12 inch Band Saw Suggestions

[Milton]

I inherited an old Craftsman 12inch band saw and it seems to need a lot of work to repair.I think instead the money I have saved would be better used on a new band saw that does not cost a lot.Any suggestions on a quality band saw at a relatively low price? I will be using this primarily for cutting wood.

 

[WTN1271]

I have an older Delta that was purchased at a moving sale. Probably 1980's vintage, works great, parts are still available if needed. Lots of lightly used equipment can be found on Craigslist, yard/estate sales, etc. if you are willing to search and don't need it right away. If buying new today I would look at Grizzly, Delta, Jet or Rigid on the low end, Rikon, Powematic, Laguna on the high end. They all make units at different price points and capabilities. Happy hunting.

 

[Milton]

Thank You !

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Depending on the manufacturer of the band-saw you inherited, you would be surprised the cost of a brand new machine of the same quality.

My wife's grandfather had Craftsman power tools from the late 40's and early 50's (he died in 52 or 53) those tools all still work fine and nothing of that quality is available today in these smaller sizes! The drill press, 8" blade 12" square table saw, 4" joiner and 14 or 15 inch Band saw were made for Sears, by the now long defunct King Sealy company. Motors are easily found at Granger and some machines need custom blades (Band saw or Table saw blades are custom made by "Saw Blade" companies all over the country! There are 2 right here in Columbus, Ohio!) NAPA is a good place to look for belts, bearings and pulleys.

But yes, if you got 1980's Sears Junk, just replace it. I like Powermatic when the budget is unlimited, but Jet and Delta/Rockwell have several sizes and qualities. So you should be able to come up with what you want/need.

I had a 20inch Hobart meat cutters band saw. I took the butcher's table off and built a heavy wooden table and used those bone cutting blades to cut the hardest woods and plastics. I even did lots of resawing of Tiger Stripe and Birdseye Maple for jewelry boxes (and a couple of pistol presentation cases). I also turned old walnut barn beams into small planks for my projects at virtually no cost!

Necessity is the mother of invention! That's the old saying and it seems to be true today too.

Ivan

 

[chief38]

I do not own a Band Saw but operated one at my Dad's old house many times. His was an older Delta and it worked pretty well. From what I've seen of new ones lately, if I were in the market for one I'd do my research and then look for that old vintage model on ebay, machinery resellers, etc. I am not impressed by the new Chinesium imported machines!!

 

[Milton]

That's one of the problems I keep seeing while looking on the web for new saws;they all appear to be made in China and appear marginal at best in use.
I'll keep looking,no hurry.

 

[rustythread]

I suggest that you take a look at owwm.org. This site is for afficionados of older American-made woodworking equipment, and is full of helpful hands-on experts in restoring these machines. They also have classified sections for buying and selling parts and machines.

They have an affiliated site with parts lists, and other ephemera relating to this machinery.

Great group of people, who have helped me immensely in dealing with my rusty arn. Costs nothing to join, although it is considered polite to make a small donation if you download any of the documents.

 

[yaktamer]

Dad's old Delta was a great machine.