32.00for drop gate
Reply:get the grizzly, they are pretty decent saws.
Reply:yeah, im trying to figure out if there is any difference at all really.Is the Jet's 3/4hp engine a name brand or that strong of an engine that they think its gonna hold its on. The Grizzly uses a 1hp on there model and a 1.5hp on the Geared head?Also, whats the deal with the Geared Head?  Is this taking the place of the belt drive or something. To me I would think you would want a belt just incase of getting a bind in the saw.
Reply:I would seriously consider the swivel head saw, if you make any angle cuts.  They require less space for operation.  Stands and stops can be attached to the saw and are always in the same relative position to the blade.  They are also easier to set up for angle cuts.Otherwies, I would choose the cheapest fixed head saw that gets the job done.
Reply:see thats the thing.  I will be cutting some angles I may need to look at the Grizzly G0613 7" x 8-1/4" Swivel.Is there any downfalls of a swivel head vs. a fixed head?
Reply:I bought the 7 x 12 one from Princessauto. It't the Canadian version of harbor freight. I love this saw and have sure put it through it paces. Here is a link to the harbor freight one like minehttp://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...bCategoryName=also here is a pic of mine at workHope this helps.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:I noticed the G0613 7" x 8-1/4" Swivel Metal-Cutting Bandsaw appears to only have 1 blade speed at 314fpm.  Most of the fixed blades around this size have 3-4 different speeds.  Seems a little strange.But do you use the different speeds a lot or just wide open all the time.  Might be a dumb question but im used to the good ole chop saw with one speed.