Which band saw should I buy?

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So I'm looking into buying a cheap bandsaw. I really like the ones with the swivel head. I work for an industrial supplier so I can get some for pretty cheap. But right now, my options are:The Grizzly one: $575 +ShippingThe Jet one: $680 Free shipping (Through my work)The Shop Fox one: $450 Free shipping (My work)The South Bend one: $730 Free shipping (My work)Agrisupply one: $230 +shipping I'm wondering if any of you guys are familer with these at all. Obviously the Shop Fox one stands out due to it's price and places like Northern Tool I think sell them for about $999 but I'm wondering stuff like is the South Bend one (Same company as Shop Fox, both Woodstock International) worth the extra $180?Let me know your thoughts.
Reply:What sizes are those?Personally I would get pretty much any 7x12. They are all basically the same unless you get something like an ellis.
Reply:I can't be of help with the other brands as I've never used them, but Jet and Grizzly are usually the same machine with some small bit of difference (often just the paint color). Grizzly also does a fair job of subsidizing the shipping expense. If you end up with a Jet model, buy any parts you may need in the future from Grizzly as they are cheaper.With that said...if they look similar, you didn't include model numbers or links, you can bet they are. I would think, and could be wrong, the the South Bend model may have a bit more engineering done on the design by Grizzly to aid the reputation of a machine produced for them.Last edited by WyoRoy; 01-11-2013 at 08:59 AM.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:I'm sorry, they're all the 5" x 6" with a swivel mast. Grizzly's model is G9742. I need the swivel mast so I can put it up against the wall and don't have to move it for accomodating angles.  And I cut at a lot of different angles so it would make keeping the vise square a lot easier. I'm not sure what the relationship between grizzly and south bend is, but they look pretty much the same but I don't think they're the same company but Grizzly sells South Bend product. I was told South Bend is considered the "Cadillac" brand. I also forgot to mention there's also the Northern Tool brand which is $499 and I may be able to get it at $399 if it goes on sale or I find a 20% off coupon. In which case I can ship to store for free and get free shipping and no tax which would probably seal the deal for me. Biggest difference is it has a 1/3hp motor and the Grizzly and South Bend have a 1/2hp motor. Not sure if it makes that much difference though...
Reply:Grizzly and South Bend are owned by the same individual. A few years ago he bought out the parts inventory, name and whatever else was left of South Bend...so take the Cadillac brand with a dose of salt.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:So the owner of Grizzly bought out Woodstock? Because Woodstock still claims South Bend as one of their brands and I was told by one of their representatives that they are the sole supplier of South Bend but that could have just been their lathes.
Reply:Originally Posted by EcondronSo the owner of Grizzly bought out Woodstock? Because Woodstock still claims South Bend as one of their brands and I was told by one of their representatives that they are the sole supplier of South Bend but that could have just been their lathes.
Reply:yep, South Bend went belly-up years ago  .  grizzly bought the name and rebadged its chinese machineswith it.any reason not to buy a real, quality used saw?  i have a 1960's Kalamazoo 816 that i paid $800 for . i paid$1000 for my 1950's DoAll vertical.   these ain't throwaway chinese saws that last 5 - 8 years and die . they weremade to last a lifetime -i use both just about every day- not to mention that they kick *** and cut great .look for DoAll (the -real- cadillac of saws! ), wells , kalamazoo , johnson , amada , marvel , peerless.... the trouble is that it might take a while to get a used saw where you live and at the right price.good luckMiller S60 feederCobramatic push/pull feederMiller CP-252tsLincoln Tig250/Tig250Lincoln weldpak 100 -italianC-H 90A- italianHarris & Victor O\Afull manual & CNC machine shop
Reply:Yeah unfortunately there aren't any cheap used saws near me. Craigslist search for bandsaw comes up with very few listings. My plan is to buy the cheap one for my garage, then upgrade things to super duty one day when I have a shop. Gotta finish college first!
Reply:I have to agree with tnmgcarbide. I owned a Grizzly horz. bandsaw prior to finding a used Ellis. While the Grizzly cut well, the quality of its construction, while adequate, was not of the same precision or durability of a used chunk of American iron. Same can be said of Jet. I also own an old South Bend lathe and it will last far longer than the larger/newer Jet model that sits next to it. One of my life's disappointments is after having looked for several years for a used American built lathe in a larger size than my little 9" South Bend I finally gave up and bought a Jet 14 X 40. Two months later a local machine shop had a rebuilt Monarch for sale for roughly the same price.BTW, put your location in...might get lucky.Last edited by WyoRoy; 01-11-2013 at 10:11 AM.Lincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:Well I'm located by the Illinois Wisconsin border, Eastern side. I'll keep checking craigslist!
Reply:I'm having no issues with my Jet of a similar size, but it woud be nice if the head did swivel.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:stay far away from anything that says    -Carolina -  worst POS ever .  they're big and cheap ... and junk.Carolina saws are the "White Van Speakers "  of  machinery .  Back in the '80s-90's  guys used to drivearound in trucks  with a bandsaw in the back that they were "desperate to get rid of"  and would letsome sucker take off his hands for a "steal"  of around $300 . there's always one for sale somewhere , because nobody wants the thing.Miller S60 feederCobramatic push/pull feederMiller CP-252tsLincoln Tig250/Tig250Lincoln weldpak 100 -italianC-H 90A- italianHarris & Victor O\Afull manual & CNC machine shop
Reply:here's a kysor-johnson model R http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/3537352385.htmlMiller S60 feederCobramatic push/pull feederMiller CP-252tsLincoln Tig250/Tig250Lincoln weldpak 100 -italianC-H 90A- italianHarris & Victor O\Afull manual & CNC machine shop
Reply:I have Trajan 7x12 metal cutting band saw. It's a Jet style band saw. Got it for $1350. But its head doesn't swivel like the one you wanted. Well, I actually have other band saw with 2-way swivel but its the miter one.
Reply:I have one of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACCURA-01079...item4abfbb6af0I'm pretty happy with it. Those little ones you mentioned are harbor freight quality. Have you seen one in person?Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:Look on the Baileigh web site.  I bought there model BS-128M for $595 last year, pivots to the right 45 deg, 60 deg to the left you have to move the vise to the right.  Well build machine was set up to cut straight right from the factory. From you location its only 130 mile drive to Manitowoc to pick it up. Baileigh is also adding on to there building. I also bought there TN-250 notcherduane
Reply:Saw this on the Mpls CL. It says Elgin so maybe it is in IL?http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...548054089.html